Event: Weaving the Web: Soil, Pollinators and Human Health

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Al Bergstein

Registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/606771559067

Join Jill Allison to learn about techniques to create a healthier home garden which include pollinators! This is a virtual event.

Starts on Wednesday, August 2 · 5pm PDT  (Changed from May 20)

Jill will review the effects of pesticides on pollinators, soil and human microbiome and how we as a community can affect change.

Presenter: Jill Allison – Jill has a background in science and medicine which adds to her understanding of the interactions (and the biology and chemistry) relating to the interactions between soil health, pollinator health and human health. Jill has a B.S. in biology, graduate studies in bacteriology and public health and a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving, and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering, or donating to our organization. To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

Filed under: education, environmental education | Leave a comment »

Event: Clamming at Fort Flagler

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Al Bergstein

Program: Clamming at Fort Flagler

Sunday June 18th @ 10 AM. (Changed from June 4th)

Location: Lower Campground – Fort Flagler State Park

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/606796955027

Join the Friends of Fort Flagler to explore and harvest our local clams at the lower campground of Fort Flagler next to the Beachcomber Café.  We will identify local shellfish, discuss the common harvest tools and how to use them, how to read a tide table book and why!  How to care for your catch after harvest and finally a few
suggested ways to prepare them. As Michael Zimmerman said, “It’s a treasure we have in Puget Sound and particularly at Fort Flagler to spend a low tide watching the sea and beach life and the rewards of harvesting your own dinner, fresh from the beaches.  If we do it right, the resource will be there for us, generations to come.”

What should folks bring? (shovel, rake, gloves) #2 shovel-long handle, tined garden scratcher, separate small or medium size bucket (each digger must have their own container), gloves–rubber garden gloves are best but not required, shellfish license if over 16 years old.  For Fishing License in Washington State, the age limit for residents is 16 to 69 years. For Youth, they must be 15 years of age. And For senior citizens, the age limit is 70 and above. There are special reduced-fee licenses for disabled residents and non-resident disabled veterans.  A one or three day license might suffice for some folks if they don’t plan to shellfish again.

PS–ALL nonresidents must have a license regardless of age.

Presenters

Michael Zimmerman was a Washington State Park Ranger for over 40 years.  Michael has a lifelong love for parks and the beach and earned his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. He helped raise two boys and taught them as well as friends, neighbors and thousands of park visitors how to identify, harvest and prepare all
types of shellfish–clams, oysters, crab, shrimp and even seaweeds. 


Harry Louch was a Washington State Park Ranger for over 30 years.  He has been digging clams his entire life.  He passed the joy of clam digging to his kids, as well as park visitors. Harry found that it “was great fun helping
those new to the sport learn the best harvesting methods and where to look for clams.”

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving, and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park.  Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization.  To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

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The Washington State Standard begins publication

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Al Bergstein

A new news web site covering all doings in Olympia has launched. The Washington State Standard. From their “About” page.

If you care about Washington state, you should be reading the Standard. The Washington State Standard is an independent, nonprofit news organization that produces original reporting on policy and politics. We help readers understand how Washington state government works and how decisions made by those in power affect people living and working here. Our stories shed light on how the state is spending tax dollars, implementing laws and carrying out major projects. At election time, you can turn to us for campaign coverage and during the legislative session we’ll have the latest on all the action in Olympia.

We do not shy away from tough stories and we delve into the state’s most critical issues, like housing, homelessness, education, environmental concerns and criminal justice. We Always strive for fairness with our reporting and make sure underrepresented communities have a voice in our coverage. On our Commentary pages you can find thought-provoking opinion articles by writers who are not part of our nonpartisan news reporting staff. 

As a nonprofit, funded by donations, we have no paywalls, no ads and no subscription fees. Thanks for reading!

The Washington State Standard is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Standard retains full editorial independence. Consider a tax-exempt donation to support our work.

Free to Republish

Our articles are available to other outlets under Creative Commons licensing. If you have any questions about republishing, contact us at: info@washingtonstatestandard.com.

Tips, Questions, Comments, Corrections

You can send news tips, feedback and questions to editor, Bill Lucia, via blucia@washingtonstatestandard.com. Please also let us know about errors, clarifications or suggestions for followup stories. We appreciate you taking time to do so.

