Submitted by Friends of the San Juans

After 10 years of public service as Friends of the San Juans’ staff attorney, Kyle Loring will be leaving the organization in June to pursue other endeavors.

Starting this month, Friends will conduct a search for a talented environmental attorney to serve the people and wildlife of the San Juans. Since Friends hired Loring in 2007, when he was an attorney at K&L Gates in Seattle, he has represented Friends in many of its efforts to conserve natural shorelines, protect healthy seas and support a thriving community.

Friends Executive Director Stephanie Buffum said she appreciates Loring’s commitment to the organization and its members.

“Kyle devoted himself to our community as soon as he landed here. With his help, Friends has preserved community treasures like fish spawning beaches, wetlands, and forest and farmlands,” said Buffum. “He has also contributed countless hours in his spare time to local endeavors like Leadership San Juan Islands, the Trails Committee, FANS, the mentoring program, and the Conservation District. We will miss his thoughtful and inquisitive nature, his sense of humor and his willingness to play any role needed for our team.

“It has been an honor to be able to dedicate myself to conserving the San Juans,” said Loring, reflecting on his time with Friends. “I’m grateful that Friends chose me 10 years ago, allowing me to follow my passion and serve the people and the environment of this ecological jewel.

“While I plan to continue working for ecological preservation, I don’t yet know what form that will take,” Loring continued. “In the meantime, I think I’ll take a bike ride this summer. Anyone want to join me up and over the Rockies?”

For information about Friends of the San Juans, visit www.sanjuans.org.