Topic: Nature
Bufflehead on the Wing
Written on December 24, 2021 at 5:31 am, by Tim Dustrude
John Miller is back again with another beautiful photo to share, and again captured at Dream Lake (Lakedale). This time it’s a Bufflehead on the wing. Thanks for sharing John!
Swan on Dream Lake
Written on December 20, 2021 at 10:03 am, by Tim Dustrude
Local photographer John Miller shares this image he captured Saturday of a swan on Dream Lake (Lakedale). Thanks for sharing John!
Freezer Burned: Tales of Interior Alaska
Written on December 18, 2021 at 5:22 am, by Tim Dustrude
Freezer Burned is an ongoing series on the San Juan Update, written by Steve Ulvi… (Authors note: this fictional tale of Alaska bush life adventure, grief and redemption, circa the 1980s, will be continued founded upon two previous stories. See Freezer Burned: “No Matter What” and “The Confines of Heaven” for character background.) The Confines Continue Reading
What Gift Keeps Giving?
Written on December 13, 2021 at 4:12 am, by Tim Dustrude
This article was Submitted by Transitions San Juan Island Waste Management Group… What keeps on giving each year? Creating traditions that help nature: A potted fir tree brought inside to decorate, used yearly; growing side by side with us all. A candle lit every Xmas eve. A cactus passed down through generations, nourished and watered Continue Reading
Zoom Presentation on Forest Health and Resiliency at Turtleback Mountain and Turtlehead Preserves
Written on December 9, 2021 at 5:13 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Conservation Land Bank and the Preservation Trust recently completed a forest assessment at Turtleback and Turtlehead Preserves. The resulting report (click here to view report) outlines a variety of forest management actions aimed at increasing forest health, habitat value and climate change resiliency. Staff are incorporating the recommended actions into the forthcoming update to Continue Reading
Curious Minds
Written on December 7, 2021 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
This article written by Dominic Sivitilli… The lab was buzzing with excitement when I arrived. A few weeks into the summer term, the water tables of Lab 3 were teeming with invertebrate life. All varieties of morphology and behavior were on display for our class to study. But something was different today: the lab had Continue Reading
Difficult Times: Coping with Eco-Anxiety and Exurban Delusion as the Future Darkens
Written on November 23, 2021 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
This morning we find a letter to you in the San Juan Update Mailbag from Steve Ulvi… In the late 1960s, my outdoor adventures grew grittier; in wilder landscapes, greatly expanding on childhood camping trips. My dominant interests became nature-centered, access under one’s own power. I felt the thrum of the non-human community of life Continue Reading
Trail Times: Fall, 2021 – King Sisters Preserve Trail
Written on November 4, 2021 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
Trail Times is a continuing series of articles introducing the Old Military Road Trail (OMRT), a proposed 18-21 mile cross-island non-motorized multi-use trail linking English Camp and American Camp and honoring the original Old Military Road. The King Sisters Preserve is an often overlooked little gem in our San Juan Island Trail System. Strategically located Continue Reading
Thor Hanson Author Talk and Stroll at Zylstra Lake Preserve
Written on November 3, 2021 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
(Friday Harbor, WA) – November 2, 2021 – Join author Thor Hanson for two upcoming events hosted by the San Juan Island Library. Hanson will regale readers with a discussion of his newly released book, Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid: The Fraught and Fascinating Biology of Climate Change via Zoom on Wednesday, November 3, at Continue Reading
Owl Talk
Written on October 22, 2021 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
