Courtney Flatt, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Riding The Ski Lift…To Fire. How Quick Action Helped Mount Hood While Northwest Flames Raged

By Courtney Flatt September 19, 2020

Fire crews rode an express chairlift at Mount Hood Meadows to more easily reach a fire burning in the ski area's expert-level terrain on Sept. 7, 2020.

Close communication with the Forest Service helped save one Mount Hood ski resort on Labor Day, when fire danger was critical and fires sparked and grew fast all round the Northwest. Employees at Mount Hood Meadows saw a social media post of a plume of smoke. Read More

When Will The Smoke Clear Out Of Northwest Skies? Not As Soon As We’d Like

By Courtney Flatt September 14, 2020

Smoke-Kittitas-Valley-081718-Esmy-Jimenez

The weather didn’t pan out as forecasters had hoped. That means smoke should stick around until the end of this week. And, it’s not only the skies that are choked with the unhealthy levels of smoke.Read More

Breathing Wildfire Smoke Every Summer Could Have Long-Term Health Consequences

By Courtney Flatt September 12, 2020

The smoke of the Taylor Creek Fire still plumes behind the Joint Information Center, just outside of Grants Pass, OR. CREDIT: USFS/DARREN STEBBINS

Air quality east of the Cascade Mountains has deteriorated as wildfires burn across Washington and Oregon. In Southern Oregon, the air is hazardous. In Central Washington, air quality is unhealthy for everyone.Read More

Extreme End To The 2020 Northwest Fire Season Reminds Of The 1910 ‘Big Burn’

By Courtney Flatt September 9, 2020

Late afternoon light catches smoke from the Cold Springs Fire near a structure that appeared to be empty long before the fire, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, near Omak, Washington. CREDIT: Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review via AP

Usually, fire season starts to tamp down in September. This year has been anything but normal. In an unprecedented fire event, at least 80 fires started in Washington over Labor Day weekend.Read More

Windy, Dry Weekend Ups Wildfire Potential, As Crews Watch How Palmer Fire Lines Will Fare

By Courtney Flatt August 28, 2020

The Palmer Fire in Okanogan County, southwest of Oroville, seen from the Aeneas Mountain Lookout Tuesday evening, Aug. 18, 2020. Smoke from a fire in nearby British Columbia is also visible.

A dry cold front is expected to push into central and eastern Washington this weekend, bringing with it lots of wind from the north. That could fan the flames of fires, especially new starts that are just taking off. Winds could reach 15 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts around 40 miles per hour.Read More

‘The Deer … Just Get Whacked’: Private Funds Help Reduce Wildlife Hits On Bad Stretch Near Tonasket

By Courtney Flatt August 27, 2020

Three bucks pass under the Janis Bridge underpass near Tonasket, Washington. The underpass is part of the first mile of a project to help deer travel safely and not run into cars on U.S. Highway 97, which sees more than 350 deer collisions each year in the short stretch between Tonasket and Riverside. Courtesy of Conservation Northwest

The first part of a project that covers the most dangerous section of Highway 97 near Tonasket, Washington, is finished. It’s expected to prevent more than 100 collisions each year in just one mile in the Okanogan Valley. The 13-miles stretch from Tonasket to Riverside sees nearly 350 deer-car collisions per year.Read More

Crews Look Toward Containment For Palmer Fire, Using ‘Ping Pong Balls’ To Fight Fire With Fire

By Courtney Flatt August 24, 2020

Fire crews were in the town of Loomis, on the Palmer Fire's southwestern edge, Aug. 22-23. The conducted burnout operations to help clear fuel. CREDIT Alan Lebovitz/WA DNR

Crews have fought fire with fire to help secure the containment lines. One method you may not have heard of uses ping pong balls and helicopters. They’re officially called PSDs, or plastic spherical devices.Read More

‘It’s Just So Fantastic’: Wolverine Family Seen At Mount Rainier, No Signs Yet Of Cyclops Or Beast

By Courtney Flatt August 22, 2020

A mother wolverine and her kits were successfully captured on webcams in Mount Rainier National Park this spring and summer. Hikers in the park confirmed a sighted of their own in August 2020. CREDIT: National Park Service via Flickr

