Nearly half the U.S. is in drought that's expected to grow worse: NOAA
WACD Reading List
USDA Announces $218 Million Investment in Land and Water Conservation | USDA
$3.7 million to acquire 1,550 acres in the Yakima River Basin for the Washington Cascades Project. Supported by a wide coalition of public, private and nonprofit partners, this project seeks to ensure a long-term water supply in the face of climate change.
Battle over Washington’s budget looms as revenue picture improves | Spokane Public Radio
What the 1918 flu can teach us about COVID and ‘returning to normal’ | Crosscut
COVID-19's arc of brutal consequences will stretch far into the future.
Rant and Rave: Reader does not appreciate scam calls | The Seattle Times
RAVE to the people who worked at the annual Snohomish Conservation District plant sale. It’s a huge effort even before the pandemic. The required changes to be able to hand the plants out made it even more so. Thank you!
Washington state projected to get $3.2 billion more in taxes as economy brightens amid COVID-19 recovery | The Seattle Times
OLYMPIA — Washington’s state tax collections are roaring back, with an estimated additional $3.2 billion projected through 2023 as parts of the economy brighten and people get vaccinated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s a big chunk of money for a state with a $53.3 billion, two-year state budget that funds schools, parks, prisons and other programs.
Washington lawmakers get good news on state revenues | Tacoma News Tribune
Washington’s economy continues to improve, with the latest state revenue forecast showing that lawmakers will have more than $3 billion more to work with as they prepare to unveil budget plans next week, plus money the state will receive from the latest federal stimulus package.
The Cultural Life Cycle of Organizations | Psychology Today
As organizations grow, they progress through somewhat predictable patterns of culture change. This happens because culture is an expression of how a group of people works together to solve collective problems...
Why you should wear a face mask after vaccination -- at least for now - CNN
The fastest way to get back to a safe, mask-free life is for everyone to get a Covid-19 vaccine. But just because you've gotten a shot of protection doesn't mean you should rip off your mask immediately. That could actually set you back and put your friends and family at risk.
The Age Of Automation Is Now: Here's How To 'Futureproof' Yourself | Spokane Public Radio
Are robots coming for your job? New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose says companies and governments are increasingly using automation and artificial intelligence to cut costs, transform workplaces and eliminate jobs — and more changes are coming.
B.C. biotech company seeks emergency approval for COVID-19 nasal spray treatment | CTV News
VANCOUVER -- A B.C. biotech firm says it has developed an effective treatment for anyone who’s contracted COVID-19, and is now seeking federal approval for emergency use of the product.
State lawmakers have long called for dedicated wildfire funding; this could be the year it happens | The Spokesman-Review
OLYMPIA – After a historically deadly and destructive 2020 wildfire season, lawmakers are looking at ways to invest in forest health and wildfire prevention. A bill that passed the state House of Representatives unanimously last week might do just that.
Washington state, Canada try to kill Asian giant hornets | Washington | capitalpress.com
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Wildlife officials in Washington state have said British Columbia and U.S. federal and state agencies will work together to track, trap and eradicate Asian giant hornets in the Pacific Northwest.
Coordinator’s Corner – March – Urban and community Forestry in Washington State
This article starts with the good news that the Evergreen Communities Act (ECA), now referred to as Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1216 (E2SHB 1216), has passed the state House of Representatives with a vote of 72-25, plus one excused vote.
Employers Must Ensure the Safety of Home Workspaces
US Coronavirus: A concerning variant is about to become dominant in the US, experts say, and how Americans act could help fuel or curb a surge - CNN
The safety measures will be especially crucial now that multiple variants of the virus are circulating -- including the highly contagious B.1.1.7 variant that was first identified in the UK. It's projected to become the dominant variant in the US by the end of this month or early April, Walensky said Monday.
Google Warns Mac, Windows Users of Chrome Zero-Day Flaw | Threatpost
Google is hurrying out a fix for a vulnerability in its Chrome browser that’s under active attack – its third zero-day flaw so far this year. If exploited, the flaw could allow remote code-execution and denial-of-service attacks on affected systems.
State legislative report 0314: Budget negotiations picking up steam | WAWG
The focus of the Legislature has shifted from approving bills on the floor of the House and Senate to meeting in committees, holding public hearings and voting on bills that the opposite chamber approved. Bills need to pass out of their respective policy committees by March 26 to continue to advance through the legislative process.
Citizens of Washington Take Up Climate Change Solutions - Sightline Institute
Could randomly selected Washingtonians from all walks of life come up with something better? That’s what the Washington Climate Assembly is hoping to find out.
Revised March 2021 Economic Forecast
The Revised March 2021 Economic Forecast is now available online.
Drought in California: why 77 percent of the Western US is abnormally dry - Vox
Rising temperatures and lack of rain threaten to decrease water supplies and bring more wildfires this summer and in the years to come.
Half the Country Is Now Considering Right to Repair Laws
But people across the world are tired of it and 25 states in the U.S. are considering right-to-repair legislation in 2021.
What Is a Rain Garden and How Do You Make One?
a rain garden is a garden where native shrubs, perennials and flowers are planted in a small dip in the ground, usually formed on a natural slope, the Groundwater Foundation explains. The goal of a rain garden is to temporarily hold and absorb rain water runoff coming from roofs, driveways, patios or lawns.
Deadline Approaches For Wildfire-Related Loans | Spokane Public Radio
The Small Business Administration says the window is still open for people and firms harmed by last September’s wildfires.
The federal agency is reminding eastern Washington and north Idaho residents interested in wildfire-related loans due to last September’s fires that they must apply by April 12.
The Secret of Adaptable Organizations Is Trust
However, the real issue is not successfully transforming your organization on a one-time basis — it’s writing the ability to adapt and transform into the company’s DNA. It’s developing a mechanism or reflex for dealing with whatever crisis comes along, be it financial, technological, environmental, or health related.
Cascade Snowpack More Vulnerable To Climate Change Than Inland Neighbors, Study Suggests | Northwest Public Broadcasting
New research suggests mountain snowpack in the Cascades is among the most vulnerable in the U.S. to the effects of climate change.
A Mixed Bag: Northwest’s Iconic Salmon Face Tough Conditions During Ocean Journey | Northwest Public Broadcasting
Ocean conditions can be integral to salmon survival. And in 2021, the Pacific Northwest’s iconic fish will face a mixed bag: some good and some bad conditions while out at sea.
Morning Wire: State of the Legislature post-cutoff - Washington State Wire
Forest Service grants available to NCW | Local News | wenatcheeworld.com
People, nonprofits and government agencies can apply for funding through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest through the Secure Rural Schools program.
Washington climate activists disagree about how to cut carbon | Crosscut
A landmark bill in the state Legislature has split environmentalists, with some questioning whether it will reduce pollution in communities hardest hit by it.