At 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 23, 2021, join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, to explore the fascinating world of island owls, and learn about the many different owls that live here on the San Juan Islands. We hope you can all attend this enlightening talk. To register email: [email protected] You will Continue Reading
EDC to offer free Tree Worker Basics Course on Orcas Island
Written on September 22, 2021 at 10:10 am, by Tim Dustrude
People who want to make a living working with trees or forests are invited to a free, hands-on, outdoor course offered by the Economic Development Council of San Juan County (EDC). The course will be taught by Carson Sprenger, proprietor of Rain Shadow Consulting at their Orcas Island facilities, Saturdays Oct. 30th – Nov. 20th, Continue Reading
Madrona Institute Awards Stewardship Grants
Written on September 18, 2021 at 9:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Madrona Institute has awarded $22,500 in grants to local nonprofit organizations in its first year of grant making based on revenues received from sales of the San Juan Islands Special License Plate. This year’s grantees include: San Juan Islands Conservation District for their San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corps ($6,000), Friends of the San Continue Reading
San Juan County Land Bank September 2021 Meeting & Agenda
Written on September 15, 2021 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan County Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting on September 17, from 8:30am-11:15am via Zoom. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes ZOOM link) and meeting materials. To learn more about your Conservation Land Bank, visit sjclandbank.org. If you’re interested in volunteering and/or joining our Continue Reading
Monument Advisory Committee to meet virtually next week
Written on September 11, 2021 at 5:39 am, by Tim Dustrude
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), today, announced it will hold a meeting of the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC). The public is welcome to attend the meeting which will occur on Tuesday, Sept. 14, via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Planned agenda items at the meeting Continue Reading
Camas Club Sprouts a New Website for Island Backyard Restorationists
Written on September 9, 2021 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
The recently formed Camas Club launches a website https://camas.club created for and by islanders to connect with other backyard habitat enthusiasts. It is a place where native habitat aficionados can ask questions, share resources, organize seed swaps, and more. By exchanging information about aspects such as restoration techniques, lessons learned, trusted sources of native plant Continue Reading
Tree protections? Planning for growth? Your help is needed by Sept 14!
Written on September 9, 2021 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following article is shared with you by R. Brent Lyles, Executive Director, Friends of the San Juans It’s time to spring into action! On the morning of Tuesday, September 14th, the County Council will hold a hearing on the 2021 docket. This year’s docket includes proposals for new tree-protection standards, stormwater-management standards, and doing Continue Reading
Bufflehead on the Wing
Written on December 24, 2021 at 5:31 am, by Tim Dustrude
John Miller is back again with another beautiful photo to share, and again captured at Dream Lake (Lakedale). This time it’s a Bufflehead on the wing. Thanks for sharing John!
Swan on Dream Lake
Written on December 20, 2021 at 10:03 am, by Tim Dustrude
Local photographer John Miller shares this image he captured Saturday of a swan on Dream Lake (Lakedale). Thanks for sharing John!
Freezer Burned: Tales of Interior Alaska
Written on December 18, 2021 at 5:22 am, by Tim Dustrude
Freezer Burned is an ongoing series on the San Juan Update, written by Steve Ulvi… (Authors note: this fictional tale of Alaska bush life adventure, grief and redemption, circa the 1980s, will be continued founded upon two previous stories. See Freezer Burned: “No Matter What” and “The Confines of Heaven” for character background.) The Confines Continue Reading
What Gift Keeps Giving?
