An eastern bluebird spotted for the first time on the banks of the Columbia River in Richland, Washington. Credit: Jane Abel Listen (Runtime 1:58) Read Birders from across the state… Continue Reading Birders flock to the first Read More
A silhouette of a forest fire. Credit: Egor Vikhrev, Unsplash LISTEN (Runtime: 1:02) READ Many states are failing to adequately budget for wildfire costs before, during and after fires, according… Continue Reading Many states fail to Read More
Scientists are studying old wildfires to find what forest treatments slowed the flames – and what treatments didn’t work so well. Researchers are looking closely at the Schneider Springs fire, the largest wildfire in Washington in 2021. Continue Reading Read More
Geese congregate along the shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Nov. 5, 2022. Credit: Lauren Paterson / NWPB Listen For over 30 years, Native American Heritage Month has been federally-recognized. Northwest… Continue Reading Coeur d’Alene Read More
Grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service LISTEN (Runtime: 1:11) READ Federal officials are taking another look at bringing grizzly bears into the North Cascades.… Continue Read More
Cathy McMorris Rodgers gives her victory speech after claiming an eighth term as a US Representative for Washington’s 5th District. Credit Emily Schwing/N3 LISTEN (Runtime: 1:05) READ If U.S. Rep.… Continue Read More
Jennifer Garcia with her daughter, Hannah, 2. Garcia found out the soil in her yard tested high for arsenic. It’s left over from pesticides sprayed before the 1950s on this… Continue Reading Does your soil have Read More
Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often in the Pacific Northwest that ships collide with whales. But when it does, it's upsetting, tragic and the whale probably dies. Three separate teams have developed smartphone-based systems that can alert commercial mariners to watch out, slow down or change course when whales have been sighted nearby. A recent ride-along on a big Read More
Part of the Box of Rain timber sale that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources approved to go to auction in December. Photo courtesy of the Center for Responsible… Continue Reading State land Read More
Jevencia Marshall, 2, peers into a tank of juvenile lamprey at the Screech at the REACH event Friday. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt, Northwest News Network. LISTEN (RUNTIME: 1:00) READ As a… Continue Reading Spiders, Read More
For 90 days, an oil leak went undetected by the Army Corps of Engineers at Little Goose Dam in southeastern Washington. CREDIT: Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Flickr Creative Commons… Continue Reading Hundreds of gallons Read More
Emerald LaFortune recording Traverse Talks at the NWPB studios on March 8th, 2022. Emerald LaFortune grew up being lured into the wilderness by her parents, who placed little pieces of… Continue Reading Navigating Rough Waters and Tough Conversations Read More
Emerald LaFortune grew up being lured into the wilderness by her parents who placed little pieces of candy in the middle of a hiking trail to guide her along. Now,… Continue Reading Navigating Rough Waters And Read More
A drone image of salmon during spawning season in Alaska. CREDIT: Daniel Auerbach LISTEN READ Searching for the places where salmon lay eggs, known as redds, is getting a boost… Continue Reading Drones could help researchers count salmon nestsRead More
Swarms of aphids pulse the air in Moscow, Idaho, during a late-October afternoon. CREDIT: Linda Weiford, WSU News Listen (Runtime 1:01) Read No, that’s not snowflakes you’re seeing on these… Continue Reading It’s not snowflakes, it’s Read More
The shore of Soap Lake is gray and gritty Listen Soap Lake’s unique healing properties can be explained by it’s even more unique ecology (Runtime 4:39) Read The recognition of… Continue Reading Salts, bacteria and Read More
This particular adventure begins with the search for a bird. However, like many discoveries that venture a bit off course, birder Chris Lindsey found something much more interesting: a Western blue pygmy butterfly. The smallest butterfly in North America. Read More
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for the public’s help to find who poisoned six wolves in northeastern Washington. Continue Reading Wildlife officials confirm 6 wolf poisonings in northeastern WashingtonRead More
This year’s fire season has been the mildest year for Washington in a decade. But, the season isn’t over yet. Continue Reading Washington’s fire season the mildest in a decadeRead More
Salmon advocates want negotiators to consider salmon and the Columbia River’s ecosystem as a part of an agreement between the U.S. and Canada. Continue Reading Salmon advocates ask to include healthy ecosystems in Columbia River Read More
Breaching the Snake River dams is one major way to protect salmon, according to a final federal report announced Friday on salmon and steelhead recovery in the Columbia River Basin. Continue Reading Federal report recommends Read More
A growing technology is helping scientists save time and effort when they study rare critters and vast places. Continue Reading With A Few Cups Of Water, Scientists Use eDNA To Study Reclusive, Rare CreaturesRead More
A demolition contractor on Thursday imploded the towering smokestack and 19-story boiler building at Portland General Electric’s shuttered coal-fired power plant near Boardman, bringing a symbolic close to the era of coal-fired power generation in Oregon. Imported electricity generated from coal still flows through transmission wires across the Pacific Northwest, but that Read More
A first-of-its-kind climate resiliency website will help communities understand climate-related risks, the Biden administration said. The new website, launched Thursday, provides real-time information and predictions for local communities that are more vulnerable to disasters, such as wildfires, heat waves and droughts. Read More
