Environment
Environment
In North Central Washington, Forest Thinning, Controlled Burns Help Slow Wildfire
As wildfires have burned throughout the Northwest this summer, some forest stands have fared better than others. Managers say that’s thanks, in part, to thinning and prescribed burns, which have made the stands more resilient in the face of wildfire.
Could A New Fish Passage System Help Snake River Salmon?
Whoosh Innovations said its fish passage system could transport salmon quickly over the Snake River dams – and generate $60 million over 10 years by diverting water from fish ladders to hydropower turbines.
Skeptics Of Sea Otter Reintroduction Getting Organized On Pacific Coast
Sea otters are undeniably cute, but cuteness only goes so far when major economic interests are at stake. That’s an inference you can make from the emergence of organized pushback to the possible reintroduction of sea otters along the Oregon Coast.
How The View From Space Is Helping Fight Wildfires On The Ground
Scientists have discovered they can track fire lines and can quickly draw attention to spot fires using satellites.
Hopping Into The Wild: Endangered Frog Release Could Help Boost Only Known Population In Washington
Northern leopard frogs are rapidly disappearing in the Northwest. Biologists hope this effort will help the population in Washington.
U.S. Senate Infrastructure Package Could ‘Significantly Improve’ Salmon Habitat
Funding to help fix culverts could open up cold water habitat to Northwest salmon.
Fish Managers Say Salmon Runs ‘Could Have Been Worse,’ After Underwater Video Shows Heat-Stressed Salmon
This summer’s heat wave led to some unhealthy hot water for salmon. But, fish managers said it hasn’t been as devastating for salmon runs as the warm water temperatures were in 2015.
Pining For Whitebarks: Researchers Work Across The Northwest To Save ‘Quintessential Wilderness Trees’
If you’ve ever backpacked in the Northwest’s mountaintops, you’ve likely spent some time among whitebark pines. These important trees are bringing together researchers across the West, who want to save them from a fatal fungus.
Western Ranchers Are Cuttin’ Herds Like Mad To Prep For A Winter With Short Hay
From Oregon to the Dakotas, hay stocks for hungry cattle are already low. On top of that, ranchers say summer pastures are dry from the widespread drought.
Seismic Research Ship Goes Boom-Boom To Seek Answers At Origin Of The Next Big One
Earthquake researchers are eager to dig into a trove of new data about the offshore Cascadia fault zone. When Cascadia ruptures, it can trigger a megaquake known as “the Big One.” The valuable new imaging of the geology off the Oregon, Washington and British Columbia coasts comes from a specialized research vessel.
The Mysterious Return Of Glacier Ice Worms On Mount Rainier
There are thread-like worms on Mount Rainier that reserachers are looking at live at 32 degrees or they die… called ice worms.
Florida Breaks Annual Manatee Death Record In First 6 Months Of 2021
More manatees have died already this year than in any other year in Florida’s recorded history, primarily from starvation due to the loss of seagrass beds, state officials said.
