7/19 Death camas, dairy digester, BC spotted owl habitat, Stanley Park ancient cedar, Whatcom County executive race

 Death camas [C-DLand Trust]

Death camas Toxicoscordion venenosum
Death camas is a species of flowering plants in the genus Toxicoscordion, of the Melanthiaceae family. It is native to western North America. The plant is widespread across much of Western Canada, the Western United States, and northern Baja California. They tend to grow in dry meadows and on dry hillsides as well as sagebrush slopes and montane forests. All parts of the plant are poisonous. It is dangerous for humans as well as livestock. Consumption of 2 to 6% of the body weight of the animal is likely to be fatal. Along with other alkaloids, zygacine and other toxic esters of zygadenine are the primary neurotoxic alkaloids contributing to the plant's toxicity. (CalScape)

Tribes and farmers reduce carbon and find common ground through this dairy digester
Washington state is investing $22 million in dairy digesters, part of the 2023-2025 budget for the state's Climate Commitment Act. Based on a new report, they’re currently considered one of the most effective climate investments states can make. Dairy digesters capture the methane that comes from cow manure and other organic waste as it decomposes and turns it into useful renewable energy. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

‘Are you kidding me?’: B.C. sanctions shooting, logging in endangered spotted owl habitat
Only one spotted owl remains in Canada’s wild. The B.C. government says it is committed to recovering the species, even as it approves new clearcuts and recreational shooting in a Fraser Valley wildlife area set aside for the owl. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Ancient Western red cedar tree falls in Stanley Park
A western red cedar tree that is believed to have been centuries old fell in Vancouver's Stanley Park over the weekend, reaching the end of its life at what experts describe as a particularly stressful time for ancient trees in the area. It was anywhere between 800 and 900 years old and suffered from heart rot. (CBC)

Four of six Whatcom executive candidates respond in forum
Responses in a candidates forum from four (of six) vying for Whatcom County Executive sketched out four differing perspectives on how to serve. Salish Current Editorial Staff reports. (Salish Current)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PDT Wed Jul 19 2023   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves  1 to 2 ft. W swell 2 ft at 5 seconds. Patchy fog. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 1 ft  at 10 seconds building to 4 ft at 6 seconds after midnight.  Patchy fog after midnight.

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