Fun and trash - Hillwood neighborhood litter pick up event
Friday, April 21, 2023
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| Hillwood volunteers hold their litter pickers in triumph after a successful clean up event Photo by Wayne Pridemore |
Hillwood Neighborhood Association held a CLEAN UP HILLWOOD work party on April 15, 2023 to pick up litter at Hillwood Park.
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| Chris Buzard and Madeline Pepple, Hillwood NA Secretary examine safety gear Photo by Wayne Pridemore |
Kits including safety vests, litter pickers, buckets and gloves were provided, along with snacks and water.
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| Chelsea Bush and Cassidy with daughters Marguerite and Rosemary Photo by Wayne Pridemore |
It was an opportunity for neighbors to get together, for families to demonstrate values to their children, and for the Hillwood Neighborhood Association to improve their environment.
Join Team Green at the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday
Monday, April 17, 2023
Clean up litter in LFP Parks for Earth Day with local environmental groups
Starting at Whispering Willow Park 17038 44th Ave NE at on Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9:00am, we will then walk to Blue Heron Park around 10:00am, then to Lyon Creek Park around 11:00am. We will finish up at City Hall where we can clean up the city rain garden.
Tools and gloves are supplied by the City in limited supply.
We will serve ice cold LFP artesian water to volunteers (please bring your own reusable cup).
Questions ? Contact Brian Saunders
The Stewardship Foundation is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization focused right here in Lake Forest Park, with the Mission:
Read more...
The LFP Green Fair is back and scheduled for April 29, 2023
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
The fair is hosted at Third Place Commons (top floor) from 10:00am to 2:00pm April 29, 2023.
Stay tuned for announcements on workshops, who will be in attendance with a booth, and more! We look forward to seeing you the 29th of April at the LFP Green Fair!
More information at the Facebook Event Page
For the Birds: Baby birds are emerging
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Baby birds are hatching — Spotted Towhees and Anna’s Hummingbird young have been spotted in my yard, which means Dark-eyed Juncos and Bewick’s Wrens are close behind.
Nestlings and fledglings need our help — don’t poison them with herbicides such as Round-up which get on their parents’ feet and get brought into the nests and cause them to die.
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| Bushtit looking for bugs to feed nestlings. Photo by Elaine Chuang |
Spraying bugs also kills birds. Parent birds feed their hatchlings a solid diet of bugs.
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| Rufous Hummingbird on nest. Photo by Doug Parrott |
If you find a baby bird on the ground, and it has feathers, it is a fledgling, and doesn’t need your help – its parents are nearby ready to nurture it.
| Dark-eyed Junco nest in fuschia. Photo by Christine Southwick |
https://www.pugetsoundbirds.org/baby-bird-advice
Let our local birds take care of the bugs. Smile as a new generation of birds prospers with your help.
Note: I carefully watered around the nest in the fuschia. Three juncos.
Celebrate Earth Day by picking up litter in the Hillwood Neighborhood
Thursday, March 30, 2023
- Call or text until April 12: 206-321-4380
- Email: geodowns@msn.com
Please note: Litter collecting on Aurora Ave N should not include child helpers. Also, Richmond Beach Rd and 205th will have more trash and traffic than other roads in Hillwood.
Thank you for signing up to CLEAN UP HILLWOOD on April 15!
Lithium-ion battery recycling event Saturday April 22, 2023
Thursday, March 23, 2023
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| Photo by Laura Rivera on Unsplash |
- Cell phones, laptops, tablets, electric toothbrushes, wireless headphones, power tool batteries.
- Bluetooth headphones and headsets, keyboards, mouse, digital cameras (pull memory card), e-readers (Kindles and Nooks), game controllers (X-Box, Nintendo, PlayStation), Smartwatches.
- Smoke / fire / carbon monoxide detectors IF 10yr without battery changers (ion or photoelectric alarms)
This is a great opportunity to take care of all these otherwise non-recyclable devices and participate in an important environmental program.
British Columbia’s new premier visits Olympia
Sunday, March 19, 2023
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| British Columbia Premier David Eby and Gov. Jay Inslee met Monday in Olympia to discuss shared priorities. The visit was the first of Eby’s term as B.C.’s new premier. |
British Columbia Premier David Eby visited Olympia on Monday, his first visit since becoming premier in November. Washington state and British Columbia have a fruitful history of cooperation, one that Eby and Gov. Jay Inslee are eager to continue.
"There are so many common priorities, common issues and challenges that our two jurisdictions face,” said Eby.
British Columbia is in the middle of a ten-year affordable housing plan, and recently doubled down with a proposal to invest further billions to expand housing supply. Likewise, Inslee has proposed a $4 billion bond to accelerate housing construction in Washington state.