Commentary Submissions

If you would like to write a guest opinion column, please visit our Commentary Submissions Page.

Filed under: Around the Sound, environmental education | 2 Comments »

PT Marine Science Center- ED Bee Redfield resigns, Diane Quinn chosen as replacement

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Al Bergstein
From PTMSC: We are both sad and happy to report some important news about PTMSC. As you may know, Bee Redfield, our executive director, assumed a more limited role in February in order to prepare for her final PhD requirements at Purdue University. While this plan for a temporary hiatus was in place since her hire last spring, Bee more recently made the decision for personal reasons not to return to the ED position and asked the board to seek a replacement. She says, “I am fully dedicated to supporting PTMSC through this transition and beyond. I love PTMSC, the team, and the Port Townsend community, and I am so grateful for the time that I spent with you all.” The board appreciates Bee’s exemplary performance as ED and is grateful for her many accomplishments. And Bee’s achievements are many. Her biggest legacy will probably be what we think will become an iconic landmark in Port Townsend: a gray whale skeleton on Union Wharf which is scheduled to be installed this summer. She also expanded the Future of Oceans lecture series, oversaw new programming at the Flagship Landing building downtown, and strengthened the internal systems of the organization.Upon receiving the news, the board carefully assessed the organization’s evolving needs and prioritized the talents, skills, knowledge, and experience that the ideal ED candidate would bring to the job at this time. They recognized that this talent existed within the organization and were delighted when Diane Quinn, our Program Director of over six years, accepted the position. 
Diane Quinn, PTMSC's new Executive DirectorQuinn brings extensive leadership experience from her two decades at the Burke Museum in Seattle. As Director of Education, she helped to expand the scale, budgets and impacts of school and public programs. She nurtured innumerable community partnerships, contributed to the development of major exhibitions and participated in long-term, new museum planning resulting in a major capital campaign.Quinn’s long relationship with PTMSC started in 1998 when the Burke and PTMSC collaborated on a new exhibit at Fort Worden. She remembers, “In working with Libby Palmer, Judy D’Amore, and Anne Murphy, the founders and founding executive director, it was clear that the organization has a unique role in the local community, that community marine science centers have a critical role in the broader community of practice, and that change for the better happens in communities and in the world through sustained effort and commitment.”Besides her track record of successful regional collaborations, and her pre-existing relationships with many community leaders, Diane has developed a deep mutual trust between herself and the PTMSC staff over the past six years in her role as Program Director. Her comprehensive knowledge of the organization, especially in terms of program and operations, as well as her experience with creative program design and organizational transformation, makes her an ideal fit for the top leadership position at this time in PTMSC’s journey. We are all very excited about the future of PTMSC and thank you for your part in making that future possible.

Filed under: Around the Sound, environmental education, Jefferson County, Port Townsend | 1 Comment »

EVENT: Puget Sound Day on the Hill Livestream! May 9th

Posted on May 4, 2023 by Al Bergstein

Dear Puget Sound recovery community, 

Registration is now open for two Puget Sound Day on the Hill livestream events!

 

Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force – coordination of resources, policies, and programs to support ecosystem and salmon recovery and the protection of treaty rights

May 9, 2023 | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. PDT

REGISTER HERE

The first livestream event, on May 9, will be a panel discussion about Puget Sound recovery with representatives from federal agencies moderated by Peter Murchie, Puget Sound Geographic Program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Tentative panelists include:

  • Sara Gonzalez-Rothi, senior director for water, Council on Environmental Quality
  • Zach Penney, senior advisor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Steve Kopecky, deputy chief, Northwest Division Regional Integration Team, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Zach Schafer, senior advisor, Office of Water, EPA
  • Karnig Ohannessian, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for environment and mission readiness

 

Puget Sound Day on the Hill event with Congressional delegation and Admiral Hann

May 10, 2023 | 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. PDT.

REGISTER HERE

The second livestream event, on May 10, will feature members of the Washington Congressional delegation and Admiral Nancy Hann of NOAA’s Commissioned Officer Corps. The livestream will take place from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. PDT.

