Kimberly Cauvel | The Seattle Times

April 26, 2020 at 7:05 am

Increasing number of elephant seals making homes in Puget Sound

Northern elephant seals have a range from Alaska to Mexico. Most of the animals make their way along the coast, but some venture into Puget...

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Stanwood, Wa. February 13, 2014
A Short-eared owl takes flight as it hunts rodents in the fields along Eide Road near Stanwood.

November 29, 2019 at 7:03 am

Wildlife rescuers seeing high numbers of owls hit by vehicles in Skagit County

While there’s always an uptick in injured owls this time of year, 17 since Sept. 15 is unusually high.

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OTTER ON PINE LAKE – SAMMAMISH – 101310
A North American river otter surfaces on Pine Lake in Sammamish with a large crayfish in it’s mouth that it’s plucked from the bottom of the lake. Incredible swimmers, otters use large powerful webbed hind feet and a muscular tail to propel themselves through the water, catching prey with their mouths. Their fur is waterproof and they close their ears and noses when underwater. Along with crayfish, they eat birds, crabs, fish, frogs and turtles.

October 26, 2019 at 5:50 pm

Otter droppings on Whidbey Island provide clues to environment’s health

The cute critters can reveal insights into the health of the environment because they are sensitive to pollutants.

September 1, 2019 at 7:07 am

Restoring wetlands can take tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere, WWU study shows

A restored salt marsh at Port Susan Bay Preserve could someday capture about 9,000 metric tons of carbon — equivalent to emissions from 7,000 vehicles...

August 29, 2019 at 5:52 pm

Shellfish harvesting closed in Skagit County because of biotoxin

The biotoxin is produced by a type of algae found in marine water and that tends to bloom in the region during the summer.

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May 27, 2019 at 9:45 am

Washington faces especially bad wildfire season

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Wildfire responders in Western Washington — including Skagit County — are preparing for a particularly bad wildfire season. With less precipitation...

May 17, 2019 at 7:06 am

Seattle City Light agrees to provide water to mitigate wells

An agreement between Seattle City Light and the state Department of Ecology will remove legal uncertainty over water use for hundreds of homes in parts...

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February 9, 2019 at 4:46 pm

Oak Harbor resident claims water is tainted with chemicals

The plaintiff, Krista Jackson, is asking the court to require the companies to pay her and potentially thousands of others who have been affected by...

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July 1, 2018 at 7:22 pm

Shell of invasive green crab found in Fidalgo Bay

It’s the third year Fidalgo Bay has been monitored for green crabs, but the first time evidence of one has been found.

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In this photo 2006 provided by Jon Knechtel, the Ruth Creek Valley is seen from the Pacific Northwest Trail near Bellingham, Wash. Efforts to create a Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail began in 1970 and finally achieved success when President Obama in March signed a bill creating the first new national scenic trails in 26 years. (AP Photo/Jon Knechtel) ** NO SALES ; MAGS OUT** NY412

May 11, 2018 at 8:15 pm

Work being done to perfect the Pacific Northwest Trail

The Pacific Northwest Trail is meant to showcase pristine wilderness, but the portion that passes through Skagit County isn’t living up to the rugged nature...

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