By Kirk Kirkland Reporting on the climate crisis is a good way to lose hope for the future. Each new story in the New York Times this summer felt like being caught in an avalanche of worsening news: extraordinary wildfires, severe flooding, and heatwaves that have displaced thousands. There is no doubt that these climate […]
The transition to fall is underway at Morse Wildlife Preserve. Nesting birds like Tree Swallows have begun their migration, while other signs of fall migration are appearing. Flocks of Evening Grosbeaks have recently been spotted moving through the preserve. After a hot, dry August, the land received some much-needed rain. Mushrooms are appearing, and Bigleaf […]
by Kirk Kirkland Across the United States, a quiet infrastructure crisis is unfolding in real-time. Driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, technology corporations are rushing to build hyperscale data centers at a pace that far outstrips the ability of state and local lawmakers to regulate them. These large facilities operate around the […]
More than 100 local communities around the country have enacted moratoriums on data centers. Washington state and 12 other states are pushing forward with their own statewide moratorium proposals. Washington state lawmakers moved forward this legislative session with Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 (E2SHB 2515). It was approved by the house and sent to […]
by Kirk Kirkland We have had huge success in our fundraising effort to stop the CalPortland gravel mine’s expansion from impacting our aquifer. We were quoted $15,000 for an attorney to represent us at the first hearings. Roughly fifty people have stepped forward, many giving small gifts. Now we have contributions of $11,300 — enough […]
by Kirk Kirkland In August voters supported critical county council members elections that have continued the Sea Change that swept a new County Executive and two county council members that has changed the face of Pierce County’s government actions. The priority county government programs have focused on providing compassionate services at an amount not experienced […]
Congresswoman Emily Randall is drafting federal legislation to transfer the ownership of our National Wildlife Refuges on Protection Island and Dungeness Spit to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. This transfer could open the door for industrial aquaculture, allowing commercial oyster bags to cover our local beaches. This land transfer would remove the public’s role of oversight. […]
By Kirk Kirkland The ongoing dialogue in May and June about the proposed Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Land Transfer focused on what the city and County Commissioners could do on the local level. Their concern was to reduce the impact of the decline in taxes and other fees when governance of the Tribe takes over governance […]
Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge by Al Bergstein Published by Olympic Peninsula Environmental News on June 23, 2026 In a surprising statement Monday in a meeting of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Jamestown S’Klallam Chairman and CEO Ron Allen stated that a number of tribes in the Salish Sea and coastal waters seek […]
July is one of the liveliest months at the preserve, as native plants flourish and young wildlife begins to explore the landscape. Prairie plants, including Showy Daisy, Common Yarrow, and Harvest Brodiaea, can be spotted throughout the preserve. Native berries such as huckleberry and trailing blackberry are beginning to appear, while brilliant pink rose spirea […]
Signs of Summer June brings a new wave of activity and growth to the Preserve as spring transitions into early summer. Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows and a Western Bluebird pair are tending to nests and the first few nestlings have already arrived. Migratory birds like Swainson’s Thrush, Western Wood-Pewees, and Cedar Waxwings can be seen […]
by Kirk Kirkland The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Protection Island are for the birds. They pause here annually to feed in preparation for their migration across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On August 16, 2023, Protect the Peninsula’s Future, the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat, and Beyond Pesticides sued the U.S. Fish […]
By Kirk Kirkland Millions of birds are flying across Washington State during the spring migration season. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology tracks these overnight movements using advanced weather radar data. Many of these migrating birds travel along the Pacific Flyway passing over Pierce County. They pause to rest and feed in local green spaces before […]
By Kirk Kirkland A well-funded public relations campaign is sweeping the North Olympic Peninsula. It frames the proposed federal land transfer of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge complex to tribal sovereign trust as a conservation-friendly certainty. The narrative claims seamless management. The underlying infrastructure data, however, reveals an entirely different reality. The proposed transfer ignores […]
Spanaway Concerned Citizens to Have Their Day in Tacoma Appeals Court Spanaway Concerned Citizens received notice of their hearing at Division II of the Washington State Court of Appeals. The court scheduled oral arguments for Thursday, April 30 at 10:30 AM. Spanaway Concerned Citizens appealed the Conditional Use Permit granted by Pierce County’s Hearing Examiner. […]
The signs of spring are growing across the Morse Wildlife Preserve. In the prairie, the swallows have returned and have quickly begun to choose nest boxes and forage above the fields. Camas leaves and other plants are sprouting. Spring has arrived at the Morse Wildlife Preserve, and we’re excited to welcome you back. Join us […]
by Kirk Kirkland This is the hour when we must recommit to radical hope. Notice how Trump makes headlines and creates chaos. He starts a war, that neither the Secretary of State or the President know how to end. While the administration issues threats, the data shows a lack of actionable recovery plans. The Administration’s […]
by Kirk Kirkland The state legislature session ended with bills sitting on the governor’s desk. High-stakes legislation moved forward despite the lack of funding and the loss of 10% of the state employees due to budget shortfalls Lawmakers navigated difficult decisions in response to limited time and significant fiscal pressure; consequently, even strong policy proposals […]
by Kirk Kirkland Four Environmental Coalition members appeared before the County Council on March 3 spoke in favor of the “Justice Fund”. It was a new sales tax that would stabilize the 2026-2027 budget. It could also pay for renovation of the jail and the juvenile facility. Seventy people signed up to speak with an […]
People’s Park renewal is one of many project proposals that will be funded when Tacoma Parks District voters renew bond funding for critical park enhancements and replacements. The package will be on a special election ballot is due on April 28th. _____________________________________________________________ by Brett Johnson The $155 million bond package includes more than 100 projects […]
