Submitted by San Juan County.

Plastic Free Salish Sea is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the San Juan Island Yacht Club to steward Washington State Marine Parks during a special clean-up weekend, May 31 through June 2.

This new initiative brings the energy of the Great Islands Clean-Up to some of the Salish Sea’s most treasured and remote beaches. A fleet of volunteer boaters will cruise to Stuart, Sucia and Jones islands to remove marine debris and microplastics from state park shorelines that are otherwise difficult to access without private watercraft.

“We encourage all boaters in the community to join in and meet up as we work together to make a Plastic Free Salish Sea a reality,” said Glen Margolis, commodore of SJIYC. “This inaugural stewardship cruise marks the beginning of what we hope will become an annual tradition that drives positive change for our environment.”

The San Juan Island Yacht Club, with over 300 members, is dedicated to supporting safe and enjoyable boating in the Pacific Northwest. This partnership combines the Yacht Club’s passion for the water and resources with Plastic Free Salish Sea’s environmental mission, creating a powerful team effort to protect marine ecosystems.

“Partnering with the Yacht Club gives us the unique opportunity to reach and care for beaches that are typically out of reach for most volunteers,” said Katie Johnson, marine project coordinator for San Juan County. “This is an exciting example of how local leadership and community collaboration can make a real impact.”

The Great Islands Clean-Up is a long-standing countywide event held each spring and fall that mobilizes hundreds of volunteers across the San Juan Islands to clean beaches, roadways and public spaces. This new summertime clean-up cruise expands that effort onto the water, emphasizing marine park stewardship and cross-community engagement.

Cleanup supplies will be provided, and all volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable gloves, a refillable water bottle and appropriate sun protection. You do not need to be a Yacht Club member to participate — all are welcome. The schedule for the event can be found at www.sjiyc.com and www.plasticfreesalishsea.org. To sign up, please contact Lee Kirby at vicecommodore@sjiyc.com by May 30.

Plastic Free Salish Sea is a coalition of local organizations committed to reducing plastic waste in our waterways and landscapes. Collaborators include the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship, Friends of the San Juans, San Juan Islands Conservation District, and local waste and recycling operators including The Exchange/Orcas Recycling Services, Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District, Lautenbach Recycling and San Juan Sanitation.

Contact: Katie Johnson, marine project coordinator, katiej@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-375-5863.

San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship is responsible for solid waste, marine resources, clean water, cultural resources, and climate and sustainability work. Department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/839/Environmental-Stewardship.