How to Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife rehabilitation is an incredibly important field, especially with the rise in urban development and the alarming effects of climate change. Between the increasing network of busy roads, growing light pollution, reflective windows of homes and other buildings,...
Wildlife Corridors and Crossings
For centuries, urban development has created literal barriers to important ecosystems and segmented habitats for wildlife. This is particularly true since the start of the automotive industry and the creation of a large network of roads and highways, a trend that's...
Elk of the Pacific Northwest
Elk are one of the largest species in the deer family; they are currently native to North America and eastern Asia but have been introduced to other parts of the world. In the Pacific Northwest, there are two elk subspecies: the Roosevelt elk and the Rocky Mountain...
Sea Otters.
Sea otters can be found along the coastal areas of the North Pacific Ocean and range from the shores of Japan to the coast of Alaska and all along the coast of North America down to Baja, California. These cute and wonderful creatures have captured the love of many...
Seagulls of the Pacific Northwest
The birds commonly known as seagulls are rather notorious birds, particularly to those living along the coasts of North America. As opportunistic feeders, gulls have been known to eat a variety of things, like aquatic creatures, unattended bird eggs, garbage, and...
What Are Feral Cats And TNR Programs?
Domestic cats have coexisted with humans for thousands of years in a mutually beneficial way. In fact, it's thought that it was that mutually beneficial relationship that lead to cats being domesticated! Mice and rats have long been attracted to the crops and...
A Murder of Crows and An Unkindness of Ravens
Found throughout North America in a range of ecosystems, American crows and common ravens are similarly-looking birds that are a part of the corvid family. These blackbirds do differ from each other in many ways, like their wingspan, beak curvature, and voice, but...
The Importance of Parks and Trees in Urban Areas
With the ever-present threat of the climate crisis, the restoration of ecosystems and protection of public lands and bodies of water is incredibly important. There are numerous health benefits and economic boosts to public parks, as folks living near parks report...
Bighorn Sheep of the Pacific Northwest
As the biggest wild sheep in North America, bighorn sheep have light brown coats, split hooves, and large horns that indicate their age. In the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountain bighorn is one of two subspecies in the area and can be found in the Rocky Mountain...
The Effects Of Wildfires
For the past few years, wildfires along the west coast of the US and Canada have been burning hotter, faster, and longer during the summer months. The National Interagency Fire Center, self-described as the country's support center for wildland firefighting, has a map...
Are Zoos Good or Bad? The Ethical Considerations of Keeping Wild Animals in Captivity.
In the Pacific Northwest, there are ten aquariums and zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (eleven if you include the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada). In addition to being open to the public (now with restrictions because of Covid-19), these parks...
Fishers of the Pacific Northwest
These elusive, forest-dwelling animals are agile and swift climbers. Fishers look similar to their relatives, the weasels and Pacific martens, but are much larger in size and have a darker coat. These carnivores are roughly the size of a house cat and weigh 4.4-13...
Sea Turtles of the Pacific Northwest
When I think of sea turtles, I think of more tropical waters, like off of the Hawaiian islands or in the Gulf of Mexico. This is for good reason, as sea turtles prefer the warm waters between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. In the western hemisphere, that area...
The Different Types of Orcas
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are an iconic marine mammal, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to having complex social structures, deep emotional connections, and incredible intelligence, these mammals are predators that feed on a variety of fish...
Five Ways You Can Help Pollinators
Like so much of the world, pollinators of all kinds are facing threats and declining populations. From rising global temperatures, habitat loss, pesticides, and so much more, these vital creatures are facing immense challenges. It seems utterly overwhelming but there...
The Problems For Pollinators
Pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, bats, and butterflies are all facing threats to their existence and many of their populations are on the decline. Between habitat loss, non-native and invasive species, modern agriculture, pesticides and herbicides, and climate...
How To Be A Beekeeper
For those who love bees and want to spend time with them, beekeeping can be a great hobby or even a profession! Humans have been keeping bees for roughly 9,000 years and collecting honey from wild bee colonies dates back even farther. For those with gardens or an...
Bats of the Pacific Northwest
Washington and Oregon are home to 15 different bat species and while these mammals are the primary carriers of rabies in the area, bats are an important part of an ecosystem and are vital pollinators too! These animals are the only flying mammals and like some other...
Pollinators of the Pacific Northwest
Largely unseen by humans, pollination helps both plants, pollinators, and people, making any and all pollinators incredibly valuable in any and all ecosystems they're a part of. Nearly 85% of all plants in the world need pollination to reproduce, and a significant...
Ways to Learn About Pollinators
Learning about pollinators is one great way to celebrate Pollinator week (or any time of the year!), as there is so much to learn about these fascinating and important creatures. There are films, podcasts, books, exhibits, smartphone apps, and distance learning...
Pollinator Week 2021: How to Support and Learn More About Pollinators
This week (June 21-27, 2021) is Pollinator Week! This annual event is celebrated all around the world as a way to learn about and support pollinators and their health. There are so many ways to get involved this week, like watching a relevant documentary, working in a...