2/24 Crocus, BC spotted owls, WA hydropower, tree talk, Fraser spill, what's true?, week in review

Crocus

Crocus
Crocus is a genus of seasonal flowering plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family) comprising about 100 species of perennials growing from corms. Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there's still snow on the ground. Crocus flowers come in Easter-egg colors of purple, yellow, lavender, cream and white.

Environmental groups push for protection of B.C.'s at-risk spotted owls
Only 3 of the tiny owls known to be in the wild in B.C., with a 4th recovering at a rehabilitation centre. (Canadian Press)

Hydropower in western U.S. resurges after hitting 20-year low
A long-lasting drought has been reducing the flow of water over dams, and the energy they produce, in much of the West. With 145 large federal dams, Washington state is the nation’s leading producer of hydropower. More snow and rain in 2022 fueled a 17% surge in power production in Washington, including a 19% increase at Grand Coulee Dam, the nation’s largest producer of hydropower. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Forest ecologist Suzanne Simard's research says trees talk to each other. Now she's having to defend her work
A renowned forest ecologist from B.C. is defending her research on how trees communicate after a citation review claims there is insufficient evidence to support her work. Suzanne Simard, a forest ecology professor from the University of British Columbia, gained international recognition for her research into forest communication networks. Her findings say trees in a forest are interconnected and communicate with each other through underground fungal networks — colloquially dubbed as the "wood wide web."  Ali Pitargue reports. (CBC) 

Coast Guard Responds To Oil Spill From Partially Submerged Fishing Vessel In Fraser River
The Canadian Coast Guard has reportedly activated a pollution response following a partially submerged 65-foot fishing boat leaking fuel and oil discovered on Sunday, off Deas Island’s north end, in the waters of Fraser River close to Richmond. (Marine Insight)

Truth, Trust and the News: "Calling Bullshit"
How do YOU decide what's true? An evening with authors Carl Bergstrom and Kevin West. April 13, Heiner Auditorium, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham. FREE, registration required.  Sponsored by Salish Current, Western Washington University’s Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education and Whatcom Community College, in partnership with Village Books.

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/24/23: Twin Peaks Friday, Pollution cap, Denman Is terminal, PSE renewables, starving orcas, BC fish farms, salmon lipids, forever chemicals, biosolids, Melanie Mark, WA hydro.

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Catch the Current here.

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  238 AM PST Fri Feb 24 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON   
TODAY  E wind 20 to 30 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft subsiding to 1 to 3 ft in the  afternoon. NW swell 5 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. NW swell  4 ft at 14 seconds. 
SAT  SE wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 3 ft at 14 seconds. A slight chance of rain in the morning  then a chance of rain in the afternoon. 
SAT NIGHT  SE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming W 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 14 seconds. 
SUN  W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 12 ft at 11 seconds.

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