Environment

The Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning has a hotline at 1-855-GO-GRIZZ to report grizzly bear sightings. (Joe Lieb/US Fish and Wildlife Service via Associated Press)

Snohomish County partners with feds on North Cascades grizzly plan

The County Council approved an agreement under which local officials will provide input on any plan to reintroduce grizzly bears.

The Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning has a hotline at 1-855-GO-GRIZZ to report grizzly bear sightings. (Joe Lieb/US Fish and Wildlife Service via Associated Press)
The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Accused of being bad neighbor, Everett mining company applies for permit

Mountain Loop Mine has operated next door to Fairmount Elementary without proper permits for months. Teachers are fed up.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chris Mills, left, and Fermin Lopez, right, smile and talk with a customer at Earth & Ocean on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bring the steakhouse home with this Mukilteo shop’s restaurant-quality cuts

To keep home chefs salivating, Earth and Ocean sources premium seafood, steak and more with an eye for freshness and quality.

Chris Mills, left, and Fermin Lopez, right, smile and talk with a customer at Earth & Ocean on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mt. Pilchuck covered in snow is barely visible through the clouds as the sun breaks through illuminating raindrops as they fall off of the Mountain Loop Highway on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Warm winter melts meager snowpack in Cascades, with far-reaching effects

Snowfall in the Cascade Range has been low — and what has fallen has been melting fast. That could spell trouble down the road.

Mt. Pilchuck covered in snow is barely visible through the clouds as the sun breaks through illuminating raindrops as they fall off of the Mountain Loop Highway on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People 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)

Sea-stargazers explore low tide nightlife on Edmonds’ Olympic Beach

Over 100 visitors searched for anemones and chitons Tuesday. Volunteers said the event sparks “enthusiasm for the natural world.”

People 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)
Gov. Jay Inslee asks a question during a presentation and overview of Cascade Industrial Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘It’s just starting’: Inslee champions climate initiatives in Marysville

The Climate Commitment Act funds electric vehicle charging stations and other projects. Inslee is defending against an effort to repeal it.

Gov. Jay Inslee asks a question during a presentation and overview of Cascade Industrial Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People fish from the pier, hold hands on the beach and steer a swamped canoe in the water as the sun sets on another day at Kayak Point on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County announces date for Kayak Point reopening

Visitors will have access to the park’s new boat launch July 1, but not the fishing pier. Kayak Point will close again Oct. 15.

People fish from the pier, hold hands on the beach and steer a swamped canoe in the water as the sun sets on another day at Kayak Point on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Items are sorted for recycling inside the Waste Management Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

10 cents per bottle: Recycling companies have mixed views on proposal

A new bill cosponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, could give Washingtonians refunds for glass and plastic, to boost recycling.

Items are sorted for recycling inside the Waste Management Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Laura Han (center), of Lynnwood, and Derek Arterburn (right), of Everett, use the glow of a flashlight to look for marine life during a beach walk after dark in Edmonds Feb. 7 2017. (Ian Terry / The Herald file)

Volunteers to lead starlight walk at Olympic Beach in Edmonds

Guides will identify species at low tide Feb. 6. Visitors can expect to see anemones, sea stars and crabs.

Laura Han (center), of Lynnwood, and Derek Arterburn (right), of Everett, use the glow of a flashlight to look for marine life during a beach walk after dark in Edmonds Feb. 7 2017. (Ian Terry / The Herald file)
Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In child care desert, Camano’s pioneering forest school faces shutdown

Island County Public Works abruptly banned a school from a nature preserve, its cofounders said. Parents are outraged and aghast.

Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Signs announcing construction at Kayak Point Regional County Park in Stanwood, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish County hopes to reopen popular Kayak Point by summer

So far, contractors have built a new boat launch and parking area. Construction of a new fishing pier is set for summer.

Signs announcing construction at Kayak Point Regional County Park in Stanwood, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Ducks sit on a piece of wood at Spencer Island in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

In Everett wetlands, hunters and birdwatchers navigate a shared space

Restricted recreation areas can sometimes cause conflict. “We’re all birders,” said Tom Elliott, a Washington Waterfowl Association member.

Ducks sit on a piece of wood at Spencer Island in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
People look out onto Mountain Loop Mine from the second floor hallway of Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Black snot, headaches: Students suffer next door to Everett mining yard

Mountain Loop Mine’s Everett facility has operated without a proper permit for months, mere feet from Fairmount Elementary’s portables.

People look out onto Mountain Loop Mine from the second floor hallway of Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Volunteers break down and collect styrofoam during a recycling event at 1049 State Ave in Marysville, Washington on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Volunteers trim trees, holiday trash at recycling event in Marysville

Locals dropped off styrofoam and Christmas trees on Saturday. The event helped repurpose items not allowed in recycling bins.

Volunteers break down and collect styrofoam during a recycling event at 1049 State Ave in Marysville, Washington on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Items are sorted for recycling inside the Waste Management Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Legislators want to boost state’s recycling rate, but they disagree on how

Two recycling bills are on the state’s upcoming legislative agenda. One could change who pays for curbside recycling.

Items are sorted for recycling inside the Waste Management Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A derelict boat seen in Union Slough on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘My river’: Locals take it upon themselves to clean up the Snohomish

Pollution in the Snohomish River isn’t new. But out of love for the waterway, residents and rowers serve as environmental stewards.

A derelict boat seen in Union Slough on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of Washington state.

Gasoline pipeline leaks in Skagit County, spilling into creek

The Olympic Pipeline leaked on the north side