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
Fence removal efforts in central Washington near Ellensburg support the seasonal movements of migratory shrub-steppe species. By Keiko Betcher, Communications and Outreach Associate For large mammals such as elk and mule deer, and for other sagelands species like burrowing owls and sage-grouse, fences are often a dead end—especially old, unneeded, barbed-wire fences. Some species, like … Continued
Legislation moving through Congress offers optimism for the economy, public health and conservation. By Mitch Friedman, Executive director We all know we’re living through a historic time. But did you know that amid the trauma related to public health, economic fallout, and the struggle for racial justice, we’re also experiencing historic conservation success and opportunity? I … Continued
Many Washington forests have been damaged by decades of abuse. You can help restore them back to health with a gift today! Imagine for a moment a scenic drive over Snoqualmie Pass, dense evergreen forests on either side of your car for miles and miles. Now what if I told you that much of this … Continued
The approved project includes a suite of actions for watershed and forest restoration, aiming to balance ecological and recreation needs. By Kathleen S. Gobush, Ph.D. and Laurel Baum, Central Cascades Watershed Restoration Program The Little Crow Restoration Project, located on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest just east of Chinook Pass, aims to restore ecological resilience in … Continued
Greater emphasis must be placed on restoration strategies that reduce flood risks to local communities, while restoring forests, floodplains, and habitat. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published as an Op-Ed in the May 12, 2020 edition of the Lewis County Daily Chronicle. Brian Stewart is our Cascades to Olympics Program Coordinator based in Onalaska … Continued
Years of stakeholder engagement on the Snoquera Project lays out a final plan for landscape-scale forest and watershed restoration in the Central Cascades. BY KATHLEEN S. GOBUSH, PH.D. and Laurel Baum, Central Cascades Watersheds Restoration Program In mid-March, after more than two and half years of planning, the U.S. Forest Service published its decision on … Continued
This year we had a record number of volunteers, put thousands of native plants in the ground, improved signage, and engaged with diverse partners to restore watershed health in the Central Cascades. By Laurel Baum, Central Cascades Conservation Associate From the vibrant slopes of Snoqualmie Pass near I-90 to the lush old-growth forests in the … Continued
How 30 people and 30 tons of rock can improve critical habitat for wildlife in north-central Washington. By keiko betcher, communications and outreach associate Recently, our Sagelands Program Lead Jay Kehne helped lead a three-day wetlands restoration workshop in north-central Washington’s shrub-steppe. The event brought together multiple state, federal, tribal and local partners for a … Continued
From field tours to habitat restoration events, we’re on-the-ground collaborating with several groups to restore watershed and forest health in the Central Cascades. By Laurel Baum, Central Cascades Conservation Associate If you drive about two hours southeast of Seattle, you can enjoy vibrant, old-growth forests, strong, rushing rivers, and if you’re lucky, view wildlife like … Continued