2/1 Red sea urchin, BC wolf kill, BC pulp paper, Nooksack flooding, kelp carbon, ECHO, burrowing owls

Red sea urchin [iNaturalist]

 
Red sea urchin Mesocentrotus franciscanus
The red sea urchin is a sea urchin found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Baja California. It lives in shallow waters from the low-tide line to greater than 280 m deep, and is typically found on rocky shores sheltered from extreme wave action in areas where kelp is available. (Wikipedia)

B.C. extends aerial wolf cull for five more years
A controversial wolf cull in B.C. has been extended for another five years, according to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.  The province's "aerial wolf reduction program" was quietly renewed beginning in the winter of 2021-22  and will target the Kootenay, Cariboo, Omineca, Skeena and Peace regions of B.C. Officials estimate 200 to 300 wolves will be shot from helicopters each year. Courtney Dickson reports. (CBC)

Island pulp and paper mills receive funding for projects to reduce natural-gas use
Harmac Pacific’s Nanaimo pulp mill will receive $12 million from the province to reduce its natural-gas use by upgrading its biomass boiler system, as part of more than $166 million in clean-technology funding announced Monday. Carla Wilson reports. (Times-Colonist)

Executive Sidhu: County Remains Committed to Partnership in Cross-Border Flood Planning Efforts
"Whatcom County does not and has no plans to “send” Nooksack floodwaters north to Canada." Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu.

Kelp Gets on the Carbon-Credit Bandwagon 
Is there potential for seaweeds to help solve the climate crisis? Nicola Jones reports. (Hakai Magazine)

US plays catch up with Canada to quiet ships for endangered orcas
Canada’s ECHO Program setting the benchmark for protection of southern resident killer whales, with the US said to be five years behind in its efforts. Eric Priante Martin reports. (Trade Winds)

Goodbye chemical weapons, hello burrowing owls
A decommissioned military base in northeast Oregon provides sanctuary for a recovering burrowing owl population. The Global Owl Project aims to protect endangered owl species all over the world. One lucky owl species...is the little burrowing owl. Chris Morgan and Matt Martin report. (KUOW/The Wild)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  256 AM PST Tue Feb 1 2022   
TODAY  NW wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 7 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SE after midnight. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds.

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