A bilateral meeting between delegations from British Columbia and Washington state encompassed clean energy, economic connections, salmon, high-speed rail, housing, mental health, and drug addiction.
According to reporting on CBC, Eby says "U.S. legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden last year, which offers about $375 billion in new and extended tax credits to help the American clean energy industry, brings a "challenge'' to B.C. and requires the province to be better.
"Eby says he'll be keeping an eye on the approaching federal budget. He says Canada needs to be aware of American actions and consider how to remain competitive in the clean energy field."
Read more...
Ecology: Can we expect another drought? Washington’s water supply outlook
Saturday, March 18, 2023
It’s the time of year when people start wondering whether we can expect a drought in the near future. After multiple droughts over the last several years the question “will there be water” is likely on a lot of people’s minds. For most of the state, we’re cautiously optimistic. A few areas may see some challenges.
You’ll often hear a lot of talk about snowpack, or the lack thereof, when discussing water supply. Many watersheds in Washington, such as the Wenatchee and Methow River Basins, depend heavily on snowpack from the Cascade Mountains.
Right now, statewide, snowpack is slightly above 100 percent of normal, with runoff statewide forecasted to be just shy of average. Some basins are a little higher or lower than average. Lurking beneath the snowpack are soil-moisture deficits resulting from a dry spring and summer. Soil-moisture conditions are causing runoff forecasts to be revised downward in some basins, especially in the Okanogan and Methow basins.
Dept of Ecology responds to BNSF train derailment
Friday, March 17, 2023
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| BNSF train derailment near Anacortes Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology |
A unified command has formed to address the March 16, 2023 train derailment near Anacortes. The command consists of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington Dept. of Ecology, BNSF Railway, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
Shortly after midnight, a train derailed near the Swinomish Casino along the Padilla Bay waterfront. There were seven cars in the train, including two locomotives, one buffer car, and four tank cars. The two locomotives derailed, one of which spilled fuel to a berm on the land-side of the tracks. The buffer car partially derailed.
Responders arrived on the scene and found diesel on the ground and ongoing discharge from one of the locomotives. As a precautionary measure, cleanup contractors deployed boom to contain any spilled diesel from reaching the water and placed additional boom immediately off-shore. No petroleum sheen has been observed in the water.
Initial estimates were that up to 5,000 gallons of diesel spilled from the locomotive. Our current estimate based on fuel recovery efforts is that a maximum potential of up to 3,100 gallons was spilled.
Fuel was removed from the second locomotive that was not leaking. The four tank cars were removed from the scene and a lifting unit is on scene to lift and remove the locomotives.
Multiple drone flights and helicopter overflights by the U.S. Coast Guard have confirmed no impact to water or wildlife. There have been no injuries.
The cause of the incident is unknown at this time. There will be a full investigation once the cleanup is complete.
Provide input on the Shoreline’s Urban Forest Strategic Plan and Forest Management Plan
We will also host a public open house on April 13, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00pm where you can find out more about the plans and provide input. You can attend the open house in person at Shoreline City Hall or you can attend via Zoom (Zoom link).
We last updated the Urban Forest Strategic Plan in 2014. This plan provides a broad, strategic overview of the goals for public land and park-related forestry issues within the city.
Duwamish Tribe Cultural Preservation Officer consults with Shoreline Historical Museum re the Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connected.
- Chief Seattle
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| The Shoreline Historical Museum is located at 18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline WA |
By Sally Yamasaki
The Shoreline Historical Museum is in the process of researching the feasibility of planting a Miyawaki Urban Forest in a portion of the open field adjacent to the museum’s buildings. This forest will become the “walls” for subsequent plans to incorporate local history. (see previous article)
Looking at the open field, one could think that the land belongs to the museum alone, however, just as Chief Seattle’s quote reminds us, nothing exists in isolation whether it be our environment or our history.
“If you are near a sacred site or an area where there is a medium to high probability of finding cultural artifacts, and the depth of excavation disturbs the ground in layers that contain peat or alluvium, then depending on the project, the Duwamish and other tribes might request an archaeological review or at least have an inadvertent discovery plan put in place for the earthwork contractor,” according to Nancy Sackman, Cultural Preservation Officer for the Duwamish Tribe.
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| Kenneth Doutt (Shoreline Historical Museum Executive Director), Nancy Sackman (Cultural Preservation Officer for the Duwamish Tribe), Sarah Phillips (Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project Volunteer). |
Sackman came to the Shoreline Historical Museum for a site visit to help the museum learn about the impacts land disruption can have, and the steps it should take to make sure their Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project does not have a deleterious effect on the environment or history below the earth’s surface.
Sackman’s visit was a great reminder of the significance of the history of our past and how it is still very much present in our lives today.
The Shoreline Historical Museum is located at 18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.
