Jul 17 2026

What Friends has been doing:

Aside from the well-attended community meeting focused on glamping, we have recently:

• Created a Friends of Fairchild at Magens Bay facebook page! Please follow and share!

• Migrated our (pretty quiet) discussion mailing list to friends-discuss@friendsmagens.org. Everyone who was on either the old discussion list or the announcement list has been automatically subscribed. If you do not wish to receive discussion emails, you can unsubscribe at any time by emailing friends-discuss+unsubscribe@friendsmagens.org, and you will still continue to receive announcements.

• Sent our group’s positions to candidates running for governor, lt governor, and delegate. We will send it to senate candidates after the primary.

• Shared outstanding questions & suggestions on non-glamping topics (including recycling, sunscreen, chairs, and environmental education) with the MBA general manager.

• Expanded our information about Amerindians at Magens and created a spreadsheet of wildlife seen at Magens to accompany our many photos of plants and animals.

What’s going on at Magens:

• Recent events included King of the Wings, Olympic Day, Stars & Stripes Poker Run, St Thomas Reformed Church summer camp (runs through the end of July). Check our calendar for upcoming events.

• Lots of wildlife sightings, including a dolphin, baby blacktip sharks, and a black-crowned night heron! Check out our website for more about animals at Magens.

• MBA:

  • The MBA is scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance committee Mon Aug 17 at 10AM. You can find last year’s testimony and budget here.

  • There is no MBA board meeting scheduled for July. MBA board meetings are usually held the third Friday of the month at 9AM at either Shed 4 or via Zoom. However, they are sometimes cancelled or rescheduled due to availability. MBA posts notices about their board meetings on their facebook page, and we will continue to confirm and pass along meeting information as well.

• Lindquist/Smith Bay was closed for most of a week due to sargassum. However, beach staff have been diligently cleaning, and the beach is currently open.

Get involved: 

• We’re always looking for volunteers. Join a Friends working group!

• Spread the word about Friends. Follow us on facebook.

• Share your opinions with MBA, government officials, and candidates. [Email addresses at the bottom of this page.]