Friends of the San Juans used this funding for the Assessment and Protection of Kelp Project. The project: 1. Completed the assessment of kelp distribution for San Juan County utilizing aerial photography and photo interpretation; 2. Compiled and mapped San Juan County's kelp habitat; 3. Distributed habitat data to land managers, scientists and conservation entities; 4. Applied results to shoreline protection through local, state and federal regulations including San Juan County's Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program Updates; 5. Included kelp resources in prioritization analyses for long-term protections through land acquisition and conservation easements; and 6. Expanded voluntary protection of kelp habitat through outreach and education with shoreline landowners, boaters and other target audiences. Primary project partners were the Friends of the San Juans and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Friends of the San Juans has completed assessment, mapping, and protection projects for forage fish spawning and eelgrass habitats in San Juan County and effectively implemented the Protection of Kelp Project. Partnership with WDNR leverages resources and expertise, and ensured that results will meet best available science requirements. Kelp beds are important migratory, resting and feeding habitat for salmon and salmon prey species. The San Juan County Salmon Recovery Strategy notes that "identification and mapping of kelp resources for use in protection actions through critical areas regulation and planning for all shorelines and government levels" is a priority action.