For more information on the Shoreline Historical Museum and how to get involved, visit: https://shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org, or call 206-542-7111
Provide input on the City of Shoreline’s Urban Forest Strategic Plan and Forest Management Plan
Friday, March 10, 2023
The City of Shoreline is in the process of updating its Urban Forest Strategic Plan and the Green Shoreline 20-Year Forest Management Plan and we want to hear from residents.
Both plans provide guidance for the City’s Urban Forestry program.
We want to hear from residents as we work to improve the forestry and environmental health of our public lands. This includes the parks and open spaces managed by the City.
Visit the Urban Forest Strategic Plan webpage and fill out a short questionnaire on our urban forest restoration, maintenance, and tree planting efforts.
We will also host a public open house on April 13, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00pm where you can find out more about the plans and provide input. You can attend the open house in person at Shoreline City Hall or you can attend via Zoom (Zoom link).
We last updated the Urban Forest Strategic Plan in 2014. This plan provides a broad, strategic overview of the goals for public land and park-related forestry issues within the city. The 20-Year Forest Management Plan is a companion piece that provides guidance for tree planting and open space restoration efforts on City-owned Park land.
Read more...
Climate Action Shoreline: Interview with a Local Naturalist
By Diane Lobaugh
I love being involved in my neighborhood and city. There are so many good people that live and work and are growing up here. A city or community flourishes with good folks in government, but also with a lot of people, of all ages and backgrounds, that look out for their neighborhoods, schools, trees, people, streams, gardens, and wildlife.
This month I interviewed a wonderful woman who lives here in Shoreline, whose life is discovering and teaching about our natural world.
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| Julie Luthy photo by Diane Lobaugh |
Meet Julie Luthy. Julie has always been a naturalist and shares her love of the outdoors with people all around her. I met Julie through a mutual friend who knew about her work in our community. Julie became part of Climate Action Shoreline and helped write our brochure on daily climate actions.
“I encourage people to go outside and slow down, looking and listening carefully. Nature is dynamic and to notice the changes is a gift we give ourselves and to those we share it with.”
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| What lives in a tide pool? Photo by Julie Luthy |
In Washington Julie has worked in city parks and schools. She currently works with preschoolers through 5th graders in and outside of schools.
Julie gives her students homework but not a due date. She says: “For the rest of your life I want you to notice plants blooming, worm castings, birds singing.”
Julie also teaches parents and teachers, encouraging us to slow down with children, and to share in their excitement of discovery. This will in turn encourage more close observation and can develop into a lifelong relationship with nature.
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| Local heron photo by Diane Lobaugh |
Julie understands that young people need to feel a connection to the earth before we can ask them to save it.
As a scientist Julie asks her students lots of questions and encourages them to notice and think. She asks her youngest students: what do worms, and potato bugs need to survive?
With 5th graders Julie explains the difference between weather and climate. And discusses global climate change, and the science behind it.
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| Native Douglas squirrel photo by Julie Lothy |
Julie lives not too far from one of her schools, just through the trees. The teacher sometimes tells her students that Julie lives over there, pointing to the trees.
Thank you, Julie. I am glad that we will see you in the neighborhood.
Diane Lobaugh (with Julie's help)
~~~
Past Shoreline Area News articles based on the pamphlet from Climate Action Shoreline: Start Over Every Sunday, Fossil Fuel Free Friday, Supportive Saturday, What is Climate?, Thinking about our World Community, Ending war is a climate issue. View them here
Senate passes Salomon bill to protect marine shoreline habitats
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
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| Sen. Jesse Salomon |
Senate Bill 5104, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-32), (and co-sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-1) directs the state Department of Ecology (DOE) to conduct a survey of Puget Sound marine shorelines using new technology to better determine where to prioritize habitat restoration and protection actions.
By June 30, 2024, the bill requires DOE to conduct and maintain a baseline survey of Puget Sound marine shorelines using new technology to capture 360-degree on-the-water imagery. The on-the-water view would be similar to Google street view, with private information blurred.
“Washington is one of the most beautiful states in our nation, and we need to do everything we can to protect our ecosystems. An accurate and up-to-date shoreline survey will help us determine how to prioritize protection and restoration of our shorelines,” Salomon said.
“We need to address the current information gaps in order to understand where critical habitat exists, where development exists and where restoration needs to happen.”
The survey to document and map existing shoreline conditions, structures and structure conditions must be completed by June 2025. The information from the surveys will be available to the public and incorporated into state geographic information system mapping and updated on a regular two-year cycle.
“We are quickly running out of time in the race to save Puget Sound,” said Amy Carey from Sound Action.
“Without baseline surveys, recovery and nearshore protection efforts have been missing a critical tool in the fight. This bill will change that, giving shoreline planners, nonprofits and other stakeholders the up-to-date information they need to recover the marine food web — including forage fish, marine birds, salmon and the endangered Southern Resident orcas.”