Conservationists are “cautiously optimistic” after discovering a mother wolverine and her kits at Mount Rainier National Park. It’s the first time a family of wolverines has called the park home in more than 100 years. Read More

Crews Attack Fast-Moving Palmer Fire In Okanogan County, Eyeing Northward Growth Toward Border

By Courtney Flatt August 20, 2020

The Palmer Fire, burning in timber, brush and grasslands southwest of Oroville, began Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. It prompted numerous evacuations for residents in the area that has multiple lakes and recreation destinations. CREDIT: InciWeb

Firefighters are working to contain a large fire in north-central Washington. So far, the Palmer Fire has burned at least 6,000 acres and forced evacuations as winds pushed flames forward. It’s expected to grow, pushing north toward the Canadian border, in the coming days.Read More

‘Hanging Out To Dry’ In Rural Washington As Residents Push For Their Own Fire Protection Group

By Courtney Flatt August 18, 2020

Molly and David Linville purchased a brush truck to fight fires on their ranch and their neighbors’ land in Douglas County, Washington. They live in the Moses Coulee area, where no agency is assigned to respond to fires that spark there. Courtesy of Molly Linville

For some people, there are advantages to living in an unprotected area. For one, they don’t have to pay taxes into a fire district or timber taxes to the state. Residents in Moses Coulee area of Douglas County want to act as an initial attack team for their small area, helping douse the flames until official fire crews arrive.Read More

Governor Visits Brewster As Farmworker COVID Cases Spike In Okanogan County

By Courtney Flatt August 13, 2020

File photo. Brewster, in Okanogan County, shown here in 2013, is one of the primary areas of north-central Washington's tree-fruit industry -- for growing, packing and shipping. CREDIT: Jessica Robinson/N3

Many of the county’s cases have spread in the small town of Brewster, where there is a large tree-fruit growing, packing and shipping industry. According to public health officials, there have been 885 positive cases in Okanogan County –– 518 in Brewster.Read More

Washington Firefighter Quarantining With COVID; It’s A Test Of Safety Plan Ahead Of Wildfire Weather

By Courtney Flatt August 10, 2020

Thinning, mowing and prescribed fire are used in Ponderosa pine forests to maintain an open forest floor. CREDIT: Jes Burns/OPB/EarthFix

The firefighter contracted COVID-19 outside of the fire camp. He tested positive after he left the fire. The firefighter came into contact with 14 others, who have now been quarantined and aren’t showing symptoms right now, according to the DNR. This year, fire camps have been kept smaller and more spaced out – to help prevent widespread outbreaks. Read More

75 Years After Bombings, Tri-Cities Musician’s Jazz Album Explores Complicated Hanford History

By Courtney Flatt August 5, 2020

Denin Koch's "re: manhattan project" album officially launched Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, 75 years after the U.S. dropped a bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

Denin Koch's trip to the Hanford B Reactor when he was 19 stirred his musical passion. It eventually inspired a full jazz album exploring the complicated history of Hanford, 75 years after the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan ended WWII.Read More

‘We Kind Of Dodged A Bullet’ So Far This Fire Season. But August Forecast Shows High Danger

By Courtney Flatt August 4, 2020

Information on public fire danger signs comes from the Nation Fire Danger Rating System, which is being updated for the first time in more than four decades. CREDIT: JACOB FRANK/NPS

July started off cool, which lowered wildfire risks in Washington and Oregon. But a new outlook shows excessive heat and a lack of precipitation have helped to dry out fuels in southern and central Oregon and central Washington. In those areas that have been dealing with drought, the land is ready to burn.Read More

Federal Study Recommends Keeping Snake River Dams In Place, With Congress Having Final Say

By Courtney Flatt August 1, 2020

The Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River. CREDIT: BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION

Debates have dragged on for decades about whether to remove or alter the four dams. The Army Corps, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration received almost 59,000 comments on the draft EIS this spring. The agencies are expected to finalize this plan by Sept. 30.Read More

With Fire Season In Full Swing, Corrections Crews Adapt To Pandemic Safety Measures

By Courtney Flatt July 29, 2020

A member of a Washington Department of Corrections fire crew assisting on a previous controlled burn. Courtesy of Washington DOC

As wildfire season heats up, Washington fire managers are working out new ways for incarcerated people to help on the fire lines and stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Correctional crews have helped put out fires and work in fire camp kitchens for decades. And things are a little different this year.Read More

