The Freedom to Move: Why Wildlife Crossings on I-5 Matter

The Freedom to Move: Why Wildlife Crossings on I-5 Matter

By Brian Stewart, Cascades to Olympics Program Manager When the world changes, survival depends on more than just resilience—for people and wildlife, it means having the freedom to move. Movement has always been a vital part of adaptation, allowing species to leave behind harsh or unlivable conditions in search of better ones. Throughout history, this … Continued

Middle schoolers contribute to connectivity science used in the I-5 wildlife crossing feasibility study in Southwest Washington

A unique and inspiring collaboration between the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Road Ecology Center at the University of California Davis, and Toutle River Middle School is beginning the edification and education that will cultivate young conservationists and a more connected landscape.

Monitoring wildlife movement along I-5 in the Chehalis Basin

A veteran’s perspective on the habitat connectivity internship in the Cascades to Olympics landscape By Cory Mounts, Cascades to Olympics intern Across the nation population growth and the associated development has continued to expand, as it has in Western Washington for the last several decades. This growth has forced conservationists to ask a fundamental question: … Continued

World Rivers Day: a focus on the Chehalis Basin

In recognition of World Rivers Day, learn about our work in the Chehalis Basin and watch a free viewing of Chehalis: A Watershed Moment By Brian Stewart, Cascades to Olympics Program Coordinator World Rivers Day, which was September 26, 2021, is a day used to highlight the importance of rivers, and encourages stewardship and conservation … Continued

Why the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s acquisition of Centralia Mine makes sense

State acquisition of TransAlta property in Lewis County offers opportunity for public land access and wildlife habitat By Brian Stewart Over the last few months we have heard the opinions and fears of prominent Lewis County residents rejecting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s proposed land acquisition of the degraded TransAlta Centralia Mine property. … Continued

A word of thanks to the Satsop River habitat connectivity volunteers

Blackberry removal volunteers support wildlife passage under Highway 12 By Brian Stewart, Cascades to Olympics Coordinator On Friday July 16 and Saturday July 17 Conservation Northwest held two volunteer events at the Satsop Restoration Project, clearing blackberries from under the Highway 12 bridge to improve habitat connectivity in this Cascdes to Olympics project area, and … Continued

Researching elk, black-tailed deer, and other species in need of wildlife crossings in the Chehalis Basin

Garrett Brummel shares his experience working with the Veterans Ecological Trades Collective to monitor wildlife along I-5 during his Cascades to Olympics internship. By Garrett Brummel, Cascades to Olympics Intern As a first-year graduate student in Evergreen State College’s Masters of Environmental Studies program, I have been focusing most of my research on treponeme-associated hoof … Continued

Veterans Ecological Trades Collective and Cascades to Olympics partnership

Conserving wildlife and wildlife corridors while training veterans in conservation and habitat connectivity. By Brian Stewart, Cascades to Olympics Coordinator Through our Cascades to Olympics Program, we’re working to connect wildlife populations in southwest Washington long separated from their natural habitats by development and major highways like I-5. One area of interest along the I-5 corridor identified … Continued