9/25 America at 250, quaking aspen, sea lion shot, heritage forest logging, 900-year-ld-oak spared, salon hatchery booted, humpback freed, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Salish Current presents "America at 250," an evening of provocative conversation about  who we are and where we are going— and an art auction to support local news! Click here to view the amazing artwork up for live and silent auction, and RSVP at salishcurrent.rsvp@gmail.com to reserve your seat. "America at 250" features eminent historian and Western Washington University scholar Johann Neem and journalist Ron Judd discussing the search for a common narrative to describe what our county means to us. The event features live and silent auctions of fine art from local artists curated by artist Chris Moench and a paddle-raising led by guest auctioneer Frank Catalano. Appetizers and no-host bar are available. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Hotel Leo, Bellingham. RSVP at salishcurrent.rsvp@gmail.com 

 

Quaking Aspen [Native Plants PNW]

 
Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides
There are about 15 species of Populus (Poplars, Cottonwoods and Aspens) native to North America. In our region, Black Cottonwood is very common. It is the most widely distributed tree in North America. Distribution is spotty in the west, occurring mostly in the mountains from Washington to California and Mexico and in the Colorado Rockies. It is also found near the shores of Puget Sound and on southeastern Vancouver Island. (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom Studio Tour: 5 artists share their craft and calling

Sea lion found dead in West Seattle was shot at least a dozen times
An adult California sea lion lies dead at the mouth of Duwamish River in West Seattle, killed after it was shot at least a dozen times. Kai Uyehara reports. (Seattle Times) 

WA public lands commissioner scales back order protecting older forests
Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove is scaling back an order to set aside 77,000 acres of older forests, citing financial strain and a lack of authority to carry out his vision. Upthegrove said the older forests, sometimes called “legacy forests,” that his agency could conserve in the near term amounted instead to about 55,000 acres. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times) 

Will 900-year-old Pierce County tree be cut down for parking lot? Decision made
In a ruling this month, city hearing examiner Mark Scheibmeir said Emerson Lake Business Park could go forward with expanding a semi-truck parking lot at 7319 146th St. SW as long as the healthy 900-year-old oak on site is undisturbed. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Hupačasath Nation Boots Salmon Farm Hatchery off Its Territory
Citing wild fish health concerns, Hereditary Chief Alton Watts wants industry giant Cermaq to ‘vacate the area.’ Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Canadian, American crews rescue entangled humpback
An humpback whale was cut loose from fishing gear tangled around its dorsal fin in Juan de Fuca Strait over the weekend. It was a two-day operation involving Canadian and American rescuers that saw the whale trailing rope and several floats as it straddled the international boundary. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Democracy Watch

• 3 US news outlets return to White House after judge orders Trump to lift ban (AP) 
• 'Time to move on': Sedro-Woolley ends use of Flock Safety cameras (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/25/26: America at 250, Koala Friday!, Arctic oil, Roadless Rule, marine detective, warming Sound, Tilbury LNG ok'd, Ferndale battery facility, kill seals, sea lion shot, new sea spider, genomics testing, heritage forest logging. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  132 PM PDT Thu Sep 24 2026    
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY  NIGHT   
FRI  E wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 20 to 30 kt with gusts to 35  kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4  seconds and W 6 ft at 9 seconds. Rain, mainly in the morning.  
FRI NIGHT  W wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt, easing to  15 to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to  7 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 9 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to NE after midnight.  Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.  
SUN  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  around 2 ft or less. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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