Editor’s Note: The below is the second of our dispatches from staff living or working in the north-central Washington communities impacted by this year’s fires. Dave Werntz, our Science and Conservation Director, lives in Twisp. His family evacuated to the westside this past weekend. By Dave Werntz, Science and Conservation Director Along with my wife and … Continued
Editor’s Note: The below is the first in a series of blog updates from our staff who live or work in the north-central Washington communities impacted by this year’s fires. Look for more updates, photos, real-time coverage and perspective in the coming days and weeks. We also want to express deep gratitude to all the firefighters, … Continued
For those who want to help, The Seattle Times has put together a great list of opportunities to donate to wildfire response efforts in north-central Washington: http://bit.ly/1LpjOa2 Friday Update Tonasket, the Aeneas Valley and portions of the outskirts of the cities of Omak and Okanogan were evacuated last night. As of 9:00 am this morning, evacuation levels … Continued
Please sign the petition today asking Congress to reauthorize our nation’s most important conservation program. Content from our friends at The Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition Time is ticking down and as of today there are only 50 days left until America’s most important conservation and recreation program expires. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), … Continued
For more than two decades, the Forest Field Program has advocated for sustainable and ecologically sound management of public forests in the Pacific Northwest. By Mikey Jane Moran, Communications Intern In the dry forests of Eastern Washington, ponderosas rise in thick spires like sentry’s looking over the countryside. In the understory, thick brush and a tangle … Continued
By Dave Werntz, Science and Conservation Director It’s true. As stated in today’s Op-Ed in The New York Times (More Logging Won’t Stop Wildfires by Chad T. Hanson and Dominick A. DellaSala), Wyoming Senator John Barrasso’s legislation to mandate a four-fold increase in federal forest logging won’t stop wildfires, improve conditions for wildlife, or address the legacy of old-growth … Continued
By George Wooten, Conservation Associate According to a July 23rd update, the Newby Lake Fire is now 95 percent contained. A medium-sized wildfire, the Newby Lake Fire, is presently burning in the area of the Loomis State Forest (also known as the Loomis Natural Resource Conservation Area), important Canada lynx habitat which Conservation Northwest saved from logging in 1999. The … Continued
Our Executive Director Mitch Friedman was honored to attend the grand opening of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB)’s new administrative and community building last week near Keremeos, British Columbia. Conservation Northwest helped fund and initiate this new building, and we’re proud to see it complete. “The vision is protection of the band’s natural and cultural heritage … Continued
By Paula Swedeen, Policy Director Conservation Northwest has joined with the Humane Society of the United States and other groups to petition the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to amend its three-year cougar hunting quota rules finalized on May 1st 2015. The petition requests that cougar hunting quotas be returned to levels proposed by the Department in … Continued
We’re partnering with the Mule Deer Foundation on the Working for Wildlife Initiative, a collaborative effort to bring safe wildlife crossings to Highway 97 and maintain the Okanogan’s working lands and wildlife heritage. By Jay Kehne, Okanogan Conservation Associate On June 20th, the Okanogan Trails Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation will hold its 2nd annual Banquet and … Continued