Big, Old Trees Protected in the Okanogan

 

In an important victory for wildlife in the Okanogan, the Forest Service announced last Friday that they will not log old-growth habitat at the site of the Tripod fire. Conservation Northwest members repeatedly wrote the Forest Service about this post-fire sale, urging the agency to protect the largest burned trees for lynx and other wildlife. Conservation Northwest staff also worked closely with a collaborative group in the months immediately following the fire to identify common-ground principles for developing a post-fire project in the burn area. That work paid off.

The decision shows an agency responsive to the public's concerns and one that understands that we cannot afford to lose anymore of the few remaining large trees in eastside forests. Dead trees–snags–are critical for wildlife denning and nesting. Conservation Northwest looks forward to working with the Forest Service to apply the lessons learned at Tripod to other large fires on our public forests.

 

Return of Fisher to Washington's Forests

 

In response to widespread support and to your letters, the National Park Service has decided to translocate animals from healthy populations in British Columbia to reestablish self-sustaining populations of fisher in Olympic National Park. A 2004 feasibility study found abundant prey and denning habitat in the park, and biologists expect them to thrive there.

Conservation Northwest teamed with the Department of Fish and Wildlife three years ago to bring fisher back. The recent decision is an exciting opportunity to restore the full suite of wildlife once roaming the wilderness. The plan could provide a template for restoring this small, reclusive member of the weasel family to the Cascade Mountains and the Kettle River Range.

 

Saving Our Oak-Woodland Prairie

 

Proposition 1, the largest transportation package proposed in state history, was soundly rejected this election, with voters in the greater Puget Sound sending a clear message to the region's transportation planners: More transit, less roads. According to Sierra Club exit polls, 52% of "no" voters would have voted for a transit-only package. With the proposition's failure, the Cross-Base Highway, a particularly controversial aspect of the roads package, is far short of funding. Had the proposition passed, the project would have received $90 million and construction would have begun paving a freeway across one of the best remaining of our region's oak-woodland prairies. For now, the future of Washington's prairie is a little brighter.

Unfortunately for broader conservation in Washington, Initiative 960 passed. The measure makes it more difficult for the legislature to raise revenue to meet basic state needs, including key conservation projects such as protecting the North Cascades grizzly bear and constructing wildlife bridges across I-90. Time will tell how passage of this initiative shakes out for conservation in our state.

 

Follow Your Dreams: Internship Opportunities

 

Conservation Northwest offers a robust internship and fellowship program to smart, committed individuals. These positions give aspiring conservationists real-life experience in nonprofit advocacy work, in fields ranging from science (national forest and endangered species research and advocacy) to grassroots organizing (public outreach and event coordination) to education (environmental journalism and school outreach).

A few testimonials from past interns:
"The experience I gained during my short tenure has allowed me to follow my dreams."-J.R. Barker

"The life experience I gained working to protect old growth prepared me for a career with national environmental nonprofits in Washington, DC." –Kate Freund

"I would like to thank you for the incredible opportunity I had working under your wings; in such a short amount of time I learned so much.”"-Alyson Maggiora

 

A Gift for Wildlife, Wildlands, and your Favorite People!

 

This year, your holiday gift-giving can also support our vital conservation work. We have plenty of fun items that are sure to please: t-shirts, hats, SIGG water bottles, work gloves, and a beautiful new book about the Columbia Highlands . Or, if you want to be "stuff-free," share your love of the Northwest's special wildlife and wild places by giving gift memberships to your loved ones. Please visit our new, online storefront for secure, easy, and meaningful holiday giving.