State finds $1.45 billion windfall as legislature looks to pass supplemental budget | The Spokesman-Review
WACD Reading List
Passing the Private Forest Accord Would Help Oregon Catch Up with Washington and California - Sightline Institute
The resulting Private Forest Accord deal, signed in October 2021, would amend Oregon’s Forest Practices Act to expand riparian buffers, tighten protections against landslides and erosion, support small woodland owners, and improve the rulemaking process going forward
Is Your Company Inclusive of Neurodivergent Employees?
The number of people with autism entering the workforce in the next 10 years and beyond is on the rise
Western states face a bleak future amid the worst drought in more than 1,000 years | PBS NewsHour
The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week.
Washington Snowpack Dwindles To Start February – PNW AG Network
Washington’s statewide snowpack is sitting at 99% of average for this time of year, but according to NRCS the snowpack is dwindling.
Billions of federal dollars headed to Western forests to manage fires | Crosscut
A U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement on Jan. 18 adds nearly $3 billion more to the nation's forest restoration efforts and fire reduction
U.S. District Court restores federal protection of wolves | TheFencePost.com
SAN FRANSCISCO, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action, and the Center for a Humane Economy, and affiliates applauded a U.S. District Court for doing away with a last-minute Trump administration rule removing wolves from the Endangered Species Act
Rule bill to support farmers after natural disasters passes House – Washington State House Democrats
The Washington House of Representatives advanced legislation by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) today to assist farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disasters.
As omicron subsides in WA, health officials are hopeful and vigilant | Crosscut
Experts predict a 'long, winding road' to get past COVID but some wonder if we're seeing the end of the pandemic.
NASDA registers concerns over WOTUS rulemaking | Water | capitalpress.com
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has told the federal government it has significant concerns with the rationale used in the proposed rulemaking for the “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.
The Overlooked Leadership Skill of Asking Questions - PA TIMES Online | PA TIMES Online
1) Leaders don’t have to have all the right answers. 2) Good leaders are willing to be curious by asking others for their insights and ideas. 3) Leaders who ask questions model a learning culture.
USDA to Invest $1 Billion in Climate Smart Commodities, Expanding Markets, Strengthening Rural America | NRCS
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Feb. 7, 2022 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today at Lincoln University that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is delivering on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
Dana Coggon, Kitsap County's 'weed czar,' departs for new job
But on Monday, she left for a job as director of the Pierce County Conservation District. Coggon leaves a prolific mark in the fight to push back against invasive plant species in Kitsap County.
Producers meat the challenge in Clark County - The Columbian
Lack of processing facilities, high land costs vex county farmers
Inslee's buffer bill faced uncertain future, Senate ag chairman says | Rural Life | capitalpress.com
The buffer bill fell victim to a deadline for legislation to pass either a Senate or House committee. Bills that didn't clear that first hurdle were set aside for the rest of the session.
250K steelhead fish missing from Washington state hatchery - OPB
The smolts that were discovered missing on Sunday accounted for about 64% of Lyons Ferry Hatchery’s Wallowa stock summer steelhead and less than 8% of the overall hatchery steelhead production in the Snake River basin
LWV Conservation District Program - YouTube
Learn about Kittitas County Conservation District, what it does, what it is, who can benefit from its work, and why its Board of Supervisor elections are held outside the general ballot elections.
Do Your Diversity Initiatives Promote Assimilation Over Inclusion?
It is not uncommon to see the group with the least privilege expected to change its behavior to help achieve equity in an organization. Rarely does anyone feel safe and included in any dynamic where they are the only ones expected to change.
New grant available to Washington state small meat processors | Livestock | capitalpress.com
...the application period is now open for the program, called the WSDA Local Meat Processing Capacity Grants.
The deadline to apply for a small project grant, with funding available up to $150,000, is Feb. 28, while the deadline for large project grants, eligible for funding between $150,000 to $750,000, is March 7.
Ditching Odd-Year Elections Would Give More Washingtonians a Say in Local Government - Sightline Institute
House Bill 1727 would do away with the elections that many voters forget
3 Strategies for Holding Yourself Accountable
Cool, wet spring in store for much of Pacific Northwest | Grains and row crops | capitalpress.com
Spring and summer will be cool and wet in the Pacific Northwest as the La Nina weather pattern lingers
Salmon are no longer kings of the Columbia. That has biologists worried - Columbia Insight
A recent report shows an explosion of growth of a non-native species in the Columbia River.
Do you trust your new team member?
But two years in, many teams have new members, and some are being completely reformed. Do you trust the new people as much as you did the folks you already knew?
A first for Pierce Conservation District
USDA Announces Inaugural Federal Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture | USDA
Oregon scientist, research vessel join international expedition to study salmon - OPB
Oregon scientist Laurie Weitkamp is preparing to depart on the largest research expedition of its kind in the North Pacific Ocean with scientists from around the world who want to learn more about salmon as climate change is causing unpredictable changes in the species.
Election changes: Proposed ban on odd-year elections advances; Senate panel passes ranked-choice voting - Washington State Wire
The larger proposed change is House Bill 1727, which would get rid of most elections in odd-numbered years.
Colorado rancher hopes fencing will prevent wolf attacks | AP News
About a dozen people recently helped Gittleson trudge through the deep snow to put up 3 miles of fladry around a pasture near his ranch house.
New Hope For A Rare Plant At Hanford Reach - Northwest Public Broadcasting
This winter, a team of plant researchers is giving the Umtanum desert buckwheat new hope. Researchers and volunteers planted a second outcropping at the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy near Yakima.