Parties in Anacortes and Lopez on Monday, April 1

From Tom Reeves, San Juan Islands National Conservation Area

We will have two opportunities on Monday for the public to celebrate the national monument with some of the leaders who helped make it possible. In addition to Secretary Salazar and leaders from the BLM, we expect Senator Cantwell and Congressman Larsen to attend. Both events are open to the public, and we strongly encourage you to attend both.

Monday morning: Interior Secretary Salazar will host an event in Anacortes to celebrate the San Juan Islands National Monument. As Salazar put it:

“I look forward to seeing you on Monday morning to celebrate this great milestone that you all have been so instrumental in achieving. I regret that time and resource restrictions won’t allow me to make it all the way to the San Juan Islands on this trip, but I look forward to spending time there, at one of our nation’s greatest crown jewels, in the future. Neil Kornze, the BLM’s Principal Deputy Director is the lucky one who will represent me at the local celebration on the islands Monday afternoon.”

Monday afternoon: We will host a community celebration and potluck at the Lopez Center at 5:30 pm. Representatives of the BLM, including Acting Director Kornze, will be there to answer questions. We will have entertainment and food (bring salads, sides and desserts). You will have an opportunity to sign your name to posters that we will provide to key officials who have helped us with our efforts.

Anacortes Event: 10:00am at the Anacortes Senior Center Great Room, 1701 22nd St.

Lopez Island Event: 5:30pm at Lopez Center, 204 Village Rd.