BY LAUREL BAUM, CENTRAL CASCADES WATERSHED MANAGER As federal disruption reshaped how partnerships functioned and limited what agencies could carry forward, Conservation Northwest and our allies kept stewardship moving in ways that delivered real benefits for wildlife and communities. Dispersed Recreation Improvements Coming out of the spring we had a continuing project to improve site conditions at numerous dispersed recreation camp … Continued
By Matt Danielson, Okanogan Forest Sr. Coordinator The state of the Forest Service in 2025 left communities behind while land management pressed forward with shifting priorities. Across fire-adapted landscapes in Eastern Washington, federal changes reduced the capability of local Districts teams to extinguish wildfire near life and property and to ignite prescribed fires to reduce … Continued
The holistic impact of budget cuts, staff reductions, and diminished morale will deteriorate our shared resources BY LAUREL BAUM, CENTRAL CASCADES WATERSHED RESTORATION MANAGER Federal mass firings are just the beginning… If you’ve been following the news and updates of the Federal workforce, you may know some of the following: good, hard-working, dedicated, civil servants … Continued
Learn about the vital work Conservation Northwest is doing to protect our ecosystems by decommissioning roads, reconstructing rivers, and ensuring clean, safe water for both wildlife and people.
Learn about the vital work Conservation Northwest is doing to protect our ecosystems by decommissioning roads, reconstructing rivers, and ensuring clean, safe water for both wildlife and people.
New Department of Natural Resources plan will improve forest health and wildfire resilience By Michael Liu, Okanogan Forest Lead Springtime can mean a lot of different things to people. The return of songbirds, blossoming arrowleaf, longer days, and the opening of Highway 20 through the North Cascades. However, another definition for springtime is an … Continued
Conservation Northwest staff weigh in on U.S. Forest Service fire suppression fuelbreak tactics in the Methow Valley By Dave Werntz, Science and Conservation Director Nothing really prepares you for it. Even after everyone had seen the loaded log trucks for weeks—one after another, day after day—hauling down Twisp River road with big fat old trees … Continued
Conservation Northwest staff wrap up wetland restoration project building zuni bowls and rock weirs near Tonasket By Michael Liu, Okanogan Forest Lead As students begin returning to school, I’m reminded of a sign I had in college that read: Don’t let school get in the way of your education. The message was clear, learning often … Continued
Conservation Northwest led stakeholder efforts in the Snoquera Landscape Analysis and advanced the implementation of Central Cascades restoration objectives. BY LAUREL BAUM, CENTRAL CASCADES CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE & JEN SYROWITZ, CENTRAL CASCADES PROGRAM MANAGER Our Central Cascades Watersheds Restoration program (CCWR) works to connect and restore wildlife habitat north and south of Interstate 90 and on … Continued
2021 Fire Dispatch #3: Matchsticks or mosaic in the Methow *Editor’s Note: During the big wildfires that burned across eastern Washington in 2015, we published a series of “dispatches” from our staff living and working in communities affected by fire. As 2021’s fire season as gotten off to a historically challenging start, we’ve again encouraged … Continued