From the Friends of the San Juans
San Juan County “Sound Shoreline Science” Forums on May 10, 17 and June 4
A set of free educational public forums about the importance of healthy shorelines will be hosted Friday, May 10 on Lopez Island, Friday, May 17 on San Juan Island and Tuesday, June 4 on Orcas Island. Participants will learn about fish and wildlife, shoreline geology, and other features of the shorelines in the Salish Sea.
The forums will help provide information to the public at the time that the San Juan County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is being updated.
“Protecting our shorelines is good for our economy and our environment. Our visitors contributed over $158.5 million to our local economy last year. They come here with an investment backed expectation -to see fish and wildlife in the wild,” said Stephanie Buffum, Executive Director of FRIENDS of the San Juans.
The San Juan County Shoreline Master Program is currently in front of the Planning Commission for review. There is plenty of time for the community to get involved before the Council holds its hearing on this matter later in the year. The Sound Science forums offer residents an opportunity to learn about the science behind shoreline master programs such as coastal process, seagrasses, bulkheads, vegetation the economic value of shorelines, and tribal perspectives on shorelines.
“We are excited to bring together science, policy, and cultural experts related to the health and management of our shorelines,” said Hilary Franz, Executive Director of Futurewise, “This forum will help synthesize what we know about the ecosystem, show how science can contribute to effective management of the shorelines and where citizens and local communities can make an impact.”
The SMP regulates the use of shorelines. SMPs must protect the natural character of the shoreline, promote public access and enjoyment of the shoreline, and plan for and foster reasonable and appropriate uses of the shoreline including family-wage jobs supported by the maritime industry.
The Lopez forum will be held May 10 from 1-3:30 pm at the Lopez Center. The San Juan forum will be held from 1-4:30 pm (with an optional lunch at noon for $10) at the San Juan Island Grange. The Orcas Forum will be held at the Eastsound Firehouse from 1-3:30 pm. For more information and to register, go to https://futurewise.org/action/SanJuanForums/.
The Lopez forum will feature two speakers: Dr. Jeff Gaeckle, seagrass ecologist, with Washington State Department of Natural Resources, will discuss the productivity of seagrasses, where it grows and why, including highlights from his recent research findings about stressors; and Aundrea McBride, research ecologist at Skagit River System Cooperative, will describe coastal processes (how sand moves up and down and along the coast) and the shape of our lands.
The San Juan forum will feature four speakers: Curtis Tanner, of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project, who will explain how the shorelines have changed over time, the use of the shoreline by wildlife and where the most problematic changes are and why; Dr. Megan N. Dethier, of Friday Harbor Labs, will talk about the impacts of armoring on Puget Sound shorelines and the results of her team’s new study on these impacts; Todd Woodard, Field Supervisor with the Samish Indian Nation Natural Resources Department, will speak about tribal cultural resources and how they related to the shorelines; and Jeffrey Eustis, a principal in the law firm of Aramburu & Eustis, LLP and an adjunct professor of environmental law at Seattle University, will address legal aspects of the updates to Shoreline Master Programs.
The upcoming Orcas forum on June 4 will feature speakers on the topics of the importance of trees and vegetation in shoreline areas and the economic value of shorelines.
These forums are sponsored by Futurewise and FRIENDS of the San Juans.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Kate at kate@futurewise.org or 360-306-5708.
Sound Shoreline Science Forums details:
Lopez Island
- When: Friday, May 10 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- Where: Lopez Island Center
- Cost: Free
- Info & Registration: https://futurewise.org/action/SanJuanForums/
San Juan Island
- When: Friday, May 17 from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
- Where: San Juan Island Grange, Friday Harbor
- Cost: Free
- Other: Optional lunch for $10 at 12pm (pre-registration requested)
- Info & Registration: https://futurewise.org/action/SanJuanForums/
Orcas Island
- When: Tuesday, June 4 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
- Where: Eastsound Fire Hall
- Cost: Free
- Info & Registration: https://futurewise.org/action/SanJuanForums/
Futurewise is a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes healthy communities and cities while protecting working farms, forests and habitat.
FRIENDS of the San Juans is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to protect the land, water, sea and livability of the San Juan Islands through science, education, stewardship and advocacy.
The forums are partially funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through agreements with Washington State Puget Sound Partnership and the Puget Sound Marine and Nearshore Grant Program, a partnership between Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources.
Tourists “come here with an investment backed expectation-to see fish and wildlife in the wild”?
I am so confused. The only “tourists” who come here with “investment-backed expectations” are those who are entranced by the beauty of the islands, decide to move here and buy land.
For many people the cost and time of travel to the islands, the cost of lodging and meals once here can be quite an investment – certainly more than staying alot of places on the mainland. Hope you’re now less confused.
Hi Marta, Peg is only confused because she is trying to make sense of the logic being presented. I have no problem with visitors,but I can not agree with the plan that the future of my existance here is based on tourism. Are the “experts” at the friends forum the same experts that are going to inform the passengers of the American Cruise Lines new route to the San Juans, starting soon! The friends neglected to post the disclaimer that they buried in small print at the end of their latest mailing. That this does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of these agencies. Like, whats that mean?
Hi Marta, you forgot to mention that you are the secrectary of the friends.
Gary – I am a mother, grandmother, wife, chicken rancher, organic farmer, captain of the Salish Trader, published author, GMO free grain merchant, activist with social issues on Orcas currently a member of Team Tatas working to raise money for Ferry Tickets for medical transportation, past Executive Director of the Prevention Coalition on Orcas and a retired teacher…and yes now secretary of the Board of the Friends….so your point would be what? Other than totally irrelevant?
A tourist-based economy does not provide the kind of good-paying jobs that our youth need to be able to work toward if they are to prosper in the islands. Seasonal, minimum-wage or less, no-benefits jobs are the norm even with a health shoulder season. The people with an “investment” in the county are those who live and work here or own land here with the hope of living and working or retiring here.