Topic: Nature
Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor
Written on September 15, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Fred Schumacher shares this awesome photo he shot from the air of the sun shining on Friday Harbor. Be sure to click on it to see a larger version. Thanks for sharing Fred! Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor – Or, at least it looked like it Monday evening from a Kenmore Caravan heading North to Continue Reading
Pub Talk in Bothell on Island Marble Butterfly
Written on September 14, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Amy Lambert, lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, will be giving a Pub Night Talk: “Encountering Rarity: Restoring the Endangered Island Marble Butterfly”. Once thought to be extinct, the Island Marble butterfly is making a comeback in the San Juan Islands. Lambert, a conservation biologist, explains why saving the Continue Reading
Save Our Shorelines
Written on September 13, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from Safe Shippers… Proudly, our San Juan County Council Members recently joined their Canadian counterparts, the Islands Trust Council, in calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to abandon the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project, once and for all. As Safe Shippers well know, if approved, this project would increase tanker traffic by 700% Continue Reading
The Wild Side: Knock on Wood–All About Woodpeckers
Written on September 9, 2018 at 6:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
What types of woodpeckers might you see on the San Juan Islands? How can you tell if they are living in your woodland? Join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Center to find out more about these fascinating birds and their important role in our local forests. Refreshments are courtesy Continue Reading
Know Your Island Walk
Written on August 21, 2018 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
Bill Severson with the SJI Trails Committee invites you to this hike next Saturday… Doug McCutchen with the Land Bank will lead us on a walk on Mount Grant. Maybe he can show us progress on the trail system in the Mount Grant preserve. Terrain is moderate mostly on road surfaces. Dogs on leash are Continue Reading
Explore The Salish Sea: A Nature Guide For Kids
Written on August 15, 2018 at 9:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are excited to host an evening for both kids and adults. Come out for Joe Gaydos’ lively and inter-active book talk– Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids— at the Library on Wednesday, August 22, 7:00 pm. This is a book that children and Continue Reading
Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?
Written on August 6, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
“Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?” with David George Gordon Author and Washington Humanities Speaker David George Gordon evaluates the data gathered about the legendary Northwest icon. David discusses the rules of critical thinking and explains how one can become an effective “citizen scientist” by gathering credible evidence that can be used to substantiate the Sasquatch’s status Continue Reading
First We Mourn; Then We Take Action
Written on July 31, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Safe Shippers and Friends of the San Juans share this with you… Our beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) suffered another loss this week. The world heard the news of J35’s deceased calf and sent back words of alarm and sympathy to us here in the Salish Sea. We mourn together – Let’s Continue Reading
Mount Grant Preserve
Written on July 25, 2018 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from the Land Bank regarding Mount Grant Preserve… Access to Mount Grant Preserve is via a private road, Richard Lee Lane, which is off West Valley Road. The current parking area and first 1/5 mile of road are on an easement over privately owned land. The barbed wire fence, floodlights, and security Continue Reading
Keith Keyser to talk on Permaculture
Written on July 20, 2018 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders can produce an abundance of food for their families while restoring degraded lands and fighting climate change. Tall order, you say? Permaculture designer Keith Keyser will show how it has been done elsewhere and how it can be done here. Join Keyser on Wednesday July 25th at the San Juan Island Grange Hall for Continue Reading
Discover Deadman: An Intertidal Walk
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:30 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
On Saturday, July 14 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm San Juan County Land Bank invites you to an intertidal walk at Deadman Bay Preserve… There’s more to the West Side of San Juan Island than orcas! Dr. Erika Iyengar, of Muhlenberg College and long-time researcher at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, returns to lead her Continue Reading
Superpod 6: Music and Fun at Lime Kiln Park
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
From Erin Corra of FOLKS, Friends of Lime Kiln Society… Join together with supporters of Lime Kiln Point State Park on Thursday, July 19 for a musical evening at our beautiful whale watch park. Bring a picnic and enjoy a sunset tour of the historic lighthouse with friends old and new. Who knows, maybe our Continue Reading
Save Wild Salmon Fundraiser
Written on July 9, 2018 at 5:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Sea Shepherd veteran Peter Jay Brown has founded a new campaign to save wild salmon… Drop in at Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar and show your support for Wild Salmon Preservation! Celebrate the launch of Gaia Network’s new campaign Wednesday July, 11th 5-9pm! Gaia Network was founded by Sea Shepherd Veteran Peter Jay Brown. Gaia Network’s new Continue Reading
The Land Bank Says Thank You!
