5/18 Sweat bees, AI, 'forever chemicals,' last caribou, Similk estuary, wildfire smoke, city trees

 

Sweat bee

Sweat bees
Halictidae is the second-largest family of bees with nearly 4,500 species. They are commonly called sweat bees, as they are often attracted to perspiration. Halictid species are an extremely diverse group that can vary greatly in appearance. (Wikipedia)

Assistant ... or replacement? AI, in real life
The future is already here for users of artificial intelligence technology. Matt Benoit reports. (Salish Current)

WA launches dashboard tracking ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
With growing public awareness of the prevalence of toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water and new testing requirements rolling out this year, Washington state communities are faced with little option but to shut down wells, find alternative water sources and seek funding for costly filtration systems. On Wednesday, the Department of Health unveiled a public-facing dashboard sharing data from drinking water wells in the state that have been tested for the presence of these toxic chemicals. Isabella Breda and Manuel Villa report. (Seattle Times)

Washington passes law to cut ‘forever chemicals’ in makeup
Starting in 2025, the Toxics-Free Cosmetics Act will be among the country’s strongest legislation against hazardous products. Joseph Winters reports. (Grist)

The last 33 caribou: fighting for the survival of a Wet’suwet’en herd
Surrounded by industrial development and human habitation, less than three dozen caribou remain on Wet’suwet’en territory. As government biologists fight to keep the herd alive, recovery efforts will need to look to the past to plan for the future. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Federal grant to help support restoration of Similk estuary
Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $11.6 million for a set of projects focused on large-scale restoration of the north Whidbey basin of the Skagit River estuary. The restoration of estuary marsh and floodplain habitat will help add habitat for salmon recovery. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Wildfire smoke from Canada impacting Seattle skies
It may only be the middle of May, but wildfire season is already impacting the Seattle region with smoke from Canada. Wildfires have been burning in northern Alberta for over a week. Smoke from those wildfires has now drifted south and arrived in western Washington, creating hazy skies. The smoke is above 10,000 feet and not in the lower levels, so there are no worries about declining air quality. Ted Buehner reports. (KIRO)

Trees and Politics
David B. Williams, "an evangelist for the practice of paying attention," writes: "We have reached a point in the city’s history where two key issues—climate change and housing—intersect. We cannot work on one without considering the other. Working on the sustainability of the natural world can take place, and I would argue, is essential, to sustainability of our human communities. We can save our trees and help people. It will not be easy." (Street Smart Naturalist)  See also: City seeks balance: housing needs and forest benefits Bellingham faces the challenge of building homes to meet housing needs while preserving trees for public and environmental health. (Salish Current)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 AM PDT Thu May 18 2023   
TODAY  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell 1 ft at 8 seconds. Areas of fog in  the morning. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell 1 ft at 9 seconds.

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