About Friends of Burley Lagoon
Friends of Burley Lagoon
About Us
Friends of Burley Lagoon (FOBL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to preserving and protecting Burley Lagoon as part of the greater Puget Sound. We are dedicated to defending the Burley estuary from any missteps that may endanger its ecosystem, biodiversity, aesthetics, and recreational opportunities.
We follow the science to assess immediate and cumulative impacts that may occur across Puget Sound’s tidelands. FOBL is in contact with other groups working for the welfare of our waters and shorelines and is focused on our local Burley estuary as part of that broader mission.
Mission Statement
Friends of Burley Lagoon is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes to increase public awareness of the value of the ecological health, species diversity, natural character, aesthetic qualities and recreational uses of Puget Sound.
Painting of Heather McFarlane by James McFarlane
History
FOBL was founded in 2012 when longtime Burley Lagoon resident, Heather McFarlane, gathered with three other interested residents to discuss possible impacts of potential environmental changes within the lagoon.At that time, Taylor Shellfish, the largest aquaculture producer in the country, had begun to lease the tidelands in Burley Lagoon. Taylor Shellfish utilized modern industrial practices. Before 2012, Jerry Yamashita’s company, Western Oyster, had operated a low-key clam and oyster business for many years.
Heather worked to mobilize and educate the public through the formation of the community group, Friends of Burley Lagoon (FOBL), in which she served as president. In 2017, FOBL was designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to better support the group’s efforts to protect the lagoon.
In 2025, after successfully resolving a decade-long challenge concerning aquaculture permits, Heather retired from the executive role. She continues to serve on the all-volunteer FOBL board with other residents of the community.
Her dedication through the years proves the power of one person to create positive change, and was summarized in the poem of thanks below:
A Tribute to Our Founder, the Amazing Heather McFarlane, Queen of Our Lagoon
On Burley Lagoon’s shoreline there lives a gal,
Who most everyone thinks of as a neighborhood pal.
She’s outgoing, kind, and really, really smart,
And she’s perfected making personal connections an art.
She’s also known for her political savvy,
And has no tolerance for ethical depravity.
So, when she felt Burley Lagoon was at risk,
She got on her computer and made a contact list.
In 2012 she gathered neighbors-- first only a few,
And they looked to her to guide them in what they could do.
She said to organize the whole Lagoon ‘hood,
To collaborate together to do some community good.
That’s how Friends of Burley Lagoon came to be,
At a YMCA meeting in Gig Harbor, you see.
Heather presented the issues and stated the facts,
And the neighbors joined in and made community pacts.
Oh, the meetings, the hearings, the letters we wrote!
But we did have some fun at the lagoon annual Floats.
We all worked together for the health of the lagoon,
From any potential harm that might come later or soon.
No matter the issue, Heather didn’t quit,
In the FOBL president’s chair she did steadfastly sit.
Emailing Pierce County, she was determined to try,
To keep the community aware of the what’s and the why.
When came a DS, with an EIS to be,
Heather turned FOBL into a 501(c)(3)!
We could then take donations to fund FOBL’s causes,
2012 to 25 Heather’s perseverance never took pauses.
She sought funding through grants, and wow and wham!
FOBL received 2 grants, and a poster from Pearl Jam.
Her connections with others truly paved the way,
For us to gather in dollars FOBL needed to pay.
She found new directors to fill FOBL’s queue,
Brit, Eric, Jo, Karen, Wendy, Lisette, Bob, and Bruce too.
She built FOBL up, a citizen band,
To speak up to protect Puget Sound water and land.
She contacted reps and tracked the county SMP,
Because she knew how important input can be.
Through LUACs and a HEX she supported our prep,
Also attending water quality and KGI meetings as a community rep.
When finally to the SHB FOBL did head,
Heather considered carefully all that was said.
To protect the lagoon’s future the best way we could,
A mediation for partnership became FOBL’s new “should."
Now with an agreement for lagoon restoration and protection,
And a Cooperative planned to lead that direction,
FOBL's kept its word to do the best it could do,
And Heather McFarlane founded the effort that has made it come true.
Thirteen years of her life she devoted to the lagoon,
Heather, at meetings or computer night, morning, and noon.
She’s now asked to step back from FOBL's president’s role,
And there’s no denying she has earned a reprieve from its toll.
From officer to director Heather's going to transition,
But on FOBL’s Board she’ll always have a position.
She’ll offer her wisdom and remain part of the team,
Because Heather’s not just FOBL’s founder, she’s Burley Lagoon’s Queen!
June 2025
Board of Directors
The volunteer Board of Directors meets monthly:
- to stay current on scientific research and circumstances that may impact Burley Lagoon
- to facilitate public education about Burley Lagoon and Puget Sound ecology
- to remain informed regarding administrative decisions and policies that could affect lagoon and marine health
- to raise funds to support the preservation and protection of Burley estuary and Puget Sound
- to participate in civic matters that could impact the Burley Lagoon area and Puget Sound
- to collaborate with other groups and community agencies involved in protecting the marine environment
- to encourage responsible practices to protect Burley Lagoon’s ecosystem