Animals in Spring: Gartner Snake

Walking on a sunny day in the spring you might catch a glimpse of a small, slender snake sunning itself on a rocky outcrop. Garter snakes are common reptiles of Western Washington forests and are known as a friend to farmers and gardeners. They are active March-...
Native Animal of the Month: Bobcat

Native Animal of the Month: Bobcat

Bobcat: Lynx rufus There are more Bobcats living in King County than you might think! If you ever find yourself at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve at night, you may be lucky enough to see one.  Generally, Bobcats are nocturnal and hide during the daylight in rock crevices...
Native Plant of the Month: Oregon Grape

Native Plant of the Month: Oregon Grape

Oregon Grape: Mahonia Nervosa Oregon Grape is a species of flowering shrub, native to western North America and commonly found throughout the Puget Sound Region.  It is an evergreen with holly-like leaves often found growing in the understory of Douglas fir forests....
Native Plant of the Month: Red Alder

Native Plant of the Month: Red Alder

Red alder, Alnus rubra Many of us enjoy the musical sounds of nature.  To builders of electric guitars and electric bass guitars Red Alder is treasured for its tonality.  A perfect pairing of nature and man. Red Alder is a deciduous, broadleaf tree native to the...
AJCE Carbon Tax

AJCE Carbon Tax

“As a self-identified environmentalist, I’m always on this rollercoaster of emotions around climate impacts, and especially over last summer and fall. It usually feels like nothing I could do is ever enough. Luckily, such moments of despair and resignation...
Animals in Winter: The Long-toed Salamander

Animals in Winter: The Long-toed Salamander

The Long-toed Salamander or Ambystoma macrodactylum, is one of the most ecologically versatile amphibians in the Pacific Northwest.  It occurs in wetlands, like ours, as well as temperate conifer forests, plains, and meadows.   Long-toed salamanders are one of the...