Tentative schedule:

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.Rep. Strickland
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.Rep. Larsen
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Admiral Hann
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Rep. Schrier
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Rep. Jayapal
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.Rep. Kilmer
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.Sen. Murray
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Sen. Cantwell
  

Rep. DelBene will stop by between Rep. Kilmer and Sen. Murray

Please join us for these livestream events to support Puget Sound and salmon recovery and to encourage the good work done by federal agencies and our Congressional delegation. Both events will be recorded and available to view for registered participants.

We hope you’ll join us on May 9 and 10!

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, education, Environmental Activism, environmental education, Environmental Law, Events, Government | Comments Off on EVENT: Puget Sound Day on the Hill Livestream! May 9th

EVENT: Heroes of Our Time May 6th

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Al Bergstein

The Northwest Toxic Communities coalition is proud to present our annual Summit 

 “Heroes of Our Time”

Hear the challenges they have faced along the way to success

Saturday May 6  –  9 AM – 3 PMJoin us virtually to celebrate Dr. David Carpenter, public health champion for communities v. Monsanto Attorney Marc Zemel on the Spokane River PCB cleanup against the USEPA Attorney 

Charlie Tebbutt, author and public advocate for cleaning up CAFOs

RSVP here: https://nwtoxiccommunities.org/event/annual-summit-2023-heroes-of-our-time/  (And see an enlarged flyer)

Option:  If the RSVP Google.doc link above does not work for you; email me your name and email address:  darlenes@olympus.net

The URL to the meeting will be released Friday, May 5.

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EVENT: NHS hike in Miller Peninsula 4/26

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Al Bergstein

Join the Natural History Society for a hike in Miller Peninsula State Park on Wednesday, April 26. Ken Wilson will lead this 7.7 mile round-trip hike. Please RSVP (and say whether you will drive yourself or carpool), or ask Ken questions:  jltnatural@saveland.org  

If carpooling, meet at Haines Place Park&Ride at 9:15am. We will all meet at 10am at Miller Peninsula State Park parking area, approximately a 30-minute drive as you travel towards Sequim from Port Townsend. Expect to be back at cars by 3pm.

The park is located off highway 101: turn right at Diamond Point Road and travel 1.2 miles, then turn left to the parking area. (There’s just a tiny sign.) Print a trail map in advance, or take a photo of the map in the parking lot. The state’s newest park has a trail through the best old-growth madrone forest we’ve seen, leading to a deserted beach on a shoreline facing Protection Island. We will visit Thompson Spit, known for birding and flowers. The best description of this hike is found in Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano.

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Briefing: Legislative Priorities Lobby Days

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Al Bergstein
From the newly named Washington Conservation Action organization.

Join us at Washington Conservation Action for our first, action-packed virtual briefing of 2023! 

What: Insider Briefing: Legislative Priorities, Lobby Days & our New Brand
When: Friday, February 10th, 1-2PM
How to Join: Via Zoom 

RSVP here to receive Zoom meeting link and login details 

As of January 1st, our former organizations Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters have joined forces to become Washington Conservation Action! We’ll kick off this briefing with a short update from Communications Director Zachary Pullin, who will share the latest about our new name and brand and answer your questions. From that point, we’ll dive right in and provide you with an insider peek on the work at hand.

With the 2023 legislative session in full swing, our Government Affairs Director, Darcy Nonemacher, will talk about our priorities in this long legislative session, how they build on previous environmental wins in the last few sessions and share her insights. Then they’ll provide an overview and sneak peek of Environmental Lobby Days 2023, which will be held on February 14-16th. They’ll share why this annual coming together of activists and advocates concerned about Washington’s environment is so important, provide a preview into the online sessions we’ll be offering, and offer thoughts on why you should get involved. Zachary, Darcy and I are excited to give you the inside scoop, so please join us! 

Kat  
Kat Holmes (she/her) 
Field Director
Washington Conservation Action
Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters are now Washington Conservation Action.

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, Environmental Activism, environmental education | Comments Off on Briefing: Legislative Priorities Lobby Days

Event: Northern Elephant Seals in the Pacific Northwest virtual program

Posted on December 31, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Northern Elephant Seals in the Pacific Northwest virtual program on January 25th@7pm

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northern-elephant-seals-in-the-pacific-northwest-tickets-483953085707

Please join the Friends of Fort Flagler to learn more about Northern elephant seal natural history and distribution. We will also discuss common causes of stranding in Northern elephant seals, field assessments and our recent hospital cases.

