
Pacific nine bark [Steve Sullivan]
Pacific ninebark Physocarpus capitatus
Pacific ninebark is abundant along wet roadsides in our area. It
favors moist to very wet soils, but also can sometimes be found on
drier sites. It does fine with "flashy" hydrology (alternatingly
wet and dry) which makes it useful for planting stormwater ponds
and other fluctuating water edges. The twigs and greenery provide
browse for wildlife.
Today's top story in Salish Current: Gray whales are struggling; researchers look to new tools
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Hood Canal, a pillar of the state’s shellfish economy, a popular draw for recreational harvesters and stewarded by Native people for millennia, has been closed to harvest all summer because of a potentially deadly biotoxin. Scientists sounded the alarm in June when a survey at Hoodsport picked up microscopic Alexandrium catenella cells. When ingested by humans, the toxin produced by the alga can lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning, a severe illness that can be deadly. The biotoxin can’t be cooked or frozen out of shellfish. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)
LNG Canada dropped commitments to operate ‘without routine flaring,’ docs reveal
For years, LNG Canada made environmental commitments in documents submitted to B.C.’s energy regulator. It removed them before the facility launched — then the flaring started. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)
They’re all part of a network of groups created by the nonprofit Data Center Coalition, an industry group hoping to improve public opinion of data centers as pushback grows. In each of these states, a growing number of local governments and legislatures are considering and passing policies meant to slow data center growth. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard)
July 29, marks the beginning for the Duwamish headed to Canoe Journey 2026, Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch, which continues an inter-tribal celebration and annual gathering of Northwest Indigenous nations. After preparing and training for months, the Duwamish Tribe Canoe Family is poised to join and celebrate the annual canoe journey, Healing Through Our Waters By Honoring Our Ancestors, from July 29 to August 5. (West Seattle Blog)
Democracy Watch
- No soup for you: These are the federal grants Trump squashed in Ore., Wash. (Columbia Insight)
- ACLU files federal claim over monthlong Blaine detention (Bellingham Herald)
THU W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.
THU NIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.





