5/22 Wax myrtle, Burrard Inlet, orca calf family, salmon parks, WA mountain goats, B'ham trees, oiled birds, WA diesel ferries, Nooksack closure, triploid oysters

California Wax Myrtle [Monrovia]

 

 California wax myrtle Morella californica
California wax myrtle is a moderately fast growing and long-lived shrub or tree.It grows in an upright form, with active growth during the spring and summer. The shiny dark-green leaves remain on the plant throughout the year, making it an attractive garden planting. The flowers are yellow and bloom in the early summer.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Meeting the housing need: four suggestions for comprehensive planning

A portrait of pollution around Canada’s busiest port
Tsleil-Waututh Nation is intent on rewriting provincial policy to protect Burrard Inlet from industrial waste. But a leaked video of a coal spill illustrates the challenges with enforcement. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

B.C. orca calf's extended family spotted near Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. Marine scientist Jared Towers says in a social media post he was surprised to see members of the calf's great-grandmother's pod swimming in ocean waters near Alert Bay. (Canadian Press)

To heal a forest: The fight for salmon parks
If you like to watch: First Nations managed forests on Vancouver and Nootka islands for thousands of years. As logging encroached on the last untouched salmon stream in their traditional territory, leaders of the Nuchatlaht Tribe launched a movement to heal and protect this land. (Produced by Lauren Frohne / The Seattle Times)

WA mountain goats struggle to survive
All of the surveyed mountain goat herds in Washington state are declining, with the exception of Mount St. Helens, which has grown, according to data provided by the state. Researchers believe climate change is a factor, as the ungulates rely on shrinking alpine habitats. These counts do not include all goats or herds in the state. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

City Council approves emergency landmark tree protections
Bellingham's city council adopted an emergency landmark tree ordinance where any healthy tree with a trunk diameter of 36 inches or greater will be automatically considered a “landmark tree” and receive special protections. (City of Bellingham)

Officials search for source of oil that’s coated, killed Northwest coastal birds
At least 10 birds covered with oil have been found along the Northwest coast between Long Beach, Washington, and Lincoln City, Oregon, since Sunday. Three of them died, and some of the surviving birds are in poor condition. Officials have also received several reports of tar balls along the coast not far from the mouth of the Columbia River. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB)

WSF says building new diesel ferries would create two-year delay
State officials say it would significantly slow plans to grow the fleet if they were to switch now from hybrid boats to the less eco-friendly option. John Stang reports. (CascadePBS)

Fishing closes on Nooksack River across Whatcom County
Effective Saturday, all fishing for all species of fish closes on all forks of the Nooksack River until the end of July or through summer, depending on the river fork. Fish and Wildlife said the closure was required to protect spring Chinook salmon and wild steelhead runs. Those fish in particular need deep, cold water through summer and the return of the rainy season in October. Robert Mittendorf reports. (Bellingham Herald)

So Long Triploids, Hello Creamy Oysters
Triploid oysters—selectively bred for summer eating—suffer in high temperatures. Is their plight enough to get us to change our oyster eating habits? Devon Fredericksen reports. (Hakai Magazine)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  241 AM PDT Wed May 22 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT WEDNESDAY    
TODAY  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, veering to W early this afternoon,  rising to 15 to 20 kt late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 7 seconds and W 4 ft at 16 seconds. Patchy fog this morning.  Rain, mainly this morning.  
TONIGHT  W wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 7 to  10 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 9 seconds. A chance  of rain after midnight.

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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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