Puffins of the Pacific Northwest
Puffins are an easily recognizable species and because of their iconic looks, are often called parrots of the sea or even sea clowns. These birds live their entire lives near or on the sea in the Northern Hemisphere. Technically speaking, there are four species:...
Enjoying The Great Outdoors
It is finally summer here in the Pacific Northwest (more or less!), which means nice weather and plenty of chances to enjoy the nature all around us. The Pacific Northwest is blessed with a range of different environments; there are lakes, rivers, forests, sagelands,...
The Oregon Spotted Frog
In addition to all the other animals that call the Pacific Northwest home, there are several species of frogs that also live in the region! One such species is the Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa), which is found in different areas of the northwest. They can be...
Mountain Lions of North America
Also known as pumas, mountain lions, and catamounts, cougars are adaptable predators and the world’s fourth largest wildcat following lions, tigers, and jaguars. Cougars are relatively solitary animals but despite living mostly alone, these cats still have complex...
City Nature Challenge: April 28th to May 1st, 2023
Spend time in nature and become a citizen scientist this weekend – April 28 to May 1, 2023!
Earth Day 2023
Happy Earth Day!
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch may be a familiar term to some, especially to those who care about oceans and marine life.
Tokitae The Orca Is Coming Home!
As the oldest captive orca, Tokitae is the last killer whale still alive after being captured in the 1970s from the Salish Sea in Washington and British Columbia.
How wildlife tourism can harm animals
How is our search for a unique experience harming the very animals we claim to love?
How To Become An Animal Control Officer
Life has an animal control officer can be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. But it’s also difficult, both emotionally and physically. Are you interested in the field?
Beavers
This unassuming, semiaquatic rodent is seen as a nuisance by some but in reality, beavers are significant players in the health of ecosystems and are even vital in stopping wildfires. In addition to providing habitat and a source of water, the ponds and wetlands that...
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Visiting Northwest Trek, a 700+ acre park in Washington, is magical. Learn more!
Cat Safe House Plants
After years of not having cats, I forgot that they love to, at the very least, try eating plants. So when my two little rescue cats were old enough, they definitely started eating the house plants I had around the house! I do not have much of a green thumb so the fact...
American Bison
American Bison once had a population of thirty to sixty million across North America. What happened to these iconic animals and where can you see them today?
How To Become A Zookeeper
There are many different ways to have a career working with animals. One such way? Becoming a zookeeper! Keeping wild animals in zoos has a long and controversial history (and the dehumanizing and incredibly racist trend of keeping people in zoos around the turn of...
Pygmy Rabbits of the Pacific Northwest
Did you know that there is a critically endangered rabbit species living in the Columbia Basin region of Washington state? The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits are a subpopulation of the smallest rabbit species in North America and their numbers have drastically declined over the centuries.
Wildlife in the Winter
Winter is a cold, dark season in the Northern Hemisphere. How do wild animals survive during this time of year?
The Importance of Healthy Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
Living in the Pacific Northwest means living with a certain amount of water, particularly rain. November through January are especially wet but average rainfalls do depend on where in the northwest you happen to be. The Great Bear Rainforest and Hoh Rainforest, for...
Giving Tuesday 2021
It’s #GivingTuesday! Here are some wonderful animal welfare and conservation related nonprofits you can support.
Pinnipeds of the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is lucky enough to be home to a truly wide array of animals and one such group is the pinniped. These aquatic animals are primarily marine mammals like seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walruses. In the Salish Sea, we're lucky enough to have...
Conservation Dogs: How Dogs Use Their Sense of Smell to Help Endangered Species
Dogs are incredible animals. With a heightened sense of smell and millennia of artificial selection, there are so many jobs that dogs can do and one important one is as a conservation canine. This work involves dogs being trained to detect organic and inorganic...