By Kurt Hellmann, Wildlife Recreation Coexistence Manager Conservation Northwest’s Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence Program (WREC) has led a new effort to address growing black bear conflicts near Leavenworth’s popular Ski Hill: the purchase and installation of a bear-resistant dumpster in the main parking lot. This project grew out of close working relationships with the local Washington Department … Continued
Conservation Northwest teams up with WDFW to help students safely coexist with black and grizzly bears By Kurt Hellmann, Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence Program Manager & Alycia Scheidel, Wildlife-Recreation Specialist “Who here has seen a bear?” Nearly every hand shot up. Dozens of middle schoolers wriggled in their seats, eager to share their encounters. “In the woods!” … Continued
Learn to respect wildlife this winter while enjoying the outdoors!
Conservation Northwest recently completed its pilot outreach project based near North Bend, WA. Dubbed as the Wildlife Ambassador Project, this effort connects people to the information they need to recreate with respect to wildlife across public lands. Conservation Northwest’s Seasonal Wildlife-Recreation Specialist was out in the field with volunteers each weekend from July 1 to September 3 to conduct outreach at the Middle Fork trailhead and campground. Below are her reflections on her summer working for Conservation Northwest.
It’s time for deeper reverence for Washington’s beloved landscapes and for the critters that call them home
A backyard connection point for People of Color and allies founded in community and admiration for the outdoors By Kurt Hellmann, Advocacy Associate The Refuge Outdoor Festival is a multi-day combination of workshops and activities meant to bring People of Color (POC) together to share, learn and connect in nature. Painting, music, bird watching, biking, … 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
Read about how to support lands that the Snoqualmie Tribe have lived on and cared for since time immemorial. Editor’s note: This content was written and shared by the Snoqualmie Tribe. As Conservation Northwest works to protect, connect and restore wildlands and wildlife, we are glad to help amplify the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement … Continued
New video features Conservation Northwest staff sharing tips and best practices for avoiding negative encounters with wildlife. From wildlife safety items to include in your pack, to how to deploy bear spray and set up a wildlife-safe camp, these proactive measures can keep both you and wild animals safe. Wildlife encounters can be rare, and … Continued
The recently-signed Great American Outdoors Act and a new report show the numerous benefits healthy public lands provide to Washingtonians By Keiko Betcher, Communications and Outreach Associate A recent report by the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) found our state’s outdoor recreation economy to be on par with its aerospace industry. That’s a big … Continued