Cutting the federal government has always meant cutting our communities By Matt Danielson, Okanogan Forest Sr. Coordinator I used to work for the Forest Service in Okanogan County. It was 2014, and the economy was just starting to show positive signs of recovery from the Great Recession. I was concerned about my ability to get … Continued
Beyond the Headlines: Why Federal stewardship is critical for our collective well-being Federal actions are threatening the stability of our economy, environment, and essential public services. Public lands and the agencies that manage them are not just recreational spaces or bureaucratic institutions- they are the foundation of thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable industries. When … Continued
As society grapples with a rapidly changing sociopolitical landscape, what does that mean for our natural world? Across Conservation Northwest, certain words appear over and over in recent emails—layoffs, reductions in force, chaos, uncertainty. Thus far in 2025, we are witnessing unprecedented disruptions to our mission and communities: deep staffing cuts across public land agencies, … Continued
By Paula Swedeen, PhD., Senior Policy Director State Initiative 2117, hatched by wealthy hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, would repeal Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and prevent the state from EVER putting a price on carbon emissions again. This is bad for everyone because it would make our climate more unstable, our air dirtier, our … Continued
Diverse stakeholder group met throughout 2021 to discuss the emerging issue of electric-powered bicycle access on Washington’s public lands BY KURT HELLMANN, ADVOCACY ASSOCIATE AND WILDLIFE-RECREATION COEXISTENCE PROGRAM LEAD Electric-powered bicycles (e-bikes) are a rapidly growing form of recreation in the outdoors. While great for carbon-free transit up steep city streets, where else can e-bikers … Continued
We believe that DNR forest management should be guided by actions that result in long-term ecological health, mitigate climate change, and support sustainable economic contributions to the state as a whole and to local communities. By Paula Swedeen, Ph.D., Policy Director Conservation Northwest, along with our co-plaintiffs Washington Environmental Council, the Olympic Forest Coalition, and … 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
The future of this beautiful place and critical habitat corridor depends on you! Your urgent gift could make the difference in our Cascades to Rockies Capital Campaign. The foreground of that photo, taken by Justin Haug, a WDFW wildlife biologist, is critical sage steppe habitat comprising the historic Figlenski Ranch, in the Tunk Valley of central Okanogan County. … Continued
Indigenous people aren’t waiting for government to act to restore salmon to the Upper Columbia River, they’re taking the lead. By Chase Gunnell, Communications Director Last weekend, our Executive Director Mitch Friedman had the honor of participating in a Salmon Ceremony at Kettle Falls (presently covered by the reservoir of Lake Roosevelt) with members of … Continued
We are excited about this opportunity for landscape-scale forest and watershed restoration on the Wenatchee River Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. By Chase Gunnell, Communications Director Along with our partners in the North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative, since 2018 our staff (most recently our Okanogan Forest Lead Michael Liu and Conservation Program … Continued