3/3 Catkins, new orca calf, fossil fuel promotion, BC climate window, oil gas lobby, no WA gas tax hike, Port Townsend MSC

Willow catkin [Rick Spitzer]

Willow catkins
Willows are most commonly found growing in moist, sunlit meadows and are easily identified by their long, slender leaves that hang down and appear as if they are “weeping.” Willows are a part of the Salicaceae family, along with poplar, aspens and cottonwood. The willow has a specialized flower called a catkin. A catkin is a cylindrical flower cluster with few to no petals. Catkins are found in some other tree species, such as birches, hickories and chestnuts. (Rachel Holland/Vail Daily)

New calf joins endangered southern resident orcas; 2 other pregnancies lost
A new calf was born to J pod of the southern resident orcas, Center for Whale Research director Ken Balcomb confirmed Tuesday morning. But the birth to orca mother J37 is tempered with news of the loss of two other pregnancies in southern resident families. The endangered whales’ population is now 74. Scientists John Durban and Holly Fearnbach, of the marine mammal research and rescue nonprofit SR3, reported that routine, noninvasive monitoring of the orcas by drone photography determined two of the three expecting orcas had lost their calves. J19 and J36 appear to have decreased significantly in body width, and neither had calves with them, the scientists reported. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Campaign calls for ban on ‘fossil fuel promotion’ in B.C. schools
A new campaign is calling on Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside to ban curriculum developed by fossil fuel companies from B.C. schools. The B.C. chapter of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment published a letter to the minister on Wednesday calling for a ban on industry-developed teaching materials and lesson plans, citing the example of a FortisBC program that provides teachers with free, classroom-ready K-12 lesson plans as an example of “industry-level promotion” of fossil fuels in B.C. schools. The program, called Energy Leaders, was developed by FortisBC and offers lessons and education material on energy solutions, conservation and safety that are “based on B.C.’s current curriculum,” according to its website. Nathan Griffiths reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Climate report a dire warning, says international panel's UBC professor
Last year alone, B.C. endured a heat dome — which killed hundreds of people — wildfires, catastrophic floods and deadly landslides. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Document reveals influence of oil and gas lobbyists on B.C. officials after Indigenous Rights ruling
Internal documents released through freedom of information legislation show industry lobbyists claim the precedent-setting Blueberry ruling will lead to 10,000 job losses and tens of millions in lost annual revenue for B.C. But government figures and expert analysis suggest calculating the true economic impacts of respecting Indigenous Rights is a more complicated — and potentially more positive — tale than industry is telling. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

No increased WA gas tax in 'unprecedented' $16.8B transportation budget
Washington legislators keep calling this year’s $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal “unprecedented.” And in many ways it is. There’s $3 billion for public transit, a huge increase over previous packages. And a lot more money for pedestrian and bicycle improvements — $1.3 billion— all paid for by the carbon cap-and-trade fee approved last session, also unprecedented for the state. But what’s missing from the budget is perhaps the most unusual of all. This year’s transportation budget does not include an increase in the state’s gas tax. Liz Giordano reports. (Crosscut)

Science center to open shop
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will open its doors to the public Friday to show off the completion of the first phase of the nonprofit organization’s move from Fort Worden State Park to downtown. About 50 people attended a crisp outdoor ceremony Wednesday that highlighted the center’s 40-year anniversary and its pledge for conservation and marine stewardship. Brian McLean reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  243 AM PST Thu Mar 3 2022   
TODAY  S wind to 10 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 8 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of  rain in the morning. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt easing to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds.

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