Written on December 13, 2021 at 4:12 am, by Tim Dustrude
This article was Submitted by Transitions San Juan Island Waste Management Group… What keeps on giving each year? Creating traditions that help nature: A potted fir tree brought inside to decorate, used yearly; growing side by side with us all. A candle lit every Xmas eve. A cactus passed down through generations, nourished and watered Continue Reading
Zoom Presentation on Forest Health and Resiliency at Turtleback Mountain and Turtlehead Preserves
Written on December 9, 2021 at 5:13 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Conservation Land Bank and the Preservation Trust recently completed a forest assessment at Turtleback and Turtlehead Preserves. The resulting report (click here to view report) outlines a variety of forest management actions aimed at increasing forest health, habitat value and climate change resiliency. Staff are incorporating the recommended actions into the forthcoming update to Continue Reading
Curious Minds
Written on December 7, 2021 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
This article written by Dominic Sivitilli… The lab was buzzing with excitement when I arrived. A few weeks into the summer term, the water tables of Lab 3 were teeming with invertebrate life. All varieties of morphology and behavior were on display for our class to study. But something was different today: the lab had Continue Reading
Difficult Times: Coping with Eco-Anxiety and Exurban Delusion as the Future Darkens
Written on November 23, 2021 at 5:42 am, by Tim Dustrude
This morning we find a letter to you in the San Juan Update Mailbag from Steve Ulvi… In the late 1960s, my outdoor adventures grew grittier; in wilder landscapes, greatly expanding on childhood camping trips. My dominant interests became nature-centered, access under one’s own power. I felt the thrum of the non-human community of life Continue Reading
Trail Times: Fall, 2021 – King Sisters Preserve Trail
Written on November 4, 2021 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
Trail Times is a continuing series of articles introducing the Old Military Road Trail (OMRT), a proposed 18-21 mile cross-island non-motorized multi-use trail linking English Camp and American Camp and honoring the original Old Military Road. The King Sisters Preserve is an often overlooked little gem in our San Juan Island Trail System. Strategically located Continue Reading
Thor Hanson Author Talk and Stroll at Zylstra Lake Preserve
Written on November 3, 2021 at 5:50 am, by Tim Dustrude
(Friday Harbor, WA) – November 2, 2021 – Join author Thor Hanson for two upcoming events hosted by the San Juan Island Library. Hanson will regale readers with a discussion of his newly released book, Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid: The Fraught and Fascinating Biology of Climate Change via Zoom on Wednesday, November 3, at Continue Reading
Owl Talk
Written on October 22, 2021 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
At 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 23, 2021, join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, to explore the fascinating world of island owls, and learn about the many different owls that live here on the San Juan Islands. We hope you can all attend this enlightening talk. To register email: [email protected] You will Continue Reading
EDC to offer free Tree Worker Basics Course on Orcas Island
Written on September 22, 2021 at 10:10 am, by Tim Dustrude
People who want to make a living working with trees or forests are invited to a free, hands-on, outdoor course offered by the Economic Development Council of San Juan County (EDC). The course will be taught by Carson Sprenger, proprietor of Rain Shadow Consulting at their Orcas Island facilities, Saturdays Oct. 30th – Nov. 20th, Continue Reading
Madrona Institute Awards Stewardship Grants
Written on September 18, 2021 at 9:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Madrona Institute has awarded $22,500 in grants to local nonprofit organizations in its first year of grant making based on revenues received from sales of the San Juan Islands Special License Plate. This year’s grantees include: San Juan Islands Conservation District for their San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corps ($6,000), Friends of the San Continue Reading
San Juan County Land Bank September 2021 Meeting & Agenda
Written on September 15, 2021 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan County Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting on September 17, from 8:30am-11:15am via Zoom. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes ZOOM link) and meeting materials. To learn more about your Conservation Land Bank, visit sjclandbank.org. If you’re interested in volunteering and/or joining our Continue Reading
Monument Advisory Committee to meet virtually next week
Written on September 11, 2021 at 5:39 am, by Tim Dustrude
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), today, announced it will hold a meeting of the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC). The public is welcome to attend the meeting which will occur on Tuesday, Sept. 14, via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Planned agenda items at the meeting Continue Reading
Camas Club Sprouts a New Website for Island Backyard Restorationists
Written on September 9, 2021 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
The recently formed Camas Club launches a website https://camas.club created for and by islanders to connect with other backyard habitat enthusiasts. It is a place where native habitat aficionados can ask questions, share resources, organize seed swaps, and more. By exchanging information about aspects such as restoration techniques, lessons learned, trusted sources of native plant Continue Reading
Tree protections? Planning for growth? Your help is needed by Sept 14!
Written on September 9, 2021 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following article is shared with you by R. Brent Lyles, Executive Director, Friends of the San Juans It’s time to spring into action! On the morning of Tuesday, September 14th, the County Council will hold a hearing on the 2021 docket. This year’s docket includes proposals for new tree-protection standards, stormwater-management standards, and doing Continue Reading