Presenters:

Casey Mclean has over 12 years’ experience working with marine animals, and is the Executive Director of SR3, Washington’s first dedicated marine animal hospital.  SR3 is a nonprofit organization that focuses on response, rehabilitation and research of local marine wildlife. The hospital opened the summer of 2021 and immediately started helping harbor seals. is fall they will be opening a marine animal hospital in the Des Moines marina, just south of Seattle. To learn more about SR3, visit https://www.sealifer3.org/

Michelle Rivard is the veterinarian for SR3.  Dr. Michelle Rivard is an aquatic animal veterinarian focused on clinical medicine, pathology, and health of free-ranging marine mammals. In her role at SR³, Michelle provides medical management and care of stranded aquatic wildlife, performs postmortem examinations, and participates in ongoing research projects.  Michelle attended veterinary school at Michigan State University. 

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization. To learn more, visithttps://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

Filed under: environmental education, Environmental Science, Events, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend | Comments Off on Event: Northern Elephant Seals in the Pacific Northwest virtual program

Ken Balcomb walks on

Posted on December 15, 2022 by OlyOpen

“It is not enough to have compassion. You must act.” Tenzin Gyatso 14th Dalai Lama

Incredibly sad news this morning that Ken Balcomb, the founder and senior scientist of the Center for Whale Research has passed. His influence on the protection of orcas in the Pacific Northwest cannot be underestimated. He was a giant in the world of whale research and environmental protection. While others may choose to work only on restoration, he was involved in restoration and protection. He didn’t just have compassion for the orca. He acted on it. All too few these days are really acting for protection of our natural world. Ken’s life is an example for all of us.

He will be missed.

Rather than write an obit, here is where you can read about his life and career.

kcb | CWR (whaleresearch.com)

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, Environmental Activism, environmental education | 1 Comment »

What you should know about Industrial Raised Shellfish Aquaculture: An overview

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Kristina Sinclair gave a presentation to the Protect the Peninsula’s Future’s (PPF) meeting last night. I share her presentation with you with her permission. The questions that this presentation raises are many. What is the limit to these operations on our beaches? How much of the Sound and Hood Canal do we the people of this State want to see turned into the images in this presentation? Since 2000 the State has engaged in a promotion of commercial geoduck aquaculture for the profit of a small number of companies selling almost entirely to China. Do we want this to continue unabated? Can we expect local state and federal legislators who receive significant political contributions from these businesses to make changes on our behalf? Without considerable public outcry this will continue. Watch this slideshow, look at the map and you make up your mind.

Kristina Sinclair is an Associate Attorney at the Center for Food Safety (CFS), where she focuses on environmental cases challenging industrial agriculture, including commercial shellfish.

Kristina earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in law school, Kristina was an Articles Editor for the California Law Review. She also participated in the Environmental Law Clinic, served on the steering committee for Students for Economic and Environmental Justice, and worked as a teaching assistant for Appellate Advocacy. Upon graduation, she received recognition for her pro bono work and a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law.

Since joining CFS, Kristina has been working on a lawsuit challenging highly disruptive industrial shellfish operations in Washington. In this case, CFS and Coalition to Protect Puget Sound allege that the U.S. Army Corps (USACE) failed to properly consider the potential risks before reissuing the nationwide permit for commercial shellfish activities in January 2021, in violation of the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. In addition, USACE has authorized over 400 commercial shellfish operations without any public notice or environment review. Consequently, these operations have significant adverse effects on Washington’s local environment and wildlife.  In this presentation Kristina provides an overview of USACE’s shellfish permitting requirements, as well as the ongoing litigation challenging USACE’s unlawful shellfish permitting actions. She also shares some insights from this legal work and potential opportunities for future advocacy.  

  • Background on USACE’s Permitting Requirements
  • History of USACE’s Unlawful Permitting Actions in Washington
  • Previous Case
  • Current Case
  • Future Opportunities

Interactive map of Industrial Shellfish Aquaculture in Puget Sound & Hood Canal.

Below is the PDF of the Slideshow. It is over 4MBs so it might load slow on a slow link.

