11/3 Red alder, BC old-growth logging, Cascade snowpack, kids climate suit, Puget Sound 'street view,' Skagit coho, AGs for local news, June and Farrar Burn

Red Alder

 
Red Alder Alnus rubra
There are about eight alder species that reach tree size in the United States and Canada, about 20 or 30 species worldwide. Red Alder is found from southeast Alaska to southern California, with some isolated communities in northern Idaho. The wood of Red Alder was second only to Cedars in its use for woodworking by natives.  Dishes, spoons, platters, masks and many other items were made from Red Alder wood.  Alder wood is considered the best wood for smoking salmon. (Native Plants PNW)

‘Extremely frustrating’: B.C. announces 2.6 million hectares of at-risk old-growth, no permanent protections
The announcement, which comes one full year after B.C.’s expert panel recommended the province introduce immediate deferrals in old forests facing irreversible biodiversity loss, is short on specifics and funding for affected First Nations, critics say. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal) See also: BC Unveils Plans to Defer Logging of Old-Growth Forests  Green Leader Furstenau calls it ‘an essential and overdue first step.’ Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee) And: B.C. promises to consult First Nations before pushing ahead with old-growth logging deferrals  (CBC) And: Forest companies, First Nations unhappy with B.C.'s plan to defer old-growth logging  (Vancouver Sun)

Cascades heading toward a future with little to no snowpack, new analysis suggests
Annual snowpack will no longer be a guarantee in the Pacific Northwest if global warming continues unchecked. Peak annual snowpack in the Cascade Mountains could decline by nearly a quarter by 2050 and up to nearly three-quarters by the end of the century, according to a new analysis from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Bradley Parks reports. (OPB)

Settlement negotiations fail between Oregon climate activists and government attorneys
Attorneys for 21 young people suing the federal government over climate change say settlement talks with the U.S. Department of Justice have failed. Juliana v. the United States was filed six years ago in Eugene. The 21 youth plaintiffs are represented by attorney Julia Olson with Our Children’s Trust. She said they went into the settlement negotiations in good faith. Rachael McDonald reports. (KLCC)

Armed with a paddle and a GoPro, entrepreneur aims to create ‘Street View’ of Puget Sound
We’ve all indulged in a little voyeuristic spying and exploration using Google Maps’ Street View, peering at homes and other landmarks. Brian Footen is creating a similar experience for shorelines — but with a greater purpose in mind. He wants to help save Puget Sound, the region’s environmental jewel. Because while Washington’s inland sea looks beautiful from the surface, it’s ailing on many fronts. Populations of salmon, orcas and seabirds are declining. The water is becoming more polluted and acidic. Underwater forests of kelp and eelgrass are shrinking. Lisa Stiffler reports. (GeekWire)

Coho fishery continues amid surprise returns
Because more coho salmon are returning to the Skagit River watershed to spawn than expected this year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife last week announced a third extension of fishing on the Skagit and Cascade rivers. The Cascade River fishery is extended through Nov. 30 and the Skagit River fishery through Dec. 31. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Washington AG Bob Ferguson rallies other state leaders to help build back local journalism
Local journalism has been in crisis for decades. But since the pandemic started, more than 90 local newsrooms in the U.S. have closed their doors for good. There's now a push in Congress to provide tax credits for local newsrooms to hire journalists. It's in play as part of the Build Back Better bill still being hammered out, and it has a big champion in Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. He and other attorney generals around the country are urging Congress to pass it. Kim Malcolm and Andy Hurst report. (KUOW)

June and Farrar Burn: Homesteading in the San Juan Islands
June (1893-1969) and Farrar (1888-1974) Burn, newly married in 1919 and searching for adventure and the best place to start their lives together, consulted an atlas and decided that the San Juan Islands in the far Pacific Northwest was where they wanted to begin. They moved to Sentinel Island, the last available homestead in the archipelago, and it was the start of their decades-long love affair with the area.  Lynn Weber/Roochvarg writes. (HistoryLink.org)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  245 AM PDT Wed Nov 3 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING 
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH  THURSDAY EVENING   
TODAY  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 7 ft  at 12 seconds. Rain. 
TONIGHT  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 ft  at 12 seconds. Rain.

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