9/1 Vine maple, city climate, North Cr, entanglements, porpoise strandings, bird sense, all-electric work boat, BC name change

Vine maple

Vine maple Acer circinatum
Vine maple flourishes as an understory tree in moist woods with dappled shade and along stream banks. In native stands vine maple commonly occurs with bigleaf maple, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, grand fir, and Pacific dogwood, with sword fern underneath. This species also grows in open areas and is considered to be one of the best native trees for the home landscape. (WSU)

For local communities, combatting climate change starts with more plants, less pavement
Almost a year before the heat dome hit this summer, officials in King County began documenting how the built environment causes some places to get hotter than others. Dark surfaces like asphalt and pavement absorb and reflect the heat, while trees and shrubs provide cooling shade, leading to what some refer to as the “urban heat island effect.” Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Of Serbs and salmon: How an immigrant’s heirs helped save a creek from development 
The city of Gig Harbor is about to snatch 11.5 acres of Native American history and prime salmon habitat out of the path of development, thanks in part to the heirs of a Serbian immigrant. The land lies along North Creek in the rapidly developing north end of the city. If all goes well, it will become a nature preserve, and later, part of a trail system that will connect with the Cushman Trail, said Robyn Denson, a City Council member who has been working with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to put the deal together. Kerry Webster reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Whales and turtles could be protected from entanglement under new conservation plan
A new conservation plan to protect turtles and whales from entanglement has been released by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Getting entangled in fishing gear is often deadly for these animals. When whales get caught in the vertical fishing lines that attach the buoys to the crab pot, their fins and flukes get wrapped up in the ropes. It can take them up to 6 months until their injuries from these lines ultimately kill them. The rope can cause severed appendages or lead the whale to starvation because they are not able to dive to catch their prey. Sophia Prince reports. (Jefferson Public Radio)

Area sees 'odd uptick' in harbor porpoise strandings
Two dead harbor porpoises were recently found washed ashore on Fidalgo Island. Dr. Cindy Elliser, founder of the Anacortes-based nonprofit Pacific Mammal Research, told the Anacortes American while it is not uncommon for calf strandings to occur this time of year, it is rare for two dead porpoises to be found within a few days of each other. Questen Inghram reports. (Anacortes American)

Can Birds Help Us Avoid Natural Disasters?
Researchers think birds can hear hurricanes and tsunamis—a sense they’re hoping to tap into to develop a bird-based early warning system. Jason Gregg reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding students build Clean Bay, an launch all electric, zero-emission work boat
The Clean Bay is an all electric, zero-emission work boat built by students of the school that will be based out of Port Ludlow Bay to provide free pump out services to recreational mariners. The school also launched a traditionally built 28-foot-long Herreshoff Rozinante canoe yawl sailboat that was also built by students and instructors at the school. Zach Jablonski reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Majority of British Columbians in new survey say no way to B.C. name change
Most B.C. residents don't want the name of their home province to be changed to reflect the area's Indigenous heritage, according to a survey created by Research Co.  Of the 800 adults surveyed, 60 per cent said they do not want to change the name of the province. About 26 per cent of respondents supported the name change, while 14 per cent said they were undecided. Younger residents were more likely to believe that we should change the name of the province and acknowledge our Indigenous heritage than those over the age of 55. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  318 AM PDT Wed Sep 1 2021   
TODAY  Light wind becoming N to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  2 ft at 7 seconds.

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