1/20 Melting, Clayoquot Sound logging, Stillaguamish R., way of whales, WetlandVille

PHOTO: Ric Hallock, Gig Harbor Life

“... weather is what’s happening outside the door right now. Climate, on the other hand, is the pattern of weather measured over decades.” Martha Baskin at Green Acre Radio reports on It’s Cold and My Car is Buried in Snow. Is Global Warming Really Happening?  

During the 2008 snow storm, Seattle chose an environmentally benign mix of sand and snow plows-- and the city was immobilized. Last year, the city switched from de-icing brine that is essentially salt based, sodium chloride, to less toxic magnesium chloride brine. Magnesium chloride melts ice faster, so less needs to be used, they say. Does it hurt the environment? Not to worry says the State Department of Ecology. Fast melt could pose environmental challenges

The First Nations-led logging company Iisaak espouses forestry practised in concert with ecological and cultural values, and has applied for permission to log old-growth forest areas on Clayoquot Sound’s Flores Island. In opposition, B.C. scientists are among more than 133 experts from across North America joining the call for permanent protection of old-growth rainforests in Clayoquot Sound.  Scientists call for protection of Clayoquot Sound forests

The 26-member Stillaguamish Watershed Council will report on what it’s been doing for the health of the Stillaguamish River system at a public meeting next Wednesday at the Angel of the Winds Casino restaurant conference room.  Watershed council to explain its work in keeping Stillaguamish River healthy

If you love whales: The annual Way of Whales workshop is about the wonders of Pacific Northwest whales, the threats to their habitats and health, and the research being conducted to learn more about the diverse species of whales in our region and protect them for future generations. January 28, Camp Casey Conference Center, Coupeville. Register here.

Exxon Mobil says 1,509 barrels of oil spilled into the Yellowstone River during a pipeline break in Montana last summer, not 1,000 barrels as it earlier estimated.  More than 1,000 Exxon Mobil contractors were involved in the cleanup effort, which cost $135 million. Only about 10 barrels of crude were recovered - less than 1 percent of the total spilled. Yellowstone spill 1,500 barrels, not 1,000

Thanks to Josh for passing this on:  Students participating in the University of Washington Bothell’s Center for Serious Play have released a new Facebook game called UWB Wetlands Restoration that centers around the natural world outside their campus walls. Players maintain the biological diversity of the wetland by obtaining up to 30 species of plants such as broadleaf arrowleaf, sitka willow and tufted hairgrass and  planting them in areas to support biological diversity of the wetland, all while fending off invasive plants. Players determine where to establish the plants, as well as snags, rock piles, ponds and logs, strategically placing them on the virtual wetland in order to create a more vibrant ecosystem. A FarmVille for wetlands? Students create Facebook game with proceeds going to wetland restoration

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI JAN 20 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING
TODAY
E WIND 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING SE 25 TO 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 7 TO 10 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF
 11 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 11 TO 14 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 11 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT
W WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 14 TO 17 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 12 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT NIGHT
S WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 20 FT.
SUN
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 17 TO 20 FT.
SUN NIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING S 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 15 TO 18 FT.

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