If two British Columbia tailings dams fail, it could spell disaster, according to two reports that analyzed the chances of the dams failing. Continue Reading B.C. Tailings Dam Failure Could Spell Disaster For Canada, Washington, Read More
Collisions between vehicles and large animals, like deer, are not only scary. The medical, car repair and cleanup costs really add up. That is according to a new study out of Washington State University that supports the case for building more wildlife crossings on highways. Read More
A much-awaited report said removing the four Lower Snake River dams shouldn't happen right now, but dam removal is the best way to protect Snake River salmon. Continue Reading Breaching The Four Lower Snake River Dams Not An Read More
Even with smoke, you can breathe easier. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have practical tips to keep the air clean inside homes despite the smoke in Northwest skies. Continue Reading Scientists Work To Protect Indoor Air Read More
Professor William Ripple says the wetlands and streams created by beavers act as firebreaks that could slow wildfires, a big issue in the West. Listen Amid droughts, wildfires, and climate… Continue Reading Scientists Release Plan To ‘Rewild The Read More
A federal study ordered by Congress concluded it would be feasible to reintroduce sea otters to the Oregon and northern California coasts. However, that finding doesn't mean the super-cute predators will be relocated into their former ocean habitat anytime soon. Read More
Up on a hilltop in Yakima County, Carole Degrave used to spend hours outside, watching wildlife, eating an apple, and enjoying the calm. In her backyard, wind chimes blow softly in the breeze. A 30-year-old apricot tree shades the center of her yard. Read More
Checking every inch of a streambed for freshwater mussels requires a snorkel and a wetsuit. It’s a messy job, but it’s vitally important as these keystone species are declining throughout the West. Continue Reading CTUIR Read More
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are tagging and releasing lamprey to learn more about their journey to sea from inland rivers. Continue Reading Scientists Use Tiny Tags To Learn How Young Lamprey Travel Through Read More
To recover healthy salmon populations, one or more of the Snake River dams must be breached, in addition to other actions, according to a new draft report released Tuesday by federal officials. Continue Reading Federal Report Read More
Part 1: To Unravel Some Of The Ocean’s Mysteries, Scientists Head To Sea At least twice a year, scientists board the Bell M. Shimada, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration… Continue Reading Unlocking the Ocean’s Black Box With Read More
Storing renewable energy is critical in the Northwest. A draft review for the region’s largest proposed energy storage project is available for public comment. Continue Reading Comments Sought On ‘One Of Best Pumped Storage Sites’ In Read More
The Bell M. Shimada is designed to gather scientific information. But the collaborative effort of the crew and officers makes scientific endeavors at sea possible. Continue Reading More Than Work: Living On A Ship, Crew, Officers Become Read More
One single-celled oceanic organism could provide big answers to questions about climate change. Continue Reading This Single-Celled Sea Critter Could Help Scientists Learn About Climate ChangeRead More
Phytoplankton make up an extremely important part of the ocean’s food chain, serving as food for organisms that feed young salmon and other fish in the ocean. Continue Reading Growing Phytoplankton To Learn More About The Ocean’s Food Read More
Scientists aboard the Bell M. Shimada keep an eye out for whales. One scientist hopes to help predict where whales will show up by studying the food they eat. Continue Reading Watching For Whales – And Their FoodRead More
At least twice a year, a team of scientists on NOAA's research vessel Bell M. Shimada survey waters along the Washington and Oregon coast. Continue Reading To Unravel Some Of The Ocean’s Mysteries, Scientists Head To SeaRead More
Breaching the dams would be the best way to remove Snake River salmon runs from the Endangered Species List and the best way to maintain treaty and trust obligations with tribes, according to the report. It could cost from $10.3 billion to $27.2 billion. Read More
Four members of the U.S. Congress recently got a close look at Washington’s Snake River dams. Continue Reading Members Of The Congressional Western Caucus Get A Close Look At Snake River DamsRead More
Eastern Washington is in for another hot, dry summer. But – spring rains mean the west side of the state will no longer face a drought. Continue Reading While Spring Rains Help Most Of Washington, Parts Still Under Emergency Read More
The place where salmon spend most of their lives also is the place scientists know the least about: the ocean. Continue Reading Scientists Head To Sea To Learn More About Ocean ConditionsRead More
Fewer people in the Northwest are learning to hunt, which causes funding problems for state fish and wildlife departments. To solve the funding problem, experienced hunters are teaching newbies how to get involved in the sport. Read More
A recent salmon field trip has helped students become more curious about salmon. Continue Reading Salmon Summit Teaches Kids About Conservation, ScienceRead More
The Washington State Parks Commission says it wants more Black community members to enjoy the outdoors. Continue Reading Report To Washington State Parks Commission Shows Barriers For Black Community OutdoorsRead More
Bringing salmon back to the Upper Columbia River will take a lot of time and a lot of money, according to the Upper Columbia United Tribes. Continue Reading $3 Million Will Help Tribes Study Salmon Reintroduction In The Upper Read More
A bill that could provide the most significant wildlife funding in 50 years is a little closer to becoming law, according to conservation groups. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act on Thursday passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Read More