2022-11-17 Industrial Shellfish SlidesDownload

Filed under: Aquaculture, Clallam County, Environmental Activism, environmental education, Environmental Law, Environmental Protection, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

A Stark Assessment

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Photos from around the world by New York Times photographers. Got friends or family who don’t believe Climate Change is real? Send them this set of photos.

Our Changing World: The Climate Crisis in Pictures – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Filed under: Climate Change, environmental education | 4 Comments »

EVENT: Join Protect the Peninsula’s Future for its 49th Year Celebration (Virtual) 

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Al Bergstein

The PPF has been spearheading environmental challenges to the most difficult problems we have faced: a nuclear power plant on Miller Peninsula, Northern Tier pipeline that would have gone in right off Protection Island, and more recently, the ever-growing industrial shellfish industry and their often illegally permitted farms, as proven in a court case against the Army Corps of Engineers.

Thursday, November 17, 7:00 PM        RSVP to PPF@olympus.net to receive the Zoom connection*

Our featured speaker this year is Kristina Sinclair, Associate Attorney at the Center for Food Safety

Topic: “What You Should Know About Industrial Raised Shellfish

*Space is limited to 100.

Kristina Sinclair is an Associate Attorney at the Center for Food Safety (CFS), where she focuses on environmental cases challenging industrial agriculture, including commercial shellfish.

Kristina earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in law school, Kristina was an Articles Editor for the California Law Review. She also participated in the Environmental Law Clinic, served on the steering committee for Students for Economic and Environmental Justice, and worked as a teaching assistant for Appellate Advocacy. Upon graduation, she received recognition for her pro bono work and a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law.

Webinar: Since joining CFS, Kristina has been working on a lawsuit challenging highly disruptive industrial shellfish operations in Washington. In this case, CFS and Coalition to Protect Puget Sound allege that the U.S. Army Corps (USACE) failed to properly consider the potential risks before reissuing the nationwide permit for commercial shellfish activities in January 2021, in violation of the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. In addition, USACE has authorized over 400 commercial shellfish operations without any public notice or environment review. Consequently, these operations have significant adverse, effects on Washington’s local environment and wildlife.  In this webinar, Kristina will provide an overview of USACE’s shellfish permitting requirements, as well as the ongoing litigation challenging USACE’s unlawful shellfish permitting actions. She will also share some insights from this legal work and potential opportunities for future advocacy.  

  • Background on USACE’s Permitting Requirements
  • History of USACE’s Unlawful Permitting Actions in Washington
  • Previous Case
  • Current Case
  • Future Opportunities

Filed under: Environmental Activism, environmental education, Environmental Protection, Events, Olympic Peninsula | Comments Off on EVENT: Join Protect the Peninsula’s Future for its 49th Year Celebration (Virtual) 

Event: Birding in the Park: Fort Flagler

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Birding and nature tours are now being held on the 4th Saturday of each month. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for changeable weather. bring binoculars and your own water.

Registration: Please send Bev an email, subject: Birdwatching Walk to Bevybirds53@gmail.com and she will plan directly with you. Please note this program is dependent on good weather.

Presenter: Beverly McNeil, Admiralty Audubon trip leader and photographer, has been conducting bird walks at Fort Flagler. Beverly’s photographs are displayed at the Port Townsend Gallery: http://porttownsendgallery.com/artists/beverly-mcneil/.

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization. To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

Filed under: environmental education, Events, Jefferson County | Comments Off on Event: Birding in the Park: Fort Flagler

Event: Forest Defense is Climate Defense – Port Townsend 9-17

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Please join Center for Sustainable Economy, Center for Responsible Forestry, and the Emergency Conservation Committee PNW on September 17th, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Port Townsend Community Center (right next to Farmers Market)  for a panel discussion on the climate impacts of industrial logging activities and what decision makers at the federal, state, and local level can do to scale up climate smart alternatives that represent a win-win-win for climate, communities, and workers. More information about the event can be found here. Please share the event on Facebook here. The panel will feature former Commissioner of Public Lands (2009-2017) Peter Goldmark, Dr. John Talberth, and Jessica Randall speaking about the scientific and economic case for protecting Olympic forests for their climate benefits and what strategies are in play to accomplish that goal. A lively discussion will follow, so please be prepared to share ideas on what you think needs to happen. See you then!

