Environmental Policy in Action: Friends of the San Juans empowers the next generation of environmental leaders

Pictured: Jess Newley, Friends of the San Juans Community Science and Education Director, along with Katie Fleming, San Juan County Solid Waste Coordinator, and Friday Harbor Highschool Eco Club members during a successful trip to Olympia to engage in the legislation session.

Friday Harbor, WA - The impact of The Madrona Institute's Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program on local environmental initiatives has been vividly demonstrated through the success of the Friday Harbor High School Eco-Club. With the support of a Stewardship Grant, Friends of the San Juans mission to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea has not only thrived but has also empowered young leaders to take charge in fostering environmental action and stewardship on San Juan Island and beyond.

With the help of this grant, Friends of the San Juans staff, in collaboration with Katie Fleming (San Juan County Solid Waste Coordinator), conducted weekly meetings with 10-12 students from the Eco-Club throughout the 2022/2023 school year. Encouragingly, this collaboration witnessed a notable surge in student initiative, leading to the establishment of an official school club through the ASB (Associated Student Body). The creation of club officers, including a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, reflects a newfound sense of agency and self-led responsibilities among the students. This laid the groundwork for student-led fundraising for the club in order to attain long-term sustainability and options for Eco-club swag, hosting events, etc.

A highlight of the Eco-Club's journey was a successful trip to Olympia, where students immersed themselves in learning about the Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act. Although the act did not pass, the students gained valuable insights into legislative engagement. The club's proactive approach extended to addressing school waste and recycling issues, including a comprehensive trash audit at the high school. This audit paved the way for future campaigns, focusing on education and outreach initiatives to minimize prevalent waste identified during the audit.

Creating Change from the Ground Up

“One memorable highlight was when we took eight enthusiastic Eco-Club members down to Olympia to engage in the legislation process. Students met with legislators and shared their concerns and personal testimonies to climate change and how it's affecting them in the islands. They also got to see the ins and outs of how a bill is lobbied for, voted on, and passed through the House and Senate floors. Students came away with more of an understanding of how legislation works and a positive attitude towards the local and regional political system. They are now eager to get more involved next year and choose a specific issue that they would like to address, be a voice for, and help make positive change happen.”

- Jess Newley, Friend’s of the San Juans

Pictured: Jess Newley and Eco-Club members writing letters to Governor Inslee on the steps of the Capitol.

The Eco-Club's impact also reached beyond the high school, with a successful visit to the elementary school. During this visit, students engaged with younger peers during lunchtime, exploring ways to reduce one-time use waste and food waste at the elementary level. The positive reception from teachers, students, and school administrators highlights the club's ability to inspire and connect with diverse audiences.

At the end of the school year, an evaluation was conducted, revealing an overwhelmingly positive attitude among Eco-Club members. The enthusiasm expressed by the students underscores their commitment to continue their action projects and revisit Olympia with focused asks and campaigns in the following school year. This success story exemplifies how stewardship grants can empower the younger generation to actively contribute to environmental conservation and community engagement.

“I have found Eco Club to be a very fun and engaging way to help with focused efforts to better the environment and the way our community engages with it.”

- Eco-club student member

Pictured: Friday Harbor Highschool Eco-Club members on the House Floor with 40th District Representative Alex Ramel.

More about Friends of the San Juans

Friends of the San Juans, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Juan County, works locally and throughout the region using innovative public-private partnerships, applied science, legal advocacy, and community-based initiatives to protect the land, water, and sea for those of us here today and for future generations. Friends of the San Juans has engaged youth in science and conservation education in local schools for over 20 years. They currently offer two programs for youth engagement: the Immersive Salish Sea Education Program and High School Student Mentorships through Eco-club.

More about The Madrona Institute’s Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program

The Madrona Institute empowers organizations in the San Juan Islands by offering small grants through the Madrona Stewardship Fund. These grants support initiatives that foster youth engagement, environmental and cultural stewardship, climate action, and social justice. The funding is sourced from the sales of San Juan Islands Special License plates through the Department of Licensing.

In its second year of grant-making in 2022, The Madrona Institute allocated $45,000 to local nonprofit organizations. This marks our ongoing commitment to channeling the proceeds from the San Juan Islands Special License Plate sales into impactful projects that enhance the well-being and sustainability of our local community.tand out

2022 Grantees include:

• $10,000 to the San Juan Islands Conservation District for their San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corps program

• $10,000 to the Madrona Institute for their Coast Salish Youth Coalition/Stewardship Corps program

• $5,000 to the Friends of the San Juans for their Youth Environmental Mentoring Program

• $5,000 to the Alchemy Art Center for their Young Environmentalists Arts Intensive Program

• $5,000 to the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild for their Farm Heroes for Environmental Stewardship Program

• $5,000 to Wild Orca for their San Juan Islands Naturalist Program

• $5,000 to the Children of the Setting Sun Productions to support the creation of the Indigenous film series and pilot episode “The Sound”

Awards are made on an annual basis for local projects and programs that support the conservation and stewardship of agricultural, cultural, historic, and natural resources in the islands, with emphasis on youth engagement and environmental justice.

Support These Programs and Get your Special License Plate Today!

The Madrona Institute proudly serves as the organizational sponsor of the San Juan Islands Stewardship License Plate, established on October 1, 2019 through the WA Department of Licensing.

By purchasing a San Juan Islands Stewardship License Plate, you actively contribute to the stewardship of the San Juan Islands. Every purchase directly supports The Madrona Institute's Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program, making impactful programs and projects as highlighted above, possible.

Your support through the Special License Plate initiative becomes a tangible and meaningful way to foster sustainability and community well-being in the San Juan Islands and greater Salish Sea.