From limiting public input on forest restoration to complicating fisher releases, the government shutdown is affecting important local conservation efforts. By Chase Gunnell, communications director As the impasse in the other Washington drags on, there are a few notable examples of the federal government’s shutdown impacting Conservation Northwest’s work for local wildlife, wildlands and rural … Continued
From elusive wolverines to fishers and cougars, we compiled some of our favorite photos from the past year of the Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project. By Laurel Baum, Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project Coordinator Often times, humans and wildlife seem so separate from one another. Our concepts of life are completely different—for wildlife, it’s survival and reproduction. … Continued
Highlights from our year of keeping the Northwest wild. Both nationally and locally, conservation faced challenges in 2018. Yet, with our strategic and collaborative approach, we made important progress protecting, connecting and restoring wildlife and wildlands from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies. From reintroducing fishers and saving Blanchard Mountain to restoring critical … Continued
We’re part of a new collaborative effort to restore forest health near Lake Wenatchee and reduce wildfire risks for nearby communities. By Jen Watkins, conservation associate A flagship effort since Conservation Northwest’s founding, for thirty years our Forest Field Program has used science and collaboration to promote the restoration of wildlands in Washington and beyond. We … Continued
A year ago, I didn’t know what a fisher was. Last week, I watched them scurry into the North Cascades for the first time in nearly 80 years. By Keiko betcher, communications and outreach associate When I first heard of a fisher, I assumed, as many others do, it was a bird or a fish. … Continued
We collaborated with partners this year to make progress for two key areas in the northern half of our program: Spiva Butte in Douglas County and the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park in southern British Columbia. By Jay Kehne, Sagelands Program lead By now I hope you’ve heard about Conservation Northwest’s Sagelands Heritage Program, which … Continued
By Leigh Ann Gilmer, Development Director After a near 80-year absence, fishers are back in the North Cascades! This week, we released six fishers into North Cascades National Park Service Complex with our partners from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, and the Calgary Zoo. Elders, youth, and leaders from the Upper Skagit … Continued
Forest ecologist Dr. Jerry Franklin, member of our Board of Advisers, has authored a new book offering insights on forest management for the greater good of biodiversity. By Bert Loosmore, conservation northwest boardmember It was a troubling summer for parts of Cascadia. We suffered from smoke blanketing the region, and then watched in horror as … Continued
Our staff, partners and volunteers are improving public access and protecting habitat at the Green Gate access site on the Quilomene Wildlife Area by building an informational kiosk and installing green-dot road signs. By Rose Piccinini, Sagelands Contractor The Green Gate access site, off Old Vantage Highway east of Ellensburg, is the primary public access … Continued
The 2018 WildLinks Conference included Indigenous priorities for the first time, and initiated self-reflection on inclusion in the environmental movement. By Heather Hutchison, Development and Events Associate Conservation Northwest greatly recognizes and appreciates the Wenatchi People, the original stewards of the land where this year’s WildLinks Conference took place. We also thank the Colville Confederated … Continued