Programs & Events

Shoreline Stewardship Program Eelgrass Protection Program Workshops & Events Tribal Partnerships Anti-Litter Program

Shoreline Species & Habitats

Forage Fish Eelgrass Kelp Salmon Coastal Forests

Human Impacts

Shoreline Armoring Docks Clearing & Grading Stormwater Toxins in Our Water Voluntary Conservation Programs

FRIENDS holds multiple workshops and events each year to provide important scientific and policy information to a wide range of audiences, including property owners, teachers, realtors, contractors, land managers and the general public, with the goal of increasing stewardship awareness and action by all SJC residents.  FRIENDS also participates in many community events- look for us at the County and Orcas Library Fairs.

Workshops

FRIENDS sponsors technical workshops for a range of target audiences, including realtors, landowners, contractors, land managers and teachers.  Past workshops include: Water in San Juan County Realtor Workshop; Shoreline Armoring training session for county planners; Land Development Permits and Practices: the good, the bad and the ugly Workshop for excavating contractors; Living with the Shoreline Landowner Education Program; and Forage fishes and the Beach- Educator Workshop.  Contact FRIENDS for a copy of workshop presentations and handouts.

Recent lectures have included presentations on Toxins in our Waters, Marine Debris, Endangered Species and Habitats, Living with the Shoreline and Low Impact Development.

From neighborhood groups to college or grade school classes, FRIENDS staff lead interpretive nearshore educational beach walks tailored for each group. 

Each spring FRIENDS coordinates community group, individual, and student efforts to clean beaches around the county.  Adopt your favorite beach and download the beach cleanup form so your data can be used to improve marine habitat protection protections.

Each Summer, the City Cantbile Choir, directed by Fred West, conducts a "musical celebration of the environment" at Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island.  This annual summer solstice event is dedicated to the recovery of the resident orca population.

The event is co-sponsored by: City Cantbile Choir, FRIENDS of the San Juans, The Whale Museum, People for Puget Sound, and the American Cetacean Society (Puget Sound Chapter).

Join us for our Annual Meeting at the Ellis Biological Preserve on Shaw Island.  This event is usually held the second or third weekend in September and includes tours of the preserve, a guest speaker and awards for Best Friend of the Year.

FRIENDS partners with other local conservation organizations to develop and host the annual Conservation Summit.  The purpose of this event is to encourage protection of the environment in the San Juans Islands by showcasing and honoring individuals and groups who do an exceptional job of this.  link

The Canoe Journey is a significant cultural event for many Canadian and Washington State tribes and serves as an effective anti-drug and alcohol alternative for its participants.  FRIENDS helps to ho-st the Canoe families during their journey through the ecologically and culturally important waters of the Salish Sea.