Filed under: Environmental Activism, environmental education, Events | 2 Comments »

Four years after Tahlequah’s journey, the legal and ethical debates over orca protection continue to evolve

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Salish Sea Currents looks back and forward on the game changing plight of Tahlequah, the mother who lost her young orca.

It has been four summers since a mother orca’s dramatic vigil brought worldwide attention to the plight of Puget Sound’s southern resident killer whales. A recent gathering of legal experts, conservationists, and academic scholars looked at how perceptions of the whales have changed since then and whether laws and policies should reflect new thinking about ethical responsibilities to orcas and other animals. Sarah DeWeerdt reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

Salish Sea Currents

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, environmental education, Orcas | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Four years after Tahlequah’s journey, the legal and ethical debates over orca protection continue to evolve

EVENT: Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate 

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Al Bergstein

Sierra Club North Olympic Group’s June Presentation (Online only)
Dr. Chad T. Hanson Research Ecologist and Author Thursday, June 16, 7PM  

RSVP:  https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002GriJAAS

Natural fires are as essential as sun and rain in fire-adapted forests, but as humans encroach on wild spaces, fear, arrogance, and greed have shaped the way that people view these regenerative events and have given rise to misinformation. The peril that these myths pose to forests is profound—affecting whole habitats and the wildlife that depend on them. The exploitation of these carbon dioxide-absorbing ecosystems also threatens humanity’s chance of overcoming the climate crisis. 

Dr. Chad Hanson will address these issues and suggest a better, science-based, and more hopeful path forward, as he discusses in his new book, 

Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate 

https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813181073/smokescreen/. 

Dr. Hanson is a research ecologist and the director of the John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute, located in Big Bear City, California, and has a Ph.D. in ecology with a research focus on fire ecology in conifer forest ecosystems. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed studies on forest and fire ecology and is also the co-editor and co-author of the 2015 book, The Ecological Importance of Mixed-Severity Fires: Nature’s Phoenix.

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Whale Trail Spring Gathering 2022 

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Al Bergstein

The Whale Trail runs through the Strait, with viewing locations along the way. Perhaps you might be interested in attending this event. I don’t believe it’s online. In person only. It is in West Seattle, so those on the West side of the Sound could take a ferry and walk, bike or bus to the event.


Welcome Spring with special guests Rachel Aronson (Quiet Sound), researcher Mark Sears and Whale Trail Director Donna Sandstrom on March 24, 7 p.m., in West Seattle. Rachel will introduce us to Quiet Sound, a new program to protect whales by reducing noise and disturbance from large vessel like tankers, container ships and ferries. Mark will share photos from recent field research, including encounters with southern resident orcas. Donna will recap news around The Whale Trail, including upcoming events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Springer’s rescue! Attendance limited; masks optional but recommended. Register here. 

Filed under: Around the Sound, environmental education | Comments Off on Whale Trail Spring Gathering 2022 

2022 NW Toxic Communities Summit -3/26

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Al Bergstein

UW SRP and the NW Toxic Communities Coalition are excited to announce the 2022 NW Toxic Communities Summit on Saturday, March 26, 9 am–4 pm PST.

This year’s theme is “Together We Can – Scientists and Advocates Working Together for Environmental Health” – speakers include Joel Clement (Harvard University), Robert Martin (former EPA Ombudsman), Jill Witowski Heaps (Earthjustice), Rhonda Kaetzal (ATSDR), Millie Piazza (WA Dept of Ecology), and Denise Trabbic-Pointer (Sierra Club).  

Please see attached poster and REGISTER HERE.

Filed under: environmental education | Comments Off on 2022 NW Toxic Communities Summit -3/26

Science center to open shop in PT

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Al Bergstein

While this story is behind a paywall, worth noting that the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is finally opening their downtown location. Go check it out!

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will open its doors to the public Friday to show off the completion of the first phase of the nonprofit organization’s move from Fort Worden State Park to downtown. About 50 people attended a crisp outdoor ceremony Wednesday that highlighted the center’s 40-year anniversary and its pledge for conservation and marine stewardship. Brian McLean reports.

(Peninsula Daily News)

Science center to open shop

Filed under: education, environmental education, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula, Places, Port Townsend | Comments Off on Science center to open shop in PT

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