National Monument Parties

Numerous areas in the San Juans including the Cattle Point Lighthouse area of San Juan Island (foreground) and the southern tip of Lopez Island at Iceberg Point (background) were recently designated National Monument Status – Tim Dustrude photo

The public will have two opportunities on Monday April 1st to celebrate our new National Monument status with some of the leaders who helped make it possible. In addition to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and leaders from the Bureau of Land Management, we expect Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Rick Larsen to attend. Both events are open to the public.

Monday morning: Interior Secretary Salazar will host an event in Anacortes to celebrate the San Juan Islands National Monument. As Salazar put it:

“I look forward to seeing you on Monday morning to celebrate this great milestone that you all have been so instrumental in achieving. I regret that time and resource restrictions won’t allow me to make it all the way to the San Juan Islands on this trip, but I look forward to spending time there, at one of our nation’s greatest crown jewels, in the future. Neil Kornze, the BLM’s Principal Deputy Director is the lucky one who will represent me at the local celebration on the islands Monday afternoon.”

Monday afternoon: There will be a community celebration and potluck at the Lopez Center at 5:30 pm. Representatives of the BLM, including Acting Director Neil Kornze, will be there to answer questions. There will be entertainment and food (bring salads, sides and desserts). You will have an opportunity to sign your name to posters that will be provided to key officials who have helped make the National Monument a reality.

Anacortes Event: 10:00am at the Anacortes Senior Center Great Room, 1701 22nd St.

Lopez Island Event: 5:30pm at Lopez Center, 204 Village Rd.

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