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 Greening Research in Tacoma project (or G.R.I.T.) is an effort to understand more about how human
health and increased greening intersect in South Tacoma. This unique collaboration of the Tacoma Tree
Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in Washington, the University of Washington, and the City of
Tacoma is funded by an award from the Puget Sound Partnership and a grant from the U.S. Forest
Service.
It has been 50 years since the Clean Water Act was passed and while substantial progress has been made for the health of waterways, people, and the planet there is still more work to do. Green infrastructure such as bioswales and rain gardens are one tool that can help the Puget Sound region support people and Salmon.