Northwest Clean-Energy Advocates Eye Pumped Hydro To Fill Gaps, With Tribes Noting Concerns

By Courtney Flatt July 24, 2020

The Goldendale Energy Storage Project would be built just outside Goldendale in Klickitat County. If built, it would be the largest pumped storage facility in the Northwest. The lower reservoir is proposed in the flat area below this image, by John Day Dam on the Columbia River. Courtesy of Rye Development

Many states – including Oregon and Washington – have set renewable energy goals. But, there’s a problem. The wind isn’t always blowing, and the sun isn’t always shining. That’s why wind and solar power are variable, or intermittent. Enter pumped hydro. It's not a new technology, but it is gaining more interest regionally.Read More

Welcome To Klickitat Canyon, South-Central Washington’s New Conservation Area

By Courtney Flatt July 21, 2020

The Klickitat River is Washington’s longest wild river and runs through the conservation area. CREDIT: Brian Chambers / Courtesy of Columbia Land Trust

The newly completed conservation area in south-central Washington is expected to protect habitat and lead to a more resilient forest. Conservation groups say this is a big step toward connecting important ecosystems in the area.Read More

Breweries, Wineries In Tri-Cities And Yakima May Need To Close Under Clarified Reopening Guidance

By Courtney Flatt July 17, 2020

Old Schoolhouse Brewery owner Jacob Young serves food to his customers. He says when there's little smoke and fires are far away, he sees more patrons.CREDIT: COURTNEY FLATT

Wineries and breweries in Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties must keep their doors closed for now, unless they serve food out of their own kitchens. That’s the updated guidance for the three counties, which are seeing some of the highest numbers of coronavirus cases in Washington. Read More

Forest Service Considers Rule Change That Prevented Logging Of Some Northwest Old-Growth Trees

By Courtney Flatt July 13, 2020

OSU scientists detect a tagged hermit warbler in the canopy of an old growth grove in the Oregon Cascades. Learning how the small song birds travel over the course of a day could provide insight into why bird populations are doing well in old growth forests while declining in other warming landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. CREDIT: GREG DAVIS

The land management plans, known as the “Eastside Screens,” came about in 1995 to protect old growth trees east of the Cascades. The rules were meant to be temporary. The Forest Service wants to amend a section of the policy called the “21-inch rule,” which prohibits harvesting trees that are greater than 21-inches in diameter.Read More

Saddle Mountain Fire Is Test For COVID Plans, And In A Sensitive Wildlife Area

By Courtney Flatt July 8, 2020

The Saddle Mountain Fire began the afternoon of July 6, 2020, burning in a sensitive area of central Washington at a wildlife refuge, part of the Hanford Reach National Monument. Courtesy of SE WA Interagency Incident Management Team

Firefighters are wrapping up after three days at this season’s first big wildfire in eastern Washington. As crews began heading home, the Saddle Mountain Fire had burned about 10,000 as of Wednesday, July 8, in steep terrain on part of the Saddle Mountain Wildlife Refuge.Read More

Interior Secretary: Grizzlies Will Not Be Brought Back To Washington’s North Cascades

By Courtney Flatt July 7, 2020

A grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. (Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Conservation groups have said they are “weighing options” about what to do next. Ranching and cattle groups applauded the decision, saying more predators present challenges for their members.Read More

Governor Says Tri-Cities Has Seen ‘Astronomical’ Rise In COVID; Protesters Say ‘Inslee Is Non-Essential’

By Courtney Flatt June 30, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a news conference at Columbia Basin College in Pasco June 30, 2020. Hecklers yelling at him, some with signs and flags for Trump 2020 and Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp, caused the event to be moved inside. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Over the past two weeks, Inslee said infection rates have increased six-fold in Franklin County and nearly five-fold in Benton County. The main thing that could help, he said: masks. “Yes, there’s controversy, as there is in any great, noble endeavor, but the vast majority of people in (the Tri-Cities region) want to beat this pandemic,” Inslee said.Read More

Washington Has Seen A Significant Rise In Wildfire Starts So Far This Year

By Courtney Flatt June 25, 2020

A helicopter uses a bucket to drop water on the Milepost 22 wildfire, Thursday, June 21, 2018, near Vantage, Wash. CREDIT: AP PHOTO/TED S. WARREN

