The Endangered Species Committee

The “God Squad” met recently. What happened and what does it mean?

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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...
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Behind the Breed: Cairn Terriers

Cairn Terriers are small but mighty dogs with lots of energy and personality!

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Adopting and Interacting with Wildlife.

The Pacific Northwest is home to a wide array of wild animals and there are plenty of organizations dedicated to helping them. Interacting with wildlife can be a tricky endeavor in the wild; selfies with wildlife have caused injuries and even death on a few occasions,...
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So You Think You Want A Puppy.

Puppies are, at least in my opinion, the cutest heckin' things. They're tiny and often fluffy and still figuring out how to exist in the world, which can be quite cute on occasion. While there are many great things about puppies, they're a whole lot of work and can be...
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Behind the Breed: Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers have been a popular breed for about a century now. Their tuxedo-like markings and affectionate, gentle personalities have earned them the nickname 'American Gentlemen', despite being initially bred to be fighting dogs. These dogs are relatively small,...
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Farm Sanctuaries of the Pacific Northwest.

After Shasta died, my neighbor and I had a conversation about what we should do with the sheep. We knew that they would have the best life with another flock and without their guardian llama at the property, it was going to be best if they went to another property. My...
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Otters of the Pacific Northwest.

The Pacific Northwest is home to an array of amazing and wonderful animals. Southern Resident and transient orcas and California Gray Whales frequent many parts of the Salish Sea and the waters off the coast; the largest unmanaged Roosevelt Elk herd is found in the...
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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...
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Why Does My Cat Chirp And Chatter At Birds?

For owners of domestic cats, it's well known that our feline friends make a whole lot of noises throughout their life. Over the thousands of years they evolved and became domesticated, house cats learned that, in addition to other forms of communication, "speaking" is...
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Animals of the Pacific Northwest is an online project dedicated to animal welfare, humane education, environmental justice, wildlife conservation, and the animals and their fans that call the Pacific Northwest home.

The Pacific Northwest is home to many different habitats, flora and fauna species, communities, and domestic animals. In this region, you can find mountain goats, grizzly bears, transient and resident orcas, northwestern salamanders, western pond turtles, red foxes, grey wolves, long-tailed weasels, cougars, bobcats, and so much more. Domestic animals also call this place home as well and have existed with humans for thousands of years. Dogs, cats, horses, chickens, sheep, and more have had a huge impact both on human life and the environment in this region.

Where is the Pacific Northwest?

Also known as Cascadia, this ecoregion is found in western North America and the northeastern Pacific Ocean. There aren’t exact boundaries for the region but generally, it includes the Salish Sea, US states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho plus the Canadian province of British Columbia. Broader maps include southeastern Alaska, western Montana, and northern California.

The Salish Sea

This inland sea is a vital part of Washington and British Columbia – for economic, cultural, and biodiversity reasons. It stretches from Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound up to Desolation Sound north of the Strait of Georgia. The Salish Sea covers almost 17,000 square kilometers and is protected by Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula. There are more than 4,600 kilometers of coastline, 37 mammal species, 172 bird species, 253 fish species, 3,000 invertebrate species, and more than 8 million humans.

The name for this sea comes from the Coast Salish peoples, the indigenous communities that have called the Salish Sea and surrounding land home for time immemorial, like the Lummi (Lhaq’temish), Cowlitz, Puyallup, Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), and Tulalip peoples. Many of the names for places in the Pacific Northwest are names for tribes or come from Coast Salish languages.

Beavers

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...

Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniels are relatively rare dogs that make great family companions, hiking companions, and/or watch dogs. This breed has a big dog personality in a smaller package, usually weighing 25-45 pounds, and despite the spaniel name, the AWS is more like a...

Pigeons And Doves

Pigeons And Doves

Pigeons can often be gravely misunderstood while doves are considered signs of peace and tranquility. But these birds have a lot in common.

Behind the Breed: Bearded Collies

Behind the Breed: Bearded Collies

The Bearded Collie is a happy, bouncy breed that looks very similar to the Old English Sheepdog. Both breeds are in the herding group and can be hard to tell apart from a distance. But Beardies, as they’re also known, have a long tail, several different coat colors, a...

Cat Safe House Plants

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...

📍 The Pacific Northwest has been home to numerous indigenous peoples for time immemorial. To learn more about the land you occupy, visit Native-Land.ca