12/15 Poinsettia, migratory birds, spotted owl, monarch butterfly, Trump's logging, poop power

Poinsettia [iNaturalist]

Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
The red cultivated poinsettia, which goes by Euphorbia pulcherrima, is a native of central Mexico and extends southward into South America. But Christmas poinsettias don't just come in red. Various cultivars have been bred from hybridizing the red poinsettia with a white species of poinsettia, known as Euphorbia cornastra, which is restricted to southwestern Mexico in the state of Guerrero. But, aside from the bright red or white leaves, the wild plants don't look as much like the poinsettia in your home. In Mexico, they often become small trees!  (iNaturalist)

Federal battle ahead for migratory bird protections
From atop a dike Monday morning on Fir Island, Skagit Audubon Society President Jeff Osmundson and group member Tim Manns could identify the birds in all directions...Manns and Osmundson trained their spotting scopes on each species for U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) while they rattled off facts about the birds most often seen in Skagit County. Larsen is touring birdwatching sites with Audubon Society groups in the state’s 2nd Congressional District because he’s concerned about an upcoming change to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Northern spotted owl’s Endangered Species Act status will remain unchanged
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service ruled against upgrading the iconic Northern spotted owl’s protection status Monday under the Endangered Species Act. The agency said the species’ continued decline warrants a reclassification from “threatened” to “endangered’' but it elected against taking that step because it considers other listed species to be higher priorities. According to the service, the decision was based on a scientific report that was peer-reviewed by academic and industry experts. The service said a status change would not result in any additional regulatory restrictions under the Endangered Species Act — nor would it impact the actions taken to conserve the species. Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB) See also: Endangered-species decision expected on beloved butterfly  Trump administration officials are expected to say this week whether the monarch butterfly, a colorful and familiar backyard visitor now caught in a global extinction crisis, should receive federal designation as a threatened species. John Flesher and Ellen Knickmeyer report. (Associated Press)

Groups blast Trump logging plan aimed at reducing wildfires
Conservation groups are blasting a Trump administration decision officials said will reduce wildfires by streamlining environmental reviews of timber salvage projects. WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Project and seven other groups say the rules approved Thursday fast-track projects to benefit logging, grazing and mining while eliminating public comments. The new rules also speed the cutting down of pinyon-juniper woodlands in the U.S. West...Specifically, the administration finalized what are called categorical exclusions to the National Environmental Policy Act. That's a 1970 law that typically requires federal agencies to study potential environmental effects of proposed actions before starting work. Keith Ridler reports. (Associated Press)

From poop to power: Manure from 2,300 cows may run 600 homes
The black-and-white patched faces of 400 dairy cows peered out curiously from their barn last week, ears flicking nervously at faces they didn’t recognize. These cows, along with 2,000 others at Werkhoven Dairy locations, help generate enough electricity to power 300 homes. Using an anaerobic digester, Werkhoven works with the Tulalip Tribes to turn cow manure and food waste into power. And through an upcoming partnership, the Snohomish County Public Utility District plans to double that capacity and harness it for customers. Julia-Grace Sanders reports. (Everett Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  231 AM PST Tue Dec 15 2020   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON   
TODAY  SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 12 ft  at 12 seconds. Rain in the morning then rain likely in the  afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  20 ft at 17 seconds. A chance of rain.

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