5/10 Blue elderberry, GiveBIG, TMX, Point Defiance aquarium, BC drought, ash borer, Zodiac, Esutarium

Blue Elderberry

Blue Elderberry Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea
Blue Elderberry was sometimes known as S. glauca; it is more commonly known as Sambucus cerulea (or cerulean), but many botanists feel that it and the American Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, are just a subspecies of the well-known European species, the Black Elder, Sambucus nigra. Elder trees were important in Celtic folklore and mythology; they were considered sacred to fairies and were used for making wands. 

Today's top story in Salish Current: Trans Mountain is a metaphor for larger economic and political forces at play

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Groups opposed to pipeline call for B.C. to push for oil spill evacuation plan
Dozens of health officials, Indigenous and environmental groups and city councillors opposed to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion are calling on B.C. to push the federal government for a more robust oil spill response plan. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Point Defiance aquarium set to reopen after $7M renovation
Point Defiance Zoo is expected to reopen its Tropical Reef Aquarium this summer, the zoo announced this week. Formerly called the “South Pacific Aquarium,” the 25,000-square-foot area will boast colorful fish and sharks in a tropical coral-reef environment, according to a news release. The June 14 reopening comes after years of repairs and restorations to habitats, life-support systems and animal-care structures. Simone Carter reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

'Every drop counts': B.C. prepares for impacts of ongoing drought
Parts of British Columbia will likely enter "unfamiliar territory" with drought if they see another hot, dry summer, says the head of the province's River Forecast Centre. Dave Campbell says persistent drought conditions in B.C. stretch back to 2022, so the province is heading into this summer with "multi-year" precipitation deficits. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

Invasive ash-tree-destroying beetle found in B.C. for 1st time
A highly destructive invasive beetle that kills ash trees has been found in B.C., marking the first time it has been officially recorded in the province. Larvae of the emerald ash borer were recently found in Vancouver by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, indicating that the bug has been on the move into B.C. from other provinces. Tessa Vikander reports. (CBC)  See: State crews remove trees in Washington County [OR] to slow spread of emerald ash borer. Cassandra Profita reports. (OPB)

Schooner Zodiac Celebrates a Century at Sea
On a beautiful spring or summer day, it’s not uncommon to glimpse the two-masted schooner Zodiac bobbing on the waters of the Salish Sea. For decades, it has conducted private charters and public cruises, transporting locals and tourists from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal into the splendor of the San Juan Islands and beyond. Matt Benoit writes. (WhatcomTalk)

Puget Sound Estuarium
The Puget Sound Estuarium was created in 2007 by the South Sound Estuary Association. According to their website, their mission is to, “foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of Puget Sound.” Kristina Lotz writes. (ThurstonTalk)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/10/24: Mandela Friday, Elwha fishery, youth climate suit,Ksi Lisims LNG, bumblebees, Hood Canal summer chum, tides, fish pens, TMX.

Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  203 AM PDT Fri May 10 2024    
TODAY  E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 3 ft at  11 seconds.  
TONIGHT  NW wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft at 11 seconds.  
SAT  NW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at  10 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft. W swell  5 ft at 10 seconds.  
SUN  W wind to 10 kt rising to 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft building to 3 to 5 ft in the afternoon. W swell  4 ft at 9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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