I saw this article online and thought it was worthy of sharing, so the author, Jen, wrote this short introduction for the San Juan Update. We humans really need to wake up and make some changes… The world’s oceans are being polluted by trash every minute of every day. At least 8 million metric tons  Continue Reading

From Orcas Fire and Rescue… Orcas Island Fire and Rescue personnel responded to multiple reports of smoke in the 4000-block of Point Lawrence Road on the afternoon of August 24. Crews quickly triangulated a slow-moving wildland fire with aerial support provided by local pilot Pat Muffett. After completing a size-up the fire was determined to  Continue Reading

Friends of the San Juans (Friends) is pleased to welcome R. Brent Lyles as incoming Executive Director. He will begin his tenure on September 16 and will lead the 40-year-old organization in its longstanding mission — to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature. Brent comes to  Continue Reading

Join the MAC Meeting on August 27, 9:00am -5:00pm, Pacific Time (see Zoom link below)… Click on photo to enlarge… The MAC (Monument Advisory Committee) will be hearing from subject matter experts and the public to inform their deliberations as they discuss and present their input to the BLM. The full meeting agenda (PDF) can  Continue Reading

State receives more than $11 million in federal grants to benefit Southern Resident killer whale and Chinook recovery… The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) today announced the award of more than $11 million in grants to 11 Chinook salmon habitat and hatchery projects from a new grant program under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.  Continue Reading

San Juan County Land Bank is seeking public input on its updated Interim Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP) for the Zylstra Lake Preserve on San Juan Island. This updated interim plan details the Preserve’s abundant wildlife and habitat areas; provides a collaborative strategy for engaging with agricultural interests; and proposes opening approximately two miles of trail this  Continue Reading

Great news from San Juan Preservation Trust! Record gift expends Turtleback Preserve plus the precedent-setting donation also returns land to the Lummi Nation. The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust today announced the acquisition and permanent conservation of a 36-acre addition to the Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island. Concurrently, an  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Summer 2020 Virtual Cinema will present a FREE virtual on-demand screening of The Story of Plastic anytime on July 16, 17, 18, and 19, followed by a hosted Q&A on July 19 at 6 pm PDT.  To view the film and participate in the virtual Q&A, RSVP at www.fhff.org. Once you  Continue Reading

COVID 19 is creating many unique challenges for literally everyone and the Land Bank is no exception. The Land Bank typically uses a variety of strategies to achieve stewardship activities including volunteer work parties, collaborating with partners, engaging special interest groups, and leveraging help from youth conservation corps type organizations. At this time we are  Continue Reading

Your Conservation Land Bank turns 30 this year and is celebrating with a multi-island exploration. Every preserve has a story – gather your family and get outside this summer to discover what your public lands have to say! The San Juan County Land Bank teamed up with the Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island libraries  Continue Reading

FREEZER BURNED: Tales of Interior Alaska is a new regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi… Nearly every molecule of water that now covers 70% of our planet was spewed in awesome volcanic eruptions or carried frozen in asteroids or comets that pummeled a lifeless earth for eons.   Any given water  Continue Reading

We are living in a time of unprecedented trial. In an effort to bring you a much-needed reconnection to the natural world, Friends of the San Juans would like to invite you to attend an upcoming Zoom presentation with Peter Cavanagh. Are you experiencing travel withdrawal after months of lockdown and cancelled travel plans? Peter  Continue Reading

Applications are being accepted for the Executive Director of the Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA). Complete details on position and how to apply are available online at: https://iosaonline.org/employment/ As part of IOSA’s ongoing rebuild, this position will be responsible for day to day operations of the organization. This includes overseeing volunteers and future paid staff,  Continue Reading

Fact Check of Whalen Petition Dear Editor and Community, We recently received in the mail Mr. Ron Whalen’s request to have us sign a petition to eliminate the Land Bank by December 2020. The request was loaded with falsehoods and outrageously attempted to dupe our community into thinking that a yes or no answer meant  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update Mailbag today we have this letter from Alice Hurd, Former Trustee of the San Juan Preservation Trust… I am writing to share my concern about an initiative petition being circulated in San Juan County for the purpose of putting a measure on the November ballot to close down the San Juan  Continue Reading

All permits issued for burning commercial or residential burns are expiring as the burn season has come to a close. Campfires, burning charcoal or firewood, remain allowed in contained campfire bowls, stoves, or rings remain allowed in sizes up to 3 foot in diameter.  Please check burning rules frequently for burn risk notifications and burn  Continue Reading