Now celebrating its 14th year, the San Juan Nature Institute continues to offer science education through local schools, field workshops for youth and adults, as well as cutting edge lectures and classes for the public. As an official affiliate of the University of Washington and in partnership with the Friday Harbor Labs, SJ Nature Institute’s offerings enrich the lives of several thousand islanders every year, said Farhad Ghatan, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the San Juan Nature Institute.

“Each year we receive numerous grants from the San Juan and Orcas Community Foundations, the Russell Family Foundation, San Juan County and the State of Washington, all in support of our rich programming.

“However generous thesefunds are, they don’t cover any of our administrative costs, including the writing of these grants;. Special thanks to those dedicated islanders who step up each year with volunteer efforts and/or generous contributions.”

The public is invited to participate by coming to “Savory Farms and Healthy Habitats,” the annual celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mullis Center.

In addition to a multi-course culinary extravaganza with fine wines and dessert, the San Juan Jazz Quintet will be on hand. Featured speakers include Boyd Pratt, historian and multi-generational Islander, speaking on “History of Agriculture in the San Juans” and Barbara Rosenkotter, SJC Lead Coordinator for Salmon Recovery, explaining “Local Salmon Recovery Efforts.”

Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased on line at www.sjnature.org or by calling either the SJ Nature Institute office at 378-3646 or Ghatan at 378-7140.

“I hope you can join me in support of a true island treasure,” says Ghatan.