Earth Day was born out of a movement to improve the lives of people and nature, inspiring sweeping legislative action and investments. Today, federal infrastructure funding and WA Climate Commitment Act are a continuation of this movement, investments making a tangible impact locally. As an example, Washington’s historic funding of the Floodplains by Design program is contributing to nature-based floodplain management across the state to reduce flood risk, protect communities and protect salmon habitat. These state and federal dollars are just the start of local climate action that will improve the daily lives and the future of all Washingtonians.
Meet DeAnne Hamilton: Learn how the general manager of Tacoma’s KBTC Public Television and TNC in Washington trustee, uses the power of storytelling to engage people in conservation and create a better future for the next generation.
Nestled in the cliffs in Moses Coulee is an import desert water sources that every springs attracts thousands of Pacific Tree frogs. I came to Whisper Lake for a night concert. It was anything but quiet. The chorus of frogs was soothing, calming—the quintessential sound of spring.
The Cle Elum Wildlife Project is improving our understanding of how wildlife use and move through protected forest landscapes, providing us with an opportunity to test how forest management practices impact wildlife and building an evidence base for permanent protection.
The 2024 state legislative session is underway! The Nature Conservancy’s highest priority for the 2024 legislative session is ensuring the success of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). With revenue from the CCA cap-and-invest program, we have an opportunity this session to make big investments in Natural Climate Solutions, a just transition, Environmental Justice Council recommendations, and investments to attract federal climate funding.
68 bison were rematriated to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians as part of the North American Team’s partnership with InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC). For more than 30 years, ITBC has worked to restore spiritual and cultural relationships between Tribal Nations and buffalo. This partnership illuminates the importance of buffalo beyond their conservation merit—a keystone species for grasslands and prairies. The new Kalispel buffalo are the first from this partnership to be relocated to Washington state. They joined an existing herd, which primarily supports Kalispel food sovereignty and their generous spirit.
This month, Tribal Nations across the United States are celebrating National Native American Heritage Month, honoring their sovereignty, traditions, languages and stories. We acknowledge and elevate this month, and every month, alongside Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities. Indigenous Peoples are the original caretakers of nature—their longstanding relationship with the land has culminated in extensive knowledge and practices, which are vital to successful, reciprocal conservation outcomes.
From an early influence of the Norwegian outdoor ethic called friluftsliv to chairing the Puget Sound Partnership, Martha Kongsgaard, co-founder of the Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation and a Trustee of The Nature Conservancy in Washington, demonstrates the importance of safeguarding the environment and advocating for the well-being of communities.
Maia Bellon, Partner at Cascadia Law Group and TNC Trustee, discusses how growing up with an intertribal and transcultural family shaped her world view and how she became the first Indigenous person to serve as a member of the Washington Governor’s Cabinet. She discusses tenacity, the power of kindness, and “quiet work” to achieve lasting change and secure our environmental rights.
