5/19 Wasp, tribal land returned, First Nations' consultations, 'Wood Wide Web,' aviation bio-fuel, picking up, Slater Museum, shipwreck

Common wasp [iNaturalist]

Common wasp Vespula vulgaris
The common wasp usually forms large colonies below ground, but occasionally nests may be made in wall cavities, hollow trees and attics. Queens emerge from hibernation during the spring, and they search for a suitable location in which to start a new colony. She then begins to build the nest with chewed up wood pulp, which dries to make a papery substance. A few eggs are laid, which develop into non-reproductive workers. These workers eventually take over the care of the nest, and the queen's life is then devoted solely to egg laying. At the end of autumn a number of eggs develop into new queens and males, which leave the nest and mate. The new queens seek out suitable places in which to hibernate, and the males and the old colony (including the old queen) die.

Developer gives former village site to Nanaimo First Nation
Lands lost in the 1800s — including an ancient village site — were restored to Snuneymuxw First Nation Thursday when a Vancouver-based developer signed over 102 acres of its property south of Nanaimo.  Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

‘When is it going to stop?’ Claims made on First Nations’ territories even as they fight century-old mining laws
In the B.C. Supreme Court, Gitxaała Nation and Ehattesaht First Nation argue the mineral rights process sidesteps the duty to consult. Francesca Fionda reports. (The Narwhal)

Detangling the Debate on the ‘Wood Wide Web’
When should we encourage stories that make us fall in love with the forest and when should we stick to tested, proven science? This is the debate unfolding between scientists as they explore what’s happening beneath the surface of the forest. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

New $800M sustainable aviation fuel plant planned for Washington state
Dutch company SkyNRG has chosen Washington state to locate a major new biogas plant that will produce sustainable aviation fuel — a key part of the airline world’s push to decarbonize flying. SkyNRG CEO Philippe Lacamp said he expects the plant to be operational by 2028 or 2029. Dominic Gates reports. (Seattle Times)

Seattle crowned as dog poop capital, pet owners among worst in nation
Seattle’s pet parents ranked among the worst in the country, according to the website Dog Advisory Council’s newest study.  Among the 25 major metro areas they deemed to be “in the doghouse,” Seattle ranked third, behind only Pittsburgh and Newark. Heather Bosch reports. (KIRO)

University of Puget Sound to remove name of eugenics professor from museum
The University of Puget Sound will remove the name of a former professor and eugenicist from the college’s museum of natural history. On May 12, the university’s board of trustees unanimously approved President Isiaah Crawford’s recommendation to remove James R. Slater’s name from the museum’s physical space, and its website and social media accounts...The museum will revert to its original name when it was founded in 1930, Puget Sound Museum of Natural History. Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks reports. (Seattle Times)

Shipwreck
In a heavy fog, the tugboat Lorne and the barge America (formerly a sailing bark) founder on the rocks on the west side of San Juan Island and sink on August 30, 1914. No lives are lost, but the cargo cannot be retrieved. The Lorne is eventually raised and repaired, but the America cannot be saved and still lies where she sank. Lynn Weber writes. (History Link)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/19/23: Endangered species Friday, woolly dogs, TM debt, city trees, Snoqualmie Tribe, 'forever chemicals.'

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  237 AM PDT Fri May 19 2023   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH  LATE TONIGHT   
TODAY  NW 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.  SW swell 1 ft at 6 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 2 ft or less after  midnight. NW swell 1 ft at 7 seconds. 
SAT  W 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.  SW swell 2 ft at 9 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell  2 ft at 8 seconds. 
SUN  W wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 1 ft at  10 seconds.

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