1/9 Helleborus, young enviros, Edmonds water, killer whale survey, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Helleborus

Helleborus
Here in the Pacific Northwest the blooming of Hellebores is a favorite late winter reminder that spring is right around the corner. The genus of Helleborus is comprised of 15 different species and belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Hellebores are perennial and largely evergreen. Their flowers provide color and interest in the shade garden when other plants are dormant. In addition, their leaf structure is interesting enough to make them a foundation of the shade garden year-round, even when their flowers are spent. Hellebores are also deer resistant and somewhat drought tolerant. (Portland Nursery)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  What the Growler Environment Impact Statement means off-Whidbey

Where are all the young environmentalists?
Political forces of today are different than those faced by activists even 10 years ago. To respond to them, environmental groups that appeal to younger people are adopting new tactics. Youth participation in environmental causes may appear to be less robust than in the past—cynicism about the authoritarian behavior of the federal government might be affecting that—but in many ways it has simply transformed. Erica Browne Grivas reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Edmonds adopts Critical Areas Ordinance with new aquifer area restrictions
After months of back and forth, the city council approved updates that proponents say better protect the town’s drinking water.  Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald) 

First Joint NOAA Killer Whale Survey Examines Endangered Southern Residents’ Shift to Coast
NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA Fisheries combined forces in a September survey of endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The survey employed new technologies to study the whales’ summertime shift to Washington coastal waters. (NOAA) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’ (NY Times) 
• House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders (AP) 
• Senate Advances Measure to Curb Trump’s Use of Force in Venezuela (NY Times) 

 Salish Sea News Week in Review 1/9/26: Apricots, December floods, nuke ventures, zero-emission trucks, glacier collapse, drift logs, NEPA, WA climate report.  

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  216 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON     

FRI  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in the  morning.  
FRI NIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 13 seconds.  
SAT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft  at 5 seconds and W 9 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 4 seconds and W  8 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 6 to 9 ft in the  afternoon. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 6 seconds and W 9 ft at  17 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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