Here’s a thought…
“The competition between Nature and the economy is deep and broad.
In the short term, the economy usually wins. In the long term …?”
BILL APPEL
Orcas Island Garden Club presents Growing Anemones, Ranunculus, and Peonies by Anne Long
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| LEARN FROM FLOWER FARMER, EDUCATOR, AND OWNER! Wednesday, October 15th, 10 am (at the Fire Station in Orcas) NEW! Join us for coffee and social time at 9:30
Rosario Strait tidal energy project update from OPALCO
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| September 30, 2025 was the last day to make public comments on the Rosario Tidal Energy Project as part of the public process with
All beaches in San Juan County closed to recreational shellfish harvesting
DOH has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational shellfish
Letter to Editor | Will County Council stand by its proclamation on rights of southern residents?
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| Dear Council Members, In 2023, this body took a forward-thinking step by passing the Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas. In it, you recognized that these beings have
News Brief | Marine experts save sea lion from plastic strap around neck
||| FROM KING-5 TV||| "A collaborative effort by marine experts saved this sea lion, but they say this is just one example of a big problem.” ORIGINALLY FROM KING-5 TV "The sea lion was spotted
CWR encounters J and L Pod off San Juan Island
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:43 AM ObservEnd: 04:01 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond, Alex Smit Pods: Southern Resident:
Two Orcas Island Land Bank preserves are now re-open
Thank you for your patience during our temporary closures! ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Conservation Land Bank is glad to announce that Crescent Beach and Turtleback Mountain preserves are once again open
Time to Batten Down the Hatches | Preparing your vessel for fall and winter
Have you prepared your boat for fall? ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| “We all want hold onto the last boating days of summer, but in doing so we get caught off guard when
Orcas Center commissions microgrid, securing community resilience
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center has completed commissioning of a landmark solar and battery storage microgrid, establishing the island’s performing arts and community hub as a long-term resilience center
No Place Like Loam | Growing figs in the Pacific Northwest
||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO WOLF ||| Why Figs Work Here Figs (Ficus carica) are among the most drought-tolerant fruit crops. In their native Mediterranean range they’re often dry-farmed—and while most cultivars
Center for Whale Research update on J42 and J64
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On September 23, CWR researchers were finally able catch up with J pod in Georgia Strait for a photo-ID encounter. During that encounter, we were thrilled to get
Whale Museum announces new Salish Sea Explorer Kit Program
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum and The Salish Sea School are partnering to launch new, exciting take-home kits for educators, parents, and community organizers! These new Salish Sea
Grand re-opening of two Orcas Island preserves
Thank you for your patience during our temporary closures! ||| FROM CONSERVATION LAND BANK ||| The Conservation Land Bank is glad to announce the re-opening of Crescent Beach and Turtleback Mountain preserves this week, and
Latest from Lekanoff | Strengthening schools, infrastructure, indigenous voices
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we welcome the turning of the seasons, I’m reminded how resilience lives in the everyday work of our communities. From harvest fields to salmon streams,
Southern residents return to the Salish Sea
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:40 AM ObservEnd: 03:14 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Darren Croft Other Observers: Taylor Redmond, Rachel John Pods: L Pod