Written on June 19, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders, thank you for “Getting Outdoors” and joining the Land Bank at our Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House last weekend. The response was incredible, with almost 200 visitors over the six-hour event, and on a busy June Saturday to boot! It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the property and to hear the community’s positive Continue Reading
Orca Sing 2018
Written on June 16, 2018 at 5:51 am, by Tim Dustrude
Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will Continue Reading
Orpha’s Lilacs Before the Bulldozer
Written on June 11, 2018 at 5:54 am, by Tim Dustrude
Those who have been reading the SJ Update for a while may recall a story from 4 years ago this month, “Before the Bulldozer“, describing how Friday Harbor resident Chinmayo saved a cherry tree that was growing on some land that was about to be bulldozed and developed for new construction. Well, she is at Continue Reading
Goldenback Trail
Written on May 27, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
National Trails Day Hike: Goldenback Trail Opens Saturday, June 2 at Westside Scenic Preserve, San Juan Island Thanks to the efforts of San Juan County Land Bank volunteers and staff, there is a new hiking trail at the Westside Scenic Preserve on San Juan Island. Join San Juan Island Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen, and Field Continue Reading
Friends Challenges Army Corps of Engineers
Written on May 25, 2018 at 7:14 am, by Tim Dustrude
Groups Challenge Army Corps of Engineers’ Refusal to Protect Puget Sound Shorelines Corps’ Seattle District violates Clean Water Act, endangers Sound recovery SEATTLE – A lawsuit filed today against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) charges that the agency has refused to assert its Clean Water Act jurisdiction over most shoreline armoring in Puget Continue Reading
Improvements to Local Spill Response Capacity
Written on May 22, 2018 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance local capacity to respond to oil and hazardous materials spills, three San Juan County organizations participated in the 2018 Washington State Department of Ecology Spill Response Grant Program. This program helps local communities that are at risk for oil and hazardous materials spills secure equipment and training to Continue Reading
Vegetation Workshops for Waterfront Property Owners
Written on April 28, 2018 at 5:53 am, by Tim Dustrude
The shorelines of San Juan County are part of a beautiful, complex and increasingly fragile marine ecosystem. Healthy coastal trees and shrubs help stabilize banks, provide for views, and support fish and wildlife. Attend a free workshop hosted by Friends of the San Juans to learn about cost effective and natural approaches to protecting waterfront Continue Reading
Year of the Bird Celebration
Written on April 27, 2018 at 9:28 am, by Tim Dustrude
Join the Land Bank, Wolf Hollow, The San Juan Preservation Trust, San Juan Island National Historical Park, and San Juan County Master Gardener Foundation as they celebrate the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act at Red Mill Farm on San Juan Island. Sunday, May 6th from 10:30am to 3:00pm at Red Mill Farm, San Juan Island. There Continue Reading
New Biggs Calf Video
Written on April 24, 2018 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
The babies are back! Bigg’s killer whales abound in the Salish Sea this spring. Ocean EcoVentures, member of Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) recently captured video footage (video credit Ocean EcoVentures and videographer – Tasli Shaw) of one of the newest members of the population, T065A6, a young calf probably less than one month old. Continue Reading
Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor
Written on September 15, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Fred Schumacher shares this awesome photo he shot from the air of the sun shining on Friday Harbor. Be sure to click on it to see a larger version. Thanks for sharing Fred! Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor – Or, at least it looked like it Monday evening from a Kenmore Caravan heading North to Continue Reading
Pub Talk in Bothell on Island Marble Butterfly
Written on September 14, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Amy Lambert, lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, will be giving a Pub Night Talk: “Encountering Rarity: Restoring the Endangered Island Marble Butterfly”. Once thought to be extinct, the Island Marble butterfly is making a comeback in the San Juan Islands. Lambert, a conservation biologist, explains why saving the Continue Reading
Save Our Shorelines
Written on September 13, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from Safe Shippers… Proudly, our San Juan County Council Members recently joined their Canadian counterparts, the Islands Trust Council, in calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to abandon the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project, once and for all. As Safe Shippers well know, if approved, this project would increase tanker traffic by 700% Continue Reading
The Wild Side: Knock on Wood–All About Woodpeckers
Written on September 9, 2018 at 6:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
What types of woodpeckers might you see on the San Juan Islands? How can you tell if they are living in your woodland? Join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Center to find out more about these fascinating birds and their important role in our local forests. Refreshments are courtesy Continue Reading
Know Your Island Walk
Written on August 21, 2018 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
Bill Severson with the SJI Trails Committee invites you to this hike next Saturday… Doug McCutchen with the Land Bank will lead us on a walk on Mount Grant. Maybe he can show us progress on the trail system in the Mount Grant preserve. Terrain is moderate mostly on road surfaces. Dogs on leash are Continue Reading
Explore The Salish Sea: A Nature Guide For Kids
Written on August 15, 2018 at 9:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are excited to host an evening for both kids and adults. Come out for Joe Gaydos’ lively and inter-active book talk– Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids— at the Library on Wednesday, August 22, 7:00 pm. This is a book that children and Continue Reading
Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?
