Our Anacortes Roots
Where It All Began
In 2008, a group of local residents founded Friends of Skagit Beaches (FOSB) in Anacortes with a mission to support local volunteer-led projects through funding and community support. That spirit of empowering community action continues today through Friends of the Salish Sea.
Over the years, our activities expanded beyond beaches to include community science, environmental education, stewardship, and efforts to protect important natural places throughout the region. In 2025, we became Friends of the Salish Sea (FOSS) to better reflect the growing scope of our work.
While our name has changed, our connection to Anacortes remains strong. It’s where our organization began, where our Lecture Series has its longest history, and where we’ve built a community of people who share a curiosity about the natural world.
A Community That Starts Here and Reaches Beyond
Although FOSS grew from its Anacortes beginnings, our work now connects people and projects throughout the Salish Sea region. We bring people together through education, community science, and stewardship, helping make environmental knowledge more accessible and creating opportunities for people to take part in caring for the natural world. We believe that understanding the natural world is an important step toward protecting it. And we believe everyone has a role to play.
Our Anacortes Projects
Explore the Tommy Thompson Trail
Our Trail Tales project celebrates the natural and cultural history of the Tommy Thompson Trail.
Learn How to Recycle Right
Explore Beyond the Bin, our Anacortes-focused project connecting local residents with recycling and reuse options that help reduce waste and keep our waterways clean.
Join a Book Club
Discover the ongoing Inspir’Action Book Club, a collaboration between Friends of the Salish Sea and Transition Fidalgo that brings Anacortes-area readers together to learn, share ideas, and turn inspiration into action.
Our Work Beyond Anacortes
Our roots are in Anacortes, but our work extends throughout the Salish Sea region. Through community science, education, and stewardship, Friends of the Salish Sea supports projects that help protect the health of our shared environment.
From monitoring stormwater pollution to supporting biodiversity and protecting important natural areas, our regional projects bring people and communities together to make a difference.