Washington fire managers say they’ve seen a significant number of wildfires in “every corner of the state.” So far this year, the state Department of Natural Resources says it has responded to more than 468 wildfires of varying sizes – nearly double the 10-year average for an entire fire season. But this year’s unprecedented uptick in the number of fires has an unforeseen Read More

In Toppenish, A Trail Cam Zooms In On Unique Learning Opportunity For Yakama Nation Students

By Courtney Flatt June 23, 2020

An otter seen on a trail camera as part of an environmental science course at the Yakama Nation Tribal School. With the coronavirus pandemic, students still monitored the area of study near Highway 97 in Toppenish remotely.

Historically, the Yakama Nation Tribal School was a school “of last resort,” says principal Adam Strom, where students came after they could no longer attend other area schools. That’s changing. He says courses like this one in environmental science and natural resources are a big reason why.Read More

U.S. Senate Passes Big Funding Boost To Conservation Fund, Help For National Parks Maintenance

By Courtney Flatt June 17, 2020

Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell helped push through the Great American Outdoors Act, speaking on the Senate floor with a picture of Mount Rainier on June 17, 2020. Screenshot / Courtesy of U.S. Senate

The Great American Outdoors Act would permanently allocate $900 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which finally lapsed almost two years ago.Read More

‘The Perfect Time For Change’: Tri-Cities Protests Recall Past Police Shooting, Racist History

By Courtney Flatt June 12, 2020

Rapper Karma (left), who started making music in Richland and now lives in Seattle, said people weren’t doing enough before now. He said the protesters were “warming his heart to see how much love is in this city.” CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

This moment of protest for racial justice is perhaps more poignant in Pasco, where five years ago the city reeled from its most high profile police shooting. The killing of Antonio Zambrano-Montes and the fallout after have marked this city, in murals and memorials, in police interactions and protests.Read More

Outdoor Guides Look To Top Out On COVID Shutdowns And Get Clients Back To Northwest Summits

By Courtney Flatt June 7, 2020

Kaf Adventures leads guided climbs of Washington and Oregon peaks, like this one in the Washington Cascades. But the business was largely put on hold as coronavirus shutdowns required. Courtesy of Kaf Adventures via Facebook

It’s been a rough couple of months for outdoor recreation businesses – from mountaineering and rock climbing guides to river rafting, sea kayaking, mountain biking guides and private campgrounds. Outdoor recreation brings in big bucks to the Northwest — especially to many of the rural communities that act as gateways to the great outdoors.Read More

Research From Northwest Scientists Shows Negative Climate Change Effects On Old Growth Forests

By Courtney Flatt June 1, 2020

Deforestation, climate change and the disturbances it can exacerbate – like wildfires, extreme droughts and insect outbreaks – are decimating old growth forests across the globe. That means forests worldwide are filling in with younger and shorter trees, according to a new study.Read More

Tourism-Dependent Methow Valley Wishes Tourists Would Stay Closer To Home For Now

By Courtney Flatt May 26, 2020

Photos circulating on social media showed cars lining streets of downtown Winthrop and along roads on the Interstate 90 corridor. The concern is that people can bring the coronavirus into these small towns that have fewer medical resources already available.Read More

Public Lands Managers Ask: Have Plan A, B Or C Ready To ‘Recreate Responsibly’ This Weekend

By Courtney Flatt May 21, 2020

The new entrance sign telegraphs the state-tribal partnership to manage the new state park. CREDIT: WA STATE PARKS

On those trails, state officials are asking that you take precautions: stay six feet away from people, wear masks if you can’t meet that guideline, bring hand sanitizer, water and soap. You should also pack out what you pack in.Read More

Washington School Districts Set To Deploy New Electric Buses, Including In Pullman And Republic

By Courtney Flatt May 20, 2020

The first electric bus for a Washington school district went to the Franklin Pierce School District in Tacoma. Courtesy of Washington Governor's Office

Earlier this year, there was only one electric school bus in the entire state of Washington. By this fall, the electric school bus fleet should be vastly expanding. Forty new buses may transport students in districts throughout the state possibly starting in the fall — assuming in-person classes are back on.Read More

