Kids Draw a Future for Cascades Wildlife

The Washington State Department of Transportation and I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition this year hosted the fourth annual "Bridging Futures" contest. This fun art contest taps into the creativity of kids around the state to educate people about safe wildlife passage. The top two winners will see their artwork featured on freeway billboards along I-90 in Seattle and Ellensburg, educating drivers-by about wildlife bridges and underpasses. Look for these wonderful drawings, big and bold, starting in July!

"Inspiring young imaginations is an excellent way to engage many generations in projects that affect all of us. I loved the varied creative approaches the students took to displaying wildlife bridges," said Karen Bonaudi of the Washington Potato Commission, one of the contest panel judges.

Hope for a Wild Future

Last Wednesday, at our 5th annual Hope for a Wild Future, we were hoping for some sun! Instead, cool temperatures brought out evening wear at its Northwest best: fleece with slacks, Goretex with a skirt...our grassroots coordinator Rose Oliver even wore her down coat over a vintage prom dress. Nonetheless, more than 250 adults (over 60 new), 30 children, and 40 volunteers and staff braved the weather at the Woodland Park Zoo to raise a record $228,000 for Conservation Northwest's programs to keep the Northwest wild. (That's $30,000 more than last year's amount! Net proceeds to be announced later this summer.)

Along with our supporters, the stars of the evening were lynx, bears, wolves, and wolverines, as featured in a multi-media presentation on "Wildlife of the Columbia Highlands," which we'd like to share with you, here, on YouTube. Thank you to everyone who made this annual event a fun success!

 

You've Got a Friend

The web can be a lonely place, but you've got a friend in Conservation Northwest! Did you know that we are active on Facebook and MySpace ? As a fan, friend, or Cause supporter you will be up to date with the latest conservation news and special opportunities to make a difference. On our Facebook fan page, you can see all of our latest blog entries and events in one place, share your favorite hike, photo or idea with others, and join the growing online community for Northwest wildlife and wild places.

[Even more web tools] ~ [Become a Cause superstar!]

 

Sure Cure for the Summertime Blues

When Crystal Gartner, from our Spokane office, wanted to give her overworked friend something "out of the ordinary" for his birthday, she presented him a guided day hike with picnic lunch through Hoodoo Canyon, just one of the spectacular destinations in our Columbia Highlands summer hike series . Conservation Northwest—together with REI, Inc., Spokane Mountaineers, The Lands Council, and many wonderful volunteer hike leaders—organizes the annual hike series to inspire people to support wildlife conservation and wilderness in northeast Washington. It's a wonderful way to explore Washington's last frontier .

"I'm from California and have spent time in Alaska. This place is amazing. I had no idea such a wild and beautiful place existed just north of Spokane. These areas certainly deserve protection." —Jeff Lundell, Sherman Peak Loop Hike