Topic: Environment

NPS Issues Decision on the American Camp Visitor Center Replacement Project

Written on March 7, 2019 at 5:43 am, by

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA – San Juan Island National Historical Park today announced the availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the 2018 Replace American Camp Temporary Visitor Center Environmental Assessment (EA). The FONSI, which was signed by National Park Service Pacific West Regional Director Stan Austin, identifies the selected alternative and is  Continue Reading

An Update from the Islands’ Oil Spill Association

Written on March 6, 2019 at 5:44 am, by

In Eastsound on February 26th nearly 30 people from a range of backgrounds and skillsets gathered for the second monthly meeting of the 2019 Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) Action Team. This group of interested volunteers has been working tirelessly since the beginning of the year in an effort to revitalize IOSA’s ability to respond  Continue Reading

A River’s Last Chance

Written on March 4, 2019 at 5:50 am, by

Friday Harbor Film Festival Winter Series – Best of the Fest – Tuesday, March 5th at the Grange at 7:00 pm A River’s Last Chance: A Story of Salmon, Timber, Weed and Wine along the Mighty Eel River – the award winning film about saving our Salmon and rivers. The Eel River in Northern California  Continue Reading

Garry Oak Lecture Series

Written on February 28, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

Garry Oak Prairie: A Unique Habitat (Lecture Series) What are Garry Oaks and how do Garry Oak habitats support the ecology of the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest? Join experts from San Juan Island and beyond March 8,15, 22 and 29 at the San Juan Island Grange to learn about the history of  Continue Reading

Know Your Islanders Talk

Written on February 28, 2019 at 5:46 am, by

Adam Summers – The Sea: Inspiration for Art and Science Dr. Adam Summers, who runs the Comparative Vertebrate Biomechanics Lab at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, will present a naturalist’s opinion on nature as a source of inspiration for art and science.   Monday, March 4 at 7 pm San Juan Island Library Free Refreshments will  Continue Reading

Friends Celebrates 40 Years

Written on February 27, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

Dear Editor, This year Friends of the San Juans celebrates 40 years of protecting and restoring the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature. Over the next few months our members will be sharing their memories about the role Friends has played to protect what they love about the islands. These  Continue Reading

Calling all Tree-Loving, Bunny-Hugging, Dirt Worshipers!

Written on February 26, 2019 at 5:45 am, by

Don’t forget — it’s award season here in the San Juans! The Oscars have nothing on the Finnies. Know someone who deserves to walk the stewardship red carpet? Nominate them for a Good Steward Award! Since 2008, the Good Steward Awards, affectionately known as “Finnies,” have been sponsored by the Stewardship Network of the San  Continue Reading

English Camp at Rest

Written on February 25, 2019 at 5:55 am, by

John Miller shares this view of English Camp taken on Saturday morning just when the sun broke through the clouds. Thanks John!

Green Tips to Help You Find an Eco-Friendlier New Home

Written on February 24, 2019 at 8:42 pm, by

This guest post was written by Neil Stawski… If you are looking to live a greener life, there’s no better place to start than your home. This is why it’s important for home buyers to be on the lookout for features that can help lessen their impact on the environment. Not sure what those features  Continue Reading

Court Ruling Clears Hurdle toward Lasting Protections for Puget Sound Shorelines

Written on February 8, 2019 at 5:20 am, by

Thanks to Katie Fleming at the Friends of the San Juans for sending us this report…  On February 6, a federal judge rejected an effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its refusal to adequately protect shoreline areas in Puget Sound. The Court’s decision means the lawsuit, which charges that  Continue Reading

Welcome Jennifer Barcelos

Written on February 1, 2019 at 5:55 am, by

Friends of the San Juans is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Barcelos as incoming staff attorney and Director of Law and Policy. Following a nationwide search for a transformative leader, Jennifer Barcelos has joined our team as Director of Law and Policy. In her new role, Jennifer will be responsible for protecting the  Continue Reading

7th Annual San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit

Written on January 24, 2019 at 9:17 am, by

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit returns to San Juan Island February 2nd  and 3rd for the 7th year of education and celebration of the islands’ food and farming communities.  Offering a selection of twenty different workshops and sessions, this year’s Summit is sure to have something for everyone engaged with our local food system.  Continue Reading

Master Gardeners Native Plant Sale

Written on January 21, 2019 at 9:17 am, by

  Interested in using native plants in your landscape? There are many wonderful reasons to use PNW natives: they are often long lived and don’t need maintenance, they provide year-round color and garden interest, they can be used to stabilize hillsides and prevent erosion, and some are drought and heat tolerant, helpful in a warming  Continue Reading

SMP is Compliant

Written on January 18, 2019 at 5:41 am, by

WA State determines San Juan County’s Shoreline Master Program is compliant with state law On January 8, 2019, the State Growth Management Hearings Board found that San Juan County’s Shoreline Master Program including its shoreline management regulations comply with the State’s Shoreline Management Act.  San Juan County adopted Ordinance 21 – 2018 that addressed areas  Continue Reading

Letter from OPALCO

Written on January 12, 2019 at 5:53 am, by

WSF: Electrify the San Juan Islands Ferry Routes FIRST Don’t delay protection of the Salish Sea The current WS Ferries Long range plan for deploying electric ferries puts the San Juan routes last on the list. Why lose decades in our efforts to protect the Salish Sea – and all of the species who depend  Continue Reading

Local Research Finds New Forage Fish Spawning Beaches

Written on January 9, 2019 at 5:49 am, by

Did you know that our local sand and gravel beaches nurture incubating fish eggs? These eggs are virtually undetectable to the naked eye and come from two species of marine fish – surf smelt and Pacific sand lance. These species are among those referred to as “forage fish” for the vital role they play in  Continue Reading