Whitman County Approved For Phase 2 Reopening As More COVID-19 Cases Identified

By Courtney Flatt May 15, 2020

File photo. Pullman is trying to create easier ways to incubate new small businesses in downtown and better transparency inside city limits for future businesses. CREDIT: Murrow News 8

Whitman County will now enter Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start reopening plan. The application was approved Friday, just a day after Whitman County announced its first positive COVID-19 test since April 22. Read More

Washington State Steps In To Regulate Water Temps Behind Federal Dams To Help Salmon

By Courtney Flatt May 9, 2020

Water temperatures are expected to increase as the climate warms. Rivers saw a glimpse of what the future could hold five summers ago, when low water flows and hot temperatures killed thousands of salmon.Read More

‘Enjoy. Enjoy!’ Washington State Parks Reopen, And Humans Rejoin The Geese And Deer

By Courtney Flatt May 5, 2020

Washington State Parks area manager Audra Sims removes the “Emergency Closure” sign from the gate at Sacajawea Historical State Park, outside Pasco. The park re-opened to the public on May 5, after a nearly six-week closure. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

For the last six weeks, if you followed a winding road past the Port of Pasco and the start of a recreational trail, you’d come to a closed gate. A large orange “Emergency Closure” sign tacked to its front. Today, the sign came down, and the gate opened.Read More

One Person’s Trash Is Another’s Mess. So Please Stop Dumping It During Pandemic, Officials Ask

By Courtney Flatt May 1, 2020

Cyclists found a pile of trash near the roadside south of Kennewick. Cyclist Mike Robinson says he’s seen more trash dumped by the edge of the road since the pandemic started. Courtesy of Mike Robinson

Highway rest area dumpsters have been filled to the brim. Recently, Washington Transportation Dept. employees hauled two truckloads of appliances, scrap metal and other junk from the side of State Highway 225, outside Benton City.Read More

Big Study Finds Small Territory Usage For Washington’s Medium-Sized Wild Lynx

By Courtney Flatt April 27, 2020

A Canada lynx in Washington spotted by one of 650 wildlife cameras in a Washington State University study. CREDIT: WSU Mammal Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab

In a study recently published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, WSU scientists found that lynx only occupy about 20% of potential habitat in Washington.Read More

Reporter’s Notebook: A Drive-In Movie Gives A Much-Needed Reminder That Life Indeed Goes On

By Courtney Flatt April 25, 2020

Sunset at the Milton-Freewater Drive-IN brought the start of "Call of the Wild" as people stayed plenty socially distant in their surrounding cars. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

We felt a stroke of luck two weeks ago, when our local theater chain in Tri-Cities handed out bags of popcorn over the weekend. But that night, as we chowed down and watched one of the many movies we’ve streamed recently, we realized we really missed seeing movies with our friends. Little did we know, the Milton-Freewater Drive-IN would fulfill our wish. And that of about Read More

Water, Water (Most) Everywhere, As Northwest Snowpack Is Good. But Some Areas Are Low

By Courtney Flatt April 10, 2020

A snow-machine rider takes a snowpack reading as part of Community Snow Observations, a NASA-sponsored citizen science project. CREDIT: Oregon State University/Flickr

For much of the Northwest, snowpack is above normal. That’s a good sign this time of year, when snowpack usually reaches its peak. Having enough snowpack is critical for spring and summer runoff that will supply water for irrigation and salmon runs. But that doesn’t mean everywhere has that much snow.Read More

Northwest Fire Season Forecast: A Significant One, As Study Says People Should Prepare Long-Term

By Courtney Flatt April 8, 2020

As the climate warms, fire seasons will get worse – that’s especially true for low-elevation ponderosa pine forests east of the Cascades. According to a University of Washington study published in the journal Fire Ecology, wildfires there will be larger and more frequent. Read More

Washington Public Lands Are Still Closed. So Please Stop Going Around Closure Signs, Officials Ask

By Courtney Flatt April 4, 2020

State-managed parks, forest, natural areas and other access points like boat launches are closed until at least May 5 to comply with Gov. Jay Inslee's continued "stay home, stay healthy" order. CREDIT: Washington DNR