Written on August 6, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
“Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?” with David George Gordon Author and Washington Humanities Speaker David George Gordon evaluates the data gathered about the legendary Northwest icon. David discusses the rules of critical thinking and explains how one can become an effective “citizen scientist” by gathering credible evidence that can be used to substantiate the Sasquatch’s status Continue Reading
First We Mourn; Then We Take Action
Written on July 31, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Safe Shippers and Friends of the San Juans share this with you… Our beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) suffered another loss this week. The world heard the news of J35’s deceased calf and sent back words of alarm and sympathy to us here in the Salish Sea. We mourn together – Let’s Continue Reading
Mount Grant Preserve
Written on July 25, 2018 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from the Land Bank regarding Mount Grant Preserve… Access to Mount Grant Preserve is via a private road, Richard Lee Lane, which is off West Valley Road. The current parking area and first 1/5 mile of road are on an easement over privately owned land. The barbed wire fence, floodlights, and security Continue Reading
Keith Keyser to talk on Permaculture
Written on July 20, 2018 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders can produce an abundance of food for their families while restoring degraded lands and fighting climate change. Tall order, you say? Permaculture designer Keith Keyser will show how it has been done elsewhere and how it can be done here. Join Keyser on Wednesday July 25th at the San Juan Island Grange Hall for Continue Reading
Discover Deadman: An Intertidal Walk
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:30 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
On Saturday, July 14 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm San Juan County Land Bank invites you to an intertidal walk at Deadman Bay Preserve… There’s more to the West Side of San Juan Island than orcas! Dr. Erika Iyengar, of Muhlenberg College and long-time researcher at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, returns to lead her Continue Reading
Superpod 6: Music and Fun at Lime Kiln Park
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
From Erin Corra of FOLKS, Friends of Lime Kiln Society… Join together with supporters of Lime Kiln Point State Park on Thursday, July 19 for a musical evening at our beautiful whale watch park. Bring a picnic and enjoy a sunset tour of the historic lighthouse with friends old and new. Who knows, maybe our Continue Reading
Save Wild Salmon Fundraiser
Written on July 9, 2018 at 5:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Sea Shepherd veteran Peter Jay Brown has founded a new campaign to save wild salmon… Drop in at Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar and show your support for Wild Salmon Preservation! Celebrate the launch of Gaia Network’s new campaign Wednesday July, 11th 5-9pm! Gaia Network was founded by Sea Shepherd Veteran Peter Jay Brown. Gaia Network’s new Continue Reading
The Land Bank Says Thank You!
Written on June 19, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders, thank you for “Getting Outdoors” and joining the Land Bank at our Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House last weekend. The response was incredible, with almost 200 visitors over the six-hour event, and on a busy June Saturday to boot! It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the property and to hear the community’s positive Continue Reading
Orca Sing 2018
Written on June 16, 2018 at 5:51 am, by Tim Dustrude
Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will Continue Reading
Orpha’s Lilacs Before the Bulldozer
Written on June 11, 2018 at 5:54 am, by Tim Dustrude
Those who have been reading the SJ Update for a while may recall a story from 4 years ago this month, “Before the Bulldozer“, describing how Friday Harbor resident Chinmayo saved a cherry tree that was growing on some land that was about to be bulldozed and developed for new construction. Well, she is at Continue Reading
Goldenback Trail
Written on May 27, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
National Trails Day Hike: Goldenback Trail Opens Saturday, June 2 at Westside Scenic Preserve, San Juan Island Thanks to the efforts of San Juan County Land Bank volunteers and staff, there is a new hiking trail at the Westside Scenic Preserve on San Juan Island. Join San Juan Island Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen, and Field Continue Reading
Friends Challenges Army Corps of Engineers
Written on May 25, 2018 at 7:14 am, by Tim Dustrude
Groups Challenge Army Corps of Engineers’ Refusal to Protect Puget Sound Shorelines Corps’ Seattle District violates Clean Water Act, endangers Sound recovery SEATTLE – A lawsuit filed today against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) charges that the agency has refused to assert its Clean Water Act jurisdiction over most shoreline armoring in Puget Continue Reading
Improvements to Local Spill Response Capacity
Written on May 22, 2018 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance local capacity to respond to oil and hazardous materials spills, three San Juan County organizations participated in the 2018 Washington State Department of Ecology Spill Response Grant Program. This program helps local communities that are at risk for oil and hazardous materials spills secure equipment and training to Continue Reading
Vegetation Workshops for Waterfront Property Owners
Written on April 28, 2018 at 5:53 am, by Tim Dustrude
The shorelines of San Juan County are part of a beautiful, complex and increasingly fragile marine ecosystem. Healthy coastal trees and shrubs help stabilize banks, provide for views, and support fish and wildlife. Attend a free workshop hosted by Friends of the San Juans to learn about cost effective and natural approaches to protecting waterfront Continue Reading
Year of the Bird Celebration
Written on April 27, 2018 at 9:28 am, by Tim Dustrude
Join the Land Bank, Wolf Hollow, The San Juan Preservation Trust, San Juan Island National Historical Park, and San Juan County Master Gardener Foundation as they celebrate the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act at Red Mill Farm on San Juan Island. Sunday, May 6th from 10:30am to 3:00pm at Red Mill Farm, San Juan Island. There Continue Reading
New Biggs Calf Video
Written on April 24, 2018 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
The babies are back! Bigg’s killer whales abound in the Salish Sea this spring. Ocean EcoVentures, member of Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) recently captured video footage (video credit Ocean EcoVentures and videographer – Tasli Shaw) of one of the newest members of the population, T065A6, a young calf probably less than one month old. Continue Reading