Hello KIRC and Caring Across Communities fam!
I’m super excited to share this post with you. It is a true merging of passion, ideals, and love of the outdoors. It is work that ‘connects the dots’ between caregiving and the importance of extending that same CARE to the world around us; our environment! My goal is to dedicate (hopefully) at least one day a week to link different aspects of CARE.
This segment goes one step further by showcasing the power of intergenerational awareness and advocacy that has the ability to impact our lives for years, and perhaps generations to come. Keep reading to find the overview of a recent event I had the honor of taking part in and capturing the day’s events. It helped renew my faith in the power of unity as Generation Z and Generation Alpha come of age and move into decision-making roles!
If you value finding unique perspectives and coverage of stories like this, I hope you’ll consider supporting Keeping It REAL Caregiving by upgrading to a paid subscription. Seriously - try it out for at least a month and THANK YOU in advance for your support and encouragement!
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA, March, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Advocating for protecting the unique environment of the San Juan Islands, 15 students from the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club and one student from Orcas Island High School traveled to the State Capitol in Olympia, on February 24, 2026. The students, ranging from freshman to seniors, took part in a series of one-on-one meetings with members of the Governor’s staff and state legislators, exercising their civic rights to voice opinions and strive for change.
“I have always had a great appreciation of nature and a painful awareness of the existential reality of climate change,” said high school senior Flora Vaught, and President of the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club. “I wanted to make a difference. Traveling to Olympia has taught me more about politics, leadership, and organizing than any school class or textbook. Meeting with our district legislators and Senator has helped me become a more civically educated citizen and given me more hope in our ability as ordinary citizens to help incite change in policy.”
Mentorship support of the Eco Club is led by Friends of the San Juans and the San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship. Financial support for student’s day of legislative action was provided by Friends members, the Madrona Institute Stewardship Fund, and the San Juan Island Community Foundation.
The advocacy day began with a roundtable discussion with staff from the Governor’s office of Natural Resources followed by individual meetings with District 40’s Senator Liz Lovelett, Representative Debra Lekanoff, and Representative Alex Ramel. Students delivered talking points and asked questions on select bills of the 2026 legislative session pertaining to conservation, renewable energy, plastics and recycling, and home energy usage.
At the forefront of action items was Washington’s Bottle Deposit Bill, HB 1607 / SB 5502, which would have Washington consumers pay an extra 10-cents on bottles or beverage containers, with the goal of reducing litter and plastic waste. Students also advocated for HB 1015, designed to make energy efficiency information about a home more transparent for buyers and renters.
Speaking directly to the Governor’s staff, Eco Club sophomore August D’ambruoso outlined why he supports HB 1015, explaining “It incentivizes green solutions in homes and can save people who are looking to buy a house thousands of dollars in hidden fees from insulation and heat pumps, which I think is pretty important.”
“I was amazed to watch our students explain, promote, and defend their priorities for legislation to veteran legislators,” explains Sam Garson, Friday Harbor High School teacher, and advisor of the Eco Club. “It was a great reminder of the skills we are instilling in our students to support personal connections away from screens and devices that allow them to be present in the moment and in their own community futures.”
This is the sixth year Eco Club students have traveled to Olympia to gain first-hand experience of how bills are made, meeting their lawmakers, and being exposed to possible career opportunities.
“Our club is unique. We get the freedom to pursue and advocate for projects and legislation we are passionate about and I know we will continue to work hard to protect our unique environment in this crucial time.” said Vaught.
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About Friends of the San Juans
Founded in 1979, Friends of the San Juans protects and restores the San Juan Islands through science, education, policy, and community engagement. Friends fosters wild and healthy shorelines, conserves forests, farms, freshwater, and prairie habitats, and works to ensure a thriving marine ecosystem. Through hands-on learning and youth leadership opportunities, Friends empowers the next generation to care for the land and sea while advancing policies that protect island communities for years to come. Learn more at www.sanjuans.org.
As a family caregiver who cares deeply for the health, well-being, and protection of our environment, it warms my heart to see the level of dedication and passion in these young people.
Thanks for indulging this expansion of CARE-related work. I hope it inspires even ONE additional person to learn, get involved, and take steps to protect the only planet we have.
Until next time~
Julia
