The search for grizzly bears in the North Cascades through monitoring cameras, backcountry navigation and volunteer dedication. By Peter loft and jack mcleod, citizen wildlife monitoring project volunteers Sweating, swatting flies and inspecting scrapes, I watch my buddy slip off the massive, moss-covered boulder and disappear into eight-foot-high devil’s club—the most aptly-named plant in the … Continued
A small, fragile meadow played a big role in our work restoring degraded watersheds in the Central Cascades this summer. By Laurel Baum, Central cascades conservation associate On any given day, if you travel up into Western Washington’s Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, you’ll come across a variety of people recreating on our public lands. From … Continued
In response to a local op-ed, Bob Everitt, former Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Regional Director for Northern Puget Sound, wrote the following piece supporting restoration of grizzly bears in the North Cascades. By Bob Everett, wildlife biologist and retired WDFW regional director I am writing to address the concerns Snohomish County Councilman Nate … Continued
After decommissioning nearly 3 miles of unauthorized, user-built trail near the Loomis State Forest, Canada lynx and other species can enjoy greater security and movement through this critical habitat. By Keiko Betcher, Communications and outreach Associate When it comes to connecting and restoring landscapes, every section counts. Especially for endangered species like Canada lynx. This … Continued
Mitch Friedman, our Executive Director, shares insights from serving on the Budget and Policy Advisory Group for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. MAY 2019 UPDATE: A setback from Olympia for wildlife and ecosystems BY MITCH FRIEDMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Washington has not been adequately funding its Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) enough for … Continued
Voting Yes on I-1631 will help spare our planet from a frightful fate! Washington provides an exceptionally spooky scene for Halloween. Days become shrouded in menacing fog and gray clouds, dissipated by cold darkness promptly at 6 p.m. The rustling of fall leaves elicits a wary glance over your shoulder. But there’s another presence lurking … Continued
Last month, our Sagelands Heritage Program team and several volunteers removed miles of old fences and improved habitat for elk and other Central Washington wildlife. By Rose Piccinini, Sagelands Contractor Friday, September 21st was a gorgeous day to be in the field. We had two dedicated volunteers come out and join Washington Department of Fish … Continued
Working from Ellensburg, Rose uses her extensive experience as a wildlife biologist to support our work to maintain, restore and connect shrub-steppe landscapes for the good of both wildlife and people. By Rose Piccinini, Sagelands Contractor When I started my career as a general wildlife biologist, I expected a moment of clarity that would solidify … Continued
Wildlife protections and healthy rural communities can coexist. BY DAVE WERNTZ, SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION DIRECTOR, AND PAULA SWEDEEN, POLICY DIRECTOR Marbled murrelets, small, plump fast-flying seabirds that nest in old forests along coastal areas, are declining rapidly. Unlike other seabirds, they raise their young on the wide, mossy branches of old trees, flying up to … Continued
Based in Omak and working with local groups and leaders, Jay Kehne shares why Highway 97 wildlife crossings are so important for his community. By Jay Kehne, Sagelands Program Lead Just north of my home outside the city of Omak, there’s a stretch of highway where my wife and many of my neighbors have been … Continued