Solstice gifts for all creatures, great and small
It seems that the Solstice and upcoming holidays are going to be good to wildlife big and small, and right about now we feel a bit like Santa’s elves!
'Tis the season, apparently, for wildlife good news! From more fisher releases to a protective rule returned to the books, to a chance to help wolves, it's all happening now!
It seems that the Solstice and upcoming holidays are going to be good to wildlife big and small, and right about now we feel a bit like Santa’s elves!
In a great gift for all forest dwellers, even the littlest creatures of the wilds, a federal judge has ruled in our favor and for the "Survey and Manage" rule that requires federal forest managers look for hundreds of rare old-growth associated species before cutting down big trees. "Look before you log" seems like good common sense to us, and we are thrilled to see it returned to its rightful place as a rule governing our shared lands.
Our conservation director Dave Werntz, a longtime player in the work to return the rule’s vital protections, said, “The ruling effectively strikes down the last surviving piece of the Bush administration's strategy to boost logging in old-growth forests.” Quoting noted biologist and champion for biodiversity E.O. Wilson, Judge Coughenour pointed out that small creatures are "the little things that run the world" and are just as important for the function of the ecosystem as are the “charismatic megafauna” that often capture the attention.
Now, I’m not sure if the small, elusive forest predator pacific fisher qualifies as “mega”, but it sure makes a big impact on returning wild ecosystems to a natural balance. Some time this week even more pacific fisher will be joining the population we reintroduced into the Olympic Peninsula over the last two winters! And Dave had even more to say, "With this release, the park's new fisher population grows increasingly secure." We hope the BC fishers enjoy their new home this winter.
Finally, you can help put one last mega-bow on the holidays for wildlife this year with a simple click for wolves. An important action for Washington wolves is due Jan 8th, so please take action now before the season sweeps you away into parties and family events. The plan is complicated, but ensuring wolves are given the chance for proper recovery is simple, and we need you to tell the WDFW you are someone who cares about healthy, complete ecosystems in Washington.
