3/7 Fairy ring mushroom, disappearing butterflies, healthy J62, wildfire season, NW Stream Center, Green Lake cleanup, BPA rehiring, week in review, first 100 days

Fairy ring mushroom

Fairy ring mushroom Marasmius oreades
Fairy rings are common on lawns and playing fields, and are normally caused by the fairy ring champignon Marasmius oreades. The species is quite harmless, unless you require blemish-free turf. A fairy ring marks the outer limit of a single fungus that is hidden away in the soil for most of the year. Just like mould on jam, fungi radiate outwards in circles – the bigger the ring, the older the fungus. (BBC)

Today's top story in Salish Current: San Juan Island Farmers Market kicks off coupon program fundraiser

First national analysis finds America's butterflies are disappearing at 'catastrophic' rate
America’s butterflies are disappearing because of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, with the number of the winged beauties down 22% since 2000, a new study finds. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press)

Researchers optimistic about health of southern resident killer whale calf
Researchers using a drone captured images of the newest southern resident orca frolicking with its pod and appearing healthy. The encounter on Feb. 17 near the U.S. San Juan Islands east of Victoria showed calf J62 — earlier confirmed to be a female — swimming alongside other members of J Pod, playfully twirling and rubbing her body against her mother, J41, and other family members. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Federal funding chaos is hampering WA state planning for wildfire season, officials say
Local and state agencies say that federal funding freezes and layoffs have thrown a wrench into planning efforts and sown chaos at a crucial time, especially with the state seeing more severe and destructive fires. Becca Most reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Clearwater students experience watershed moment at Northwest Stream Center
The Everett facility provides environmental education focused on watershed and riparian health. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Cleanup at Seattle's Green Lake targets abandoned fishing lines that can ensnare wildlife
Abandoned fishing lines are the focus of a volunteer cleanup effort at Seattle’s Green Lake this weekend. The stray lines are blamed for killing two owls along the water’s edge in recent years. Amy Radil reports. (KUOW)

Bonneville Power Administration offers jobs back to staff fired by Trump administration
Roughly 120 employees were fired from BPA last month - raising alarms from experts in the power grid and Gov. Tina Kotek. They've now been asked to return, but the agency will still be down hundreds of positions since the start of the Trump administration. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB)

Salish Sea News Week in Review, 3/7/25: Flapjack Friday, quake, more logging, Forest Service firings, tariffs, BC inspections, EPA water discharge rules, NW power markets, newspaper woes.


The First 100 Days

• Trump changes course and delays some tariffs on Mexico and Canada (Associated Press)
  
• Elon Musk tells Republican lawmakers he's not to blame for federal firings (Associated Press)
• Trump signs executive order to establish government bitcoin reserve (Reuters)
  

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  259 AM PST Fri Mar 7 2025    
TODAY  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE late this morning and  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 13 seconds. A  slight chance of rain this morning. A chance of rain early this  afternoon, then a slight chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening, then rain  after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming S 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 13 seconds.  Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  S wind 10 to 15 kt, veering to W in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.

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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 msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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