This bill is now headed to the House for consideration.
Snag at Darnell Park
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
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| Photo by Katie McGowan |
Here is just one of many beautiful wildlife snags at Darnell Park, 1125 N 165th St, Shoreline, WA 98133, on the Interurban Trail.
What do you do when good food goes bad? Take the King county survey
Friday, February 24, 2023
To help get more food waste out of the garbage, King County Solid Waste Division is hosting an online survey that starts today and ends April 30. The survey will help the county better understand how residents in different parts of the county manage their garbage and food waste and help inform future policies to reduce food waste going to the landfill, protect the environment, and meet the needs of our communities.
Take the survey
The All-Electric Home: What's Involved and New Funding Options - webinar March 8, 2023
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Webinar hosted by King County Library System
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 from 6:30 - 8pm
Switching to all-electric appliances, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, can reduce your carbon emissions, improve your comfort and indoor air quality, and often reduce bills. Find out how to electrify your home and contribute to a sustainable Shoreline!
On March 8 from 6:30 - 8:00pm, join experts from ReWiring America and Electrify Now to learn about modern high efficiency electric solutions and how they compare to gas appliances.
This online event is hosted by the King County Library System. Limited spots are available and registration is required. So, don’t wait! Register online now to save your spot!
Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request. Email access@kcls.org at least seven days before the event. Automated closed captioning is always available for online events.
In partnership with ReWiring America, Electrify Now and Energy Smart Eastside.ReWiring America is the leading national electrification policy and advocacy nonprofit focused on electrifying everything in our communities.
Electrify Now is a volunteer organization focused on a clean energy economy that empowers homeowners to embrace the advantages of electrification.
Puget Sound Energy to provide the Port of Seattle with Renewable Natural Gas
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
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| Renewable natural gas produced from Klickitat landfill heats airport terminals and fuel transportation Photo courtesy PSE |
The Port of Seattle Maritime Division and Economic Development Department will use the renewable natural gas at all its facilities currently using natural gas, including the top three currently using the most natural gas; Pier 66, Terminal 91 and its maintenance facilities.
“PSE’s Renewable Natural Gas program will immediately cut our own maritime division greenhouse gas emissions almost in half,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins. “That reduction helps us meet goals while implementing longer term solutions to phase out fossil fuels.”
Through a different agreement, the Port also purchases renewable natural gas made from landfill waste to heat the airport terminals and fuel transportation. The purchase of renewable natural gas for the airport helped reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions from Port-owned and -controlled sources like building facilities and vehicle fleets by 50 percent a decade sooner than planned.
This agreement with the Port’s Maritime Division and Economic Development Department is part of PSE’s voluntary Renewable Natural Gas program (RNG), a key part of its proposed pathway to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2045. Through RNG, renters, homeowners and businesses can replace a portion of their conventional natural gas usage with lower carbon renewable natural gas.
“Our RNG program gives customers a way to reduce carbon emissions today, and meet sustainability goals on their own timeline,” said Ken Johnson, PSE Vice President of External Affairs. “We’re impressed by the Port of Seattle’s commitment. This partnership is another way we are working together with our customers to help create a cleaner energy future for all.”
PSE’s voluntary RNG program also offers utility customers the option to replace a portion of their conventional natural gas use with renewable natural gas. For every block of RNG a customer purchases, they see a credit on their bill for an equivalent amount of conventional natural gas not used. Already, more than 5,000 PSE customers have enrolled in RNG since its launch in December of 2021.
Supply for renewable natural gas comes from a long-term contract with Klickitat Public Utility District. Methane from a Washington landfill is captured, processed into renewable natural gas, and added directly into PSE’s natural gas system. (see previous article)
As part of PSE’s aspirational Beyond Net Zero Carbon goal, PSE aims to reach net zero carbon emissions for natural gas used in customer homes and businesses by 2045, with an interim target of a 30 percent emissions reduction by 2030.
To learn more about RNG or to sign up, visit pse.com/rng. For more on PSE’s work to support clean fuel development for electricity generation and in the pipeline delivery system, visit the Lower Carbon-Fuels website.
How RNG works
PSE gas customers can purchase up to three blocks of RNG for $5 per block. Each block is the equivalent of 2.732 therms of conventional natural gas use – or about 5 percent of the average residential customer’s monthly gas use. Customers receive a small bill credit – approximately $1.25 per month – per block for the commodity cost of the conventional natural gas they’re replacing.
What is renewable natural gas?
The decomposition of plant and animal material at waste landfills, water treatment plants, livestock farms and more produces methane that can be upgraded to pipeline quality and used as a replacement for conventional natural gas.
About Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle’s mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.
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