A Community-Rooted Vision for the San Juan Islands
Island Stewards is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping the San Juan Islands remain the kind of place people fall in love with—quiet, resilient, and rooted in care. We don’t get there by chasing glossy visions or throwing around policy jargon. We get there by listening, by showing up alongside our neighbors, and by leaning into the messy, complicated, and beautiful work of shaping the islands’ future.
What We’ve Been Up To
Strengthening Ourselves First
We know that if we want to be part of building lasting change, we have to practice it ourselves. That’s why Island Stewards has been focusing on internal restructuring and board development. Stewardship, after all, isn’t just about the land—it’s about tending to the people and organizations trying to care for it.Looking Back (The Big Picture)
Part of moving forward is remembering where we’ve been. The Big Picture shows how San Juan County’s planning history set us on a path toward growth far beyond what our islands can sustain — and how generations of islanders have pushed back to keep truth and limits in the conversation.That story is why Island Stewards keeps saying it: transparency, carrying capacity, and participation aren’t optional. They are the foundation of everything we do today. Read The Big Picture →
Transportation for Island Life
We’ve been working to imagine a transportation system that actually makes sense for island living—not a copy-paste from the mainland. Together with other nonprofits, we’re testing what it looks like to build something community-led, that connects people without paving over the things that make island life special.Goldilocks Surveys & Listening Tools
Our “Goldilocks” surveys ask what feels “too much,” “too little,” or “just right” when it comes to growth, housing, tourism, and climate. They’ve helped us capture the nuances that official hearings often miss—and made it easier for people to share honest feelings without needing to read through a hundred-page policy document first.Comprehensive Plan Engagement
With support from the Washington State Department of Commerce, we’ve brought more voices into San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan. Our goal has been simple: make sure residents from all walks of life—not just the usual suspects—have a say in how growth is managed under Washington’s Growth Management Act.Civic Joy (and Bamboo Sticks)
Along the way, we’ve also celebrated the lighter side of island life. Who could forget the time San Juan County residents were gifted a giant bamboo stick—proof that if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that sometimes symbols, gestures, and stories are more powerful than a policy memo.
Our Vision
We believe stewardship is an everyday practice. It means preserving rural character while adapting to change, balancing ecological health with community needs, and remembering that resilience is built from the inside out. Island Stewards is here to keep asking the hard questions, keep showing up at the table, and keep holding space for voices that aren’t always heard.
Because the islands deserve nothing less than a future shaped by those who love them most.
Meet the Team
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![Smiling woman indoors with photographs in the background.]()
Morgan Meadows
BOARD PRESIDENT
Morgan has thousands of hours of experience with various non-profit agencies in San Juan County and beyond. Specializing in community-based response and hands-on practices, she helps communities co-create projects and programs with the highest degree of intentionality to achieve their reason for being. More recently, she can be found in her gardens.
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![Smiling elderly woman with long gray hair wearing a dark top, standing indoors.]()
Leslie Seaman
VICE PRESIDENT
Leslie Seaman, a longtime Orcas Island resident, has been a passionate advocate for land use and water protection since 1992. As a Grange Master for 20 years and the driving force behind free Concerts in the Park, Leslie’s dedication to community shines through in every endeavor. Her effort and dedication, have helped inspire future generations of Island Stewards.
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![A person wearing sunglasses and a cable-knit sweater stands outdoors in a wooded area, smiling.]()
Sooz Stahl
BOARD SECRETARY
Sooz has over ten years of experience specializing in research and professional development through interactive drama, designing workshops that use Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to help organizations examine their work through an equity lens. Sooz uses innovative strategies to create interactive, engaging learning experiences.
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![A person wearing a black jacket standing outdoors in a forested area.]()
Joe Symons
TREASURER
A longtime resident of Orcas Island, Joe Symons dedicated himself to preserving the island’s unique beauty and sustainable future. As a passionate advocate, he asks us to address critical issues about the future of San Juan County, working tirelessly to inspire stewardship and long-term planning for the community. For a “big picture perspective” see Keep San Juan Islands Wild.
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![Woman wearing sunglasses and a black floral dress, standing outdoors on grass.]()
Robin Baldwin
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Robin has spent the past six years on Orcas Island, tending a vibrant food forest and embracing the healing power of nature. Now, as a writer with Island Stewards, Robin is weaving the myth and legend of San Juan County’s residents and landscapes, capturing the unique interplay between people and the natural world through a lens of thoughtful storytelling.
Advisors
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Steve Bernheim
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Marcy Montgomery
Our Approach
Our Approach
We believe change starts with listening—really listening. Not to spreadsheets, but to ferry line stories, kitchen table debates, and the quiet worries people share after long days. Our role is to catch those voices before they slip through the cracks, and to make sure they carry weight in the decisions that shape island life.
Our Goals Include:
Hearing diverse voices
From young people imagining a future here, to elders stretching retirement dollars, to families just trying to get by—we believe every perspective has weight, and every voice deserves space.Building collective knowledge
The islands are complicated, and no single person sees the whole picture. That’s why we piece it together from many angles, building a shared understanding of both the challenges and the possibilities.Defining stewardship together
“Stewardship” isn’t a one-size word. For some it means preserving land, for others it’s caring for neighbors or passing down traditions. By listening to those different meanings, we can shape a vision that truly reflects island life.Turning ideas into action
We don’t just talk about stewardship—we test it. From pilot projects to partnerships, we’re learning by doing and building change step by step.
Why Now?
San Juan County is at a crossroads. Issues like housing affordability, climate change, and access to resources are becoming more urgent, requiring thoughtful and inclusive solutions. At the same time, our community is rich with knowledge, creativity, and passion—an incredible resource for tackling these challenges.
Island Stewards works to ensure that the decisions made today honor the voices of the people who live here and reflect the spirit of collaboration and care that defines the San Juan Islands.
How You Can Get Involved
This project is about you—your insights, your concerns, your hopes for the future. There are many ways to participate:
Join a Focus Group: Share your experiences and ideas in a supportive, collaborative space.
Attend a Community Gathering: Meet your neighbors and explore what stewardship means to you.
Get Creative: Participate in workshops or contribute art, writing, or videos that express your vision for the islands.
We are just beginning to lay the groundwork, and your voice is essential to shaping the path forward. Together, we can create a future where development and preservation exist in harmony, and every resident feels seen, heard, and valued.