Environment

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

 

Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring, left, speaks alongside Councilmember Jared Mead in 2023 at Western Washington University Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Panel discusses county’s proposed Critical Areas Regulations ordinance

The council has yet to announce the next public hearing and when it will decide the outcome of the proposed wetlands ordinance.

 

Perrinville Creek historically passed in between two concrete boxes before the city of Edmonds blocked the flow constrictor in 2020. (Joe Scordino)

Examiner to decide route of Perrinville Creek

Closing arguments were submitted last week in a hearing that could determine if the creek will be passable for salmon in the next three years.

 

David Austin English Roses (Image from Sunnyside Nursery website).

Where greenery thrives: The most delightful nurseries in Snohomish County

Looking to add life to your space? These nurseries have just what you need!

David Austin English Roses (Image from Sunnyside Nursery website).

Edmonds Climate Advisory Board releases new website

The community nonprofit works to empower Edmonds to reach its climate goals and provide environmental information to residents

Josie Humphries, 7, reacts to a trout darting to eat a worm during a field trip with classmates from The Clearwater School at the Northwest Stream Center on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Clearwater students experience watershed moment at Northwest Stream Center

The Everett facility provides environmental education focused on watershed and riparian health.

Josie Humphries, 7, reacts to a trout darting to eat a worm during a field trip with classmates from The Clearwater School at the Northwest Stream Center on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lands commissioner plans to keep working with feds

Dave Upthegrove expects to continue to work with U.S. Forest Service, after Trump’s latest executive orders aimed at boosting logging.

The Port of Everett is hosting Sail-In Cinema again this summer at Boxcar Park. (Port of Everett)
The Port of Everett is hosting Sail-In Cinema again this summer at Boxcar Park. (Port of Everett)
The Shoreline Historical Museum Miyawaki Urban Forest on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Sno-Isle Sierra Club hosts Miyawaki forest tour

The urban forest was inspired by a 1970s Japanese botanist and aims to combat community members’ climate change worries.

The Shoreline Historical Museum Miyawaki Urban Forest on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend, allowing birders of all ages to help create a… Continue reading

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this winter has been unusually sunny. The lack of lowland rain has also translated… Continue reading

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)

Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and give back to the community, the Deception Pass Park Foundation is accepting volunteers… Continue reading

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Snohomish River turns along the edge of the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Developers challenge Snohomish River Watershed legal rights

Opponents of the voter-approved initiative filed a complaint Tuesday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The Snohomish River turns along the edge of the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gordon Mawson, 5, left and Lenora Mawson, 7, right, look for ocean creatures during the Starlight Beach Walk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 near the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Starlight Beach Walk returns to Olympic Beach

During the day, the intertidal can be a magical and mysterious place, where critters come and go with the tides and slip in… Continue reading

Gordon Mawson, 5, left and Lenora Mawson, 7, right, look for ocean creatures during the Starlight Beach Walk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 near the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Dave Boehnlein greets Mrs. Pigglesworth of Midgarden Farms located at Rooted Northwest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Agriculture co-op village approved in rural Arlington

Rooted Northwest hopes to build a small village as part of a ‘trial run’ for a farm-focused neighborhood.

Dave Boehnlein greets Mrs. Pigglesworth of Midgarden Farms located at Rooted Northwest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bill Derry, president of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, at the Meadowdale Playfields on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Washington environmentalists respond to Trump’s rollbacks

County and state conservation and renewable energy groups plan to continue work during the new administration.

Bill Derry, president of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, at the Meadowdale Playfields on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A fully intact exoskeleton of a crab can been seen on Mukilteo Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Crabs at Mukilteo aren’t dead. They’re just molting

Washington Fish and Wildlife officials say crabs of certain size and sex tend to molt at the same time.

A fully intact exoskeleton of a crab can been seen on Mukilteo Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tom Murdoch gives public comment to the Snohomish County Council about his disagreement with the proposed wetland ordinance amendments on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County delays decision on changes to habitat ordinance

The delay comes after comments focused on proposed changes that would allow buffer reductions around critical areas.

Tom Murdoch gives public comment to the Snohomish County Council about his disagreement with the proposed wetland ordinance amendments on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A view of the Eastglen Wetlands that run through the Eastglen development on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Critics question proposed amendments to habitat ordinance

County council to consider amendments that would cut buffers around wetlands and streams up to half for development flexibility.

A view of the Eastglen Wetlands that run through the Eastglen development on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)