Some rules aren’t meant to be broken. Rules like Washington’s public lands closures. Enforcement officers have still noted crowded parking lots places such as at the Ahtanam State Forest in Yakima County.Read More

‘Fatal Attraction’: Seen On Movie Screens … And In Northwest Carnivores, Study Shows

By Courtney Flatt March 30, 2020

Wolves on a trail camera near Republic, Wash., in Ferry County. Courtesy of University of Washington

Even though large predators sometimes leave food that smaller predators scavenge, turns out, it’s actually dangerous for smaller animals to eat the leftovers. Read More

Washington High Schoolers Won’t Get Litter Crew Jobs This Summer — But Adults Can Apply

By Courtney Flatt March 27, 2020

Washington high school students won't get the chance to get job skills in outdoor litter crews this summer. But the Dept. of Ecology will hire adults for the crews. CREDIT: Washington DOE

The state Dept. of Ecology will bring the student crews back next summer. But the agency will will hire more adult crews, ages 18 and up, to pick up litter. There won’t be as many openings as with youth workers because the adults will work longer than three weeks. Read More

Northwest Wildfire Season Is Coming Up — With Fewer Firefighters Trained Due To Coronavirus

By Courtney Flatt March 27, 2020

File photo of a firefighter using a driptorch to apply fire during a prescribed burn. CREDIT: SWANSON SCOTT

Each year, state, federal and local officials train around 1,000 firefighters. Trainings start in April and last through May. Now, that's all on hold.Read More

Washington And Oregon Close State Parks Over…Well, You Know By Now

By Courtney Flatt March 24, 2020

You’ll have to put off your favorite hike on Washington public lands for at least two weeks. State-managed parks and wildlife areas are closing starting Wednesday, March 25.Read More

Washington Appeals Court Rules Against Carlton Complex Fire Survivors In Suit Against State

By Courtney Flatt March 19, 2020

About 20 homes burned in this Pateros neighborhood, which included the mayor at the time, Libby Harrison, and her mom’s home behind her. The community church behind it survived, but the pastor’s home next door burned. CREDIT: Scott A. Leadingham

The Washington Court of Appeals on Tuesday dismissed a case against the state brought by more than 300 survivors of the 2014 Carlton Complex wildfire in north-central Washington.Read More

Meetings On Future Of Snake River Dams Now Teleconferences: Here’s How To Access

By Courtney Flatt March 17, 2020

Fish advocates say sending water through spill bays is the best way to ensure fish survival through dams in the Columbia and Snake rivers. CREDIT: CASSANDRA PROFITA

If you want to attend public hearings on the federal government’s plan to manage the Columbia and Snake River dams, you’ll have to do it by phone. The previously scheduled in-person meetings are now teleconferences.Read More

Washington Lawmakers Stop Short Of Banning Pesticide Linked To Neurological Problems

By Courtney Flatt March 14, 2020

File photo. A sign at the property of Eric and Mari Perez in Qunicy, Washington, where houses are surrounded by apple orchards. Some people don't want the pesticide chlorpyrifos drifting from orchards to their property. CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

Washington regulators must soon consider rules to limit the use of a controversial pesticide that can cause neurological and health problems, especially in young children. A bill passed by state lawmakers this session didn’t outright ban the pesticide, as health and farmworker activists had proposed. Read More

The Mountain Wildflowers Are Out (Earlier): How Climate Change May Affect Tourist Season At Rainier

By Courtney Flatt March 11, 2020

A subalpine meadow on Mount Rainier in the summer. CREDIT: Elli Theobald/courtesy of the research team

The wildflower season at Mount Rainier National Park was short in 2015. Some of the lupines stopped flowering and didn’t make seeds like they normally do. The shorter season also meant fewer people saw peak blooms. A new study looks at how winter changes may affect tourist season at Washington's iconic park.Read More

Climate Stewardship Connects Eastern Washington Faith And Farming To Legislative Action In Olympia

By Courtney Flatt March 5, 2020

Church members at Richland’s Shalom United Church of Christ sing environmental hymns during a service on Feb. 9, 2020, that addressed environmental issues, such as climate change. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Climate change isn’t a new topic for progressive churches like Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. But it is perhaps tinged with new urgency. Survey results from the Pew Research Center show that congregations are delving into environmental awareness recently. And so are farmers.Read More

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