Topic: Nature

Tide Bites

Written on July 2, 2019 at 5:46 am, by

Traditions and Transitions Friday Harbor Laboratories Director Billie J. Swalla’s connection with FHL has spanned several decades. She moved to the University of Washington in 1999 as an Assistant Professor for the opportunity to work and teach at FHL. In 2012 she was Acting Director, then became Interim Director and was appointed FHL Director in  Continue Reading

Summer Activities at Zylstra Lake

Written on July 1, 2019 at 5:49 am, by

There’s a lot going on at the Land Bank’s Zylstra Lake Preserve this summer and beyond. This 285-acre preserve was acquired in 2017 with goals of providing public access to the land and water, supporting wildlife conservation, and enabling compatible farming activities. Although not yet open to the public, the months ahead hold a number  Continue Reading

Summer 2019 Update from the SJC Land Bank

Written on June 29, 2019 at 5:50 am, by

The Land Bank would like to share some of the things we’ve been doing for the community recently. At Mount Grant Preserve on San Juan there are now three trails open with more on the way! Instead of hiking up the road, two new trails (one multi-use, one pedestrian) now make their way through the  Continue Reading

A Definitive Fork in the Road

Written on June 4, 2019 at 9:16 am, by

In the mailbag this morning, we have this letter from Steve Ulvi… I have been unusually fortunate to have spent a lifetime finding deep fulfillment and direction for my troubled mind in expansive forests, on mountain slopes and coursing wild rivers. My youthful day dreaming, fueled by adventure stories before sleep, culminated in finding a  Continue Reading

2019 Garden Tour

Written on June 3, 2019 at 5:43 am, by

The 2019 Garden Tour is sponsored by the San Juan Island Garden Consortium. It’s June 8th from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are $15 and are available now at Ace Hardware, Browne’s Garden Center and Griffin Bay Books. Proceeds contribute to community projects of each organization.

Seaweed Ramble

Written on May 29, 2019 at 5:47 am, by

  Island Rec is offering a one-day class that will visit and traverse the intertidal seaweed flora at Cattle Point. Dr. Ryan Drum will lead the day’s excursion to attempt to identify all of the different seaweeds encountered! Dr. Drum is a Waldron Islander of 40 years and has a PhD in Botany. He has  Continue Reading

From the Mailbag

Written on May 17, 2019 at 5:43 am, by

Dear Editor, Friends of the San Juans has been committed to protecting our environment since 1979. Throughout those forty years, Friends’ dedication to that mission has never wavered. This is why I support the Friends and serve on the board. A major issue still facing the San Juans is the seven-fold increase in tanker traffic  Continue Reading

Youth Heritage Project

Written on May 9, 2019 at 5:35 am, by

Here’s an educational and recreational opportunity for high school aged youth and teachers… It’s the Youth Heritage Project (YHP) – an annual multi-day heritage field school that engages participants by connecting them to historic, cultural, and natural resources in Washington. YHP engages students hands-on as they expand their knowledge about historic preservation and develop an  Continue Reading

Rock Flowers

Written on May 8, 2019 at 9:29 am, by

Kevin Holmes shares this photo of flowers growing out of the rocks at the shoreline. Tenacious little things, don’t you think? Thanks for sharing Kevin!

Living in the Future’s Past

Written on May 3, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

“Can looking at evolution help us predict the future of humanity?” – Jeff Bridges Friday Harbor Film Festival invites you to a free screening of the award winning documentary, Living in the Future’s Past on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Brickworks. Academy Award winner, Jeff Bridges shares the screen with scientists, profound  Continue Reading

Climate Change Prevention: Eco-Friendly Changes You Can Make to Fight Global Warming

Written on April 16, 2019 at 8:48 am, by

The following article was written by Neil Stawski… As much as the skeptics and critics might try to deny climate change, the signs that it’s a critical issue are all around us. The evidence of global warming can be found in the death of our coral reefs due to the increased temperatures of our ocean  Continue Reading

Ocean Outbreak

Written on April 12, 2019 at 5:44 am, by

Book Talk: Drew Harvell will discuss her book, Ocean Outbreak: Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease. This presentation will include updates on Sea Star Wasting Disease and salmon health in our Puget Sound waters. Drew is a local author and resident scientist at Friday Harbor Laboratories. A book signing and reception will follow the  Continue Reading

Welcome to the 2019 WSU San Juan County Master Gardener Interns

Written on April 2, 2019 at 2:00 pm, by

Congratulations to the 28 community members who completed 60 hours of classroom and online training on vegetable and fruit gardening, use of native plants, forestry, ornamentals and landscape gardening, composting, plant problem diagnosis, pest control and integrated pest management, soils and more to become WSU Master Gardener Interns. As Interns, volunteers contribute 50 hours of  Continue Reading

April 4th is Arbor Day in Friday Harbor

Written on April 1, 2019 at 2:48 pm, by

The Town of Friday Harbor will celebrate its second annual Arbor Day this Thursday, April 4, 2019. The public is invited to join in recognizing the event. Mayor Ghatan will be issuing a proclamation for Arbor Day during the Town Council meeting and the Parks Department will plant an Easter Red Bud on Argyle Avenue  Continue Reading

BUZZ: The Nature and Necessity of Bees

Written on March 22, 2019 at 1:47 pm, by

Griffin Bay Bookstore is proud to announce that San Juan Island author, Thor Hanson, author of The Triumph of Seeds and Feathers, has won his third Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association award, receiving the 2019 PNBA award for BUZZ: The Nature and Necessity of Bees. Please join us at the San Juan Island Library when Griffin  Continue Reading

A Change of Seasons?

Written on March 18, 2019 at 5:50 am, by

Winter is almost over – Spring is officially only a few days away and it shows. Crocuses are popping all over the place.