Environment
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World's largest hornet renamed northern giant hornet
Scientists are now asking the public to refer to the world's largest hornets as "northern giant hornets," opposed to the previously dubbed names "Asian giant hornets" and "murder ho... — Updated 8/11/2022
Fish and Wildlife Commission rejects proposed wolf rule
Washington's wildlife commissioners have chosen not to enact a new rule that was developed with the goal of reducing the number of wolves killed under state orders due to conflicts... — Updated 8/4/2022
Cascade Carnivore Project Reports Wolverines Have Reproduced at Mount Rainier for Third Consecutive Year
Wolverines have reproduced at Mount Rainier National Park for a third year in a row, according to an announcement last week by the Cascade Carnivore Project. The news marks another... — Updated 7/28/2022
Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes launch fish habitat projects
This month, the Yakama Nation and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation began construction for fish habitat restoration projects along the Twisp and Methow rivers. The... — Updated 7/28/2022
Inslee gives Asian Giant Hornets his full attention
Though there are no confirmed sightings of Asian giant hornets yet this year, scientists and entomologists from the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) were ready to talk... — Updated 7/14/2022
Flood victims rebuild: Whatcom County seeks money to buy out, elevate properties
This could be the next image of flood recovery: Houses raised up from their foundations to be repositioned several feet higher, if rebuilt at all. Several homeowners in hard-hit Sumas have taken the action already, without knowing... — Updated 7/7/2022
Lummi Nation awarded $595,000 after 2017 salmon pen collapse
The King County Superior Court jury awarded the Lummi Nation close to $600,000 in damages Wednesday over the 2017 collapse of an Atlantic salmon net pen in Puget Sound. The... — Updated 7/7/2022
First Asian giant hornet nest eradicated in east Blaine now on display at the Smithsonian
A piece of Blaine is now displayed for the world to view at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The first Asian giant hornet nest found and... — Updated 7/7/2022
A New Day for Lakebay Marina
Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz visited Lakebay Marina June 4 in part to celebrate the partnership to save the iconic facility and to see for herself... — Updated 7/7/2022
Southern resident orca pod calf identified last week
The latest addition to the Southern Resident orca J pod has been identified as a girl, according to observers from the Center for Whale Research (CWR). This orca, the first calf... — Updated 6/2/2022
A new invader: European green crabs pose a threat
Voracious invaders are seeking a foothold in the region's tidelands. And you've been enlisted in the battle. The enemy is the European green crab - considered one of the world's... — Updated 6/2/2022
Researchers look at salmon habitat above Enloe Dam
Tens of thousands of endangered salmon could access high-quality habitat in the Similkameen River watershed if Enloe Dam were removed, but any plans to demolish the dam would have... — Updated 6/2/2022
Holy halibut: Local charters relish bottom fish bonanza
ILWACO - Fishing roughly 20 miles off the Washington coast near a vast submarine canyon, it took the bait more than two minutes to reach the bottom in an ink-black abyss. It's in th... — Updated 5/26/2022
Kelp help is on the way
Below the surface of Puget Sound, disappearing kelp forests and eelgrass beds are threatening the stability of dependent species. The shrinking population is now drawing the attention of lawmakers, with a variety of approaches... — Updated 5/2/2022
Morel harvesting permits available in May
People hoping for a share of the earthy mushrooms that often pop up after a wildfire can apply for a commercial harvesting permit for morels from the Methow Valley Ranger District starting Monday (May 2). People can collect up to... — Updated 4/28/2022
Oil facilities, transporters to be liable for oil spill costs
The financial responsibility for an oil spill will fall on those who own the facilities and vessels that produce and transport oil, under HB 1691. The bill was passed by the Senate Thursday, March 3. It passed in the House last... — Updated 4/28/2022
State's gray wolf population increased in 2021
The gray wolf population in Washington topped 200 animals last year, with 33 packs in the central and eastern parts of the state at the end of 2021. The Washington Department of... — Updated 4/21/2022
Legislature Funds Increased Derelict Boat Removal on Puget Sound
Removing derelict or abandoned boats from the waters of Puget Sound is a high priority for the Department of Natural Resources. The department's underfunded Derelict Vessel Removal... — Updated 4/21/2022
Where Beaches Are Born
Agates and oysters. A clear tide. Stories. I am south of Driftwood Annie's point, strolling Pitt Passage with two veteran beach walkers. The going is wonderfully slow. "It changes s... — Updated 3/17/2022
Transportation funding package moves to the House
A package that pays for free passes on public transportation for young people and upgrades to major bridges are all part of a 16-year transportation funding plan approved by the Washington State Senate. The Senate approved the prop... — Updated 3/16/2022
Democrats push $16 billion transportation plan
A $16 billion plan, crafted mainly by Democrats, to fund hybrid-electric ferries, high speed rail, highway maintenance is gaining speed in the state Legislature. “‘Move Ahead Washington’ is a promise to put Washingtonians... — Updated 3/16/2022
Most plastic bags to be banned Oct 1
Washingtonians may see fewer plastic bags littering the state's roadsides, parks, and streams beginning Oct. 1 when the statewide plastic bag ban goes into effect. That's the plan,... — Updated 3/16/2022
Building industry group seeks pause on energy code requirements
A group representing the Washington state building industry wants to see a pause on energy code requirements implemented earlier this year until April as a stressed supply chain further increases home prices. On Aug. 26, the... — Updated 3/16/2022
Bear cub burned in Cedar Creek Fire recovering
A young bear cub seriously injured by the Cedar Creek Fire west of Mazama earlier this summer is recovering well at the Lynnwood-based PAWS animal rehabilitation center, officials... — Updated 3/16/2022
Ecology announces remedies for contaminated orchards
The Washington State Department of Ecology recently released a map showing the locations of about 115,000 acres of historic orchards that could be contaminated by lead arsenate... — Updated 3/16/2022
Salmon habitat rules would restrict agricultural uses
Advocates hope mandatory conservation of key habitat areas will help salmon runs recover, but opponents worry farmers will pay a price. House Bill 1838, to be known as the Lorraine Loomis Act in honor of the late Northwest Indian... — Updated 2/9/2022
New House bill would make oil owners financially liable for oil spills
The financial responsibility for an oil spill will fall on those who own the facilities and vessels that produce and transport oil under proposed House Bill 1691. “The goal is to minimize the permanent long-standing damage that... — Updated 2/9/2022
European green crab erupt in Willapa Bay
WILLAPA - Non-native European green crab are in the midst of a major expansion in Washington coastal waters, including Willapa Bay. The small crab is regarded as a potentially... — Updated 2/2/2022
Salmon bill adding habitat put on hold
On one issue, all in western Washington are agreed. Saving wild salmon runs is a priority. What is not clear cut, as testimony during a virtual State House of Representatives committee hearing indicates, is what sacrifices must be... — Updated 2/2/2022
B.C. government settlement extinguishes Skagit headwaters mining threat
After a nearly three-year process, the B.C. government, Imperial Metals and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC) have come to an agreement to halt mining in the Skag... — Updated 1/27/2022
Colville Tribe working to relocate lynx from Canada
Several lynx have been captured in Canada and relocated to the Colville Indian Reservation in in hopes that a resilient population will be established there in an effort that uses... — Updated 12/15/2021
Coho have banner year
In the complex world of salmon recovery, coho are something of a success story right now. This fall, a record 25,000 coho salmon passed over Wells Dam, the highest number since... — Updated 12/9/2021
'Magic': Peninsula gains acclaim as psychedelic 'shroom' capital
LONG BEACH PENINSULA - There's something magical happening in the sprawling sand dunes in Pacific County. During the dreariest days of fall, an army of furtive fungal foragers... — Updated 12/2/2021
Research locates cold-water areas crucial for fish survival
To humans, rivers in the Methow can seem pretty frigid, even in August. But for fish in the Methow, having cold water – really cold – is a matter of life and death. Aquatic... — Updated 11/17/2021
Adapting to fire helped save house and avoid a 'moonscape'
As the Cedar Creek Fire approached their house in July, Peter Polson and Shannon Huffman Polson were reasonably confident they'd done their best to protect their home. Today, the... — Updated 11/3/2021
Worried about the Big One? Consider a tsunami capsule
When the Cascadia Subduction Zone rips and shakes Edmonds and Puget Sound – and possibly unleashes a deadly tsunami – will you be ready? It's been 321 years and counting since t... — Updated 10/20/2021
Feds revisit wolves' endangered status
Gray wolves in the western United States, including in Eastern Washington, are a step closer to receiving endangered species protection from the federal government. The U.S. Fish... — Updated 10/6/2021
Meeting to reveal long-term recommendations for Lewis & Clark Trail, Palouse Falls and Lyons Ferry rescheduled
OLYMPIA–Washington State Parks has rescheduled its public meeting to share recommendations for long-term recreation and land use for three state parks in southeastern Washington.... — Updated 10/1/2021
Joy of clamming: Bivalve beach bounty astounds diggers
LONG BEACH PENINSULA - The first recreational razor clam digs of the 2021-22 season commenced over the weekend with thousands of diggers descending on the bountiful sands along the... — Updated 9/23/2021
Fires are 'season-ending event' for Methow Valley tourism
As wind and extreme dry weather continues to drive the growth of two Methow Valley fires, the best hope for the return of normal life and clear skies is fall rain, or ideally, an... — Updated 7/23/2021
'Homewaters' is our home, too
Edmonds is mentioned only in passing in a new book by Seattle author, naturalist, and educator David B. Williams titled "Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound" (Uni... — Updated 5/21/2021
Nisqually Land Trust, Nisqually Tribe Purchase 2,200 Acres of Land
The Nisqually Land Trust and the Nisqually Indian Tribe have entered into a historic partnership, purchasing 2,200 acres and over three miles of critical salmon habitat along Busy... — Updated 5/21/2021
