The 2020 boating season is officially upon us, and soon our anchorages will begin to fill with local and visiting private boats. Our amazing group of islands, where boaters find wonder and relaxation, are also where fish and wildlife find food and shelter. One of the Salish Sea’s most critical and sensitive marine habitats is  Continue Reading

As you may have heard, asian hornets (a.k.a: Murder Hornets) have found their way to the United States and have been detected in Washington. They are an invasive species and will decimate honey bee hives. If you would like to help the State of Washington, here is a project you can do on your property  Continue Reading

There was a 3.0 earthquake last night, about 1:15 in the morning, just south east of Roche Harbor. See more info on the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network website.

It is one of those events that – if you were alive – you likely remember. Where were you at 8:32 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, 1980? Monday marks 40 years since Mount St. Helens erupted. Fifty-seven people died, and the way we look at the power of nature was altered forever. This week WSDOT  Continue Reading

Last week, the national winners of the Exploravision Competition were announced and the first place-winning project was Get Away! Bacteriophage, submitted by Friday Harbor Elementary School (FHES) students Jodie Wehner, 2nd grade, Ava Youngsman 2nd grade, and Nancy Wehner, 1st grade. Earlier this spring, three FHES STEM teams had received regional and honorable mention recognition  Continue Reading

To the Editor: In this time of Stay-at-Home regulations, coinciding with some lovely spring weather, we at the Friday Harbor Labs (FHL) have noticed increased use of University of Washington properties. We absolutely understand the desire to get out of the house and find new places to explore, and we want to be good neighbors,  Continue Reading

60-Second Videos from the Preservation Trust The San Juan Preservation Trust has developed a series of quick, easy-to-watch videos featuring the wonder-filled nature in our own backyards as spring unfolds around us. If you could use some vicarious doses of nature’s medicine, click to watch the video above and then look for more of the  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor sees the health of our trees as vital to our sense of well-being and as a defining characteristic of our community. Healthy trees provide us the daily benefit of cleaner air, shade and source of aesthetic beauty. The Tree City USA signs at the Town’s entrances tell visitors that this  Continue Reading

Your Conservation Land Bank will resume opening the gate at Mount Grant Preserve beginning this Sunday, May 10th.   We have switched to our spring/summer calendar and driving access to the summit will be available twice a week, Sundays and Wednesdays from 10am to 7pm. Please continue following social distancing guidelines whenever visiting your preserves: If  Continue Reading

This May 2020 edition of Tide Bites was written by Alyssa Scott… As the tides of life have ebbed and flowed, I’ve continually found myself on the shores of FHL [Friday Harbor Labs]. My first encounter with the Labs was via a two-week research sailing expedition through the San Juan Islands with Deep Green Wilderness.  Continue Reading

Need an excuse to get outside? (safely and and while maintaining self-distancing, of course…) OLYMPIA–The Washington Invasive Species Council, state agencies and researchers are calling for a census in May to help determine the location of Scotch broom throughout the state. “We need everyone’s help to size up the problem,” said Justin Bush, executive coordinator  Continue Reading

No standing in lines and no rushed shopping at the Mullis Senior Community Center this year. We are online only in compliance with all safety guidelines for COVID-19. Our Spring Plant Sale starts at 9am, Tuesday, May 5. Healthy veggie starts need new homes! Eight new varieties this year, including two delicious cherry tomatoes, cucumbers,  Continue Reading

Dead and dying conifers have proliferated throughout the Salish Sea area, especially with cedars and hemlocks, causing concern for many property owners. This webinar will talk about why so many trees are dying right now and how to recognize when there’s a problem on your property. Topics include insects, diseases, and drought, and what property  Continue Reading

Land Bank Preserves remain open despite other public land closures because we believe people need access to nature close to home, especially when nothing else in life seems normal. Early evidence suggests that dogs don’t spread COVID-19. However, current social distancing rules apply to both people and their pets. To that end, we want to  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islandersNavigating This article is from Brandon Cadwell, Chief of Visitor and Youth Engagement at San Juan Island National Historical Park. Now is the time to take the road less traveled. Or perhaps, the trail or sidewalk less traveled. As the Chief of Visitor  Continue Reading

“And because enjoying the outdoors is critical to supporting your mental health, you can still go for a walk or a bike ride or garden in your yard.” Governor Jay Inslee from his “Stay home, stay healthy” order. “English Camp is good hiking spot with its upland trails to Young Hill, Bell Point loop, Westcott  Continue Reading

This week, we announced the temporary full closure of all Washington state parks for at least two weeks. The decision follows Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order issued on Tuesday. We want to do our part to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. The measure adds to our March 22 decision  Continue Reading

  Today we launched a resource called HOMESCHOOL that will allow homebound students to explore the Salish Sea during this period of self-isolation. These videos and activities can be easily deployed amid the chaos of the current moment. Also, they’re fun!    We’ll continue to add content to this page, so keep an eye out and share  Continue Reading

In spite of everything its Spring. I love this photo of windswept daffodils taken by Margaret Thorson.

A reminder from the San Juan Preservation Trust of an upcoming event, Gardening for Butterflies, March 19, 2020 at 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – Red Mill Farm… Can you think of a better way to celebrate Spring Equinox, than by planting seeds of hope for the future of a species? On San Juan Island,  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we have this letter from Steve Ulvi… The Future on the Rocks The life of a conservationist in America has always been a hard paddle against the current. Win some skirmishes, a few big battles and refight ‘em again and again, while losing the war. We learn to  Continue Reading

Today we have a guest post from TripOutside.com on the Benefits of Getting Outdoors… By Julie Singh If you’re a self-professed homebody, you could seriously benefit from a change of scenery. Spending time in nature could improve your physical and mental health, ward off illness, and actually make you happier! As the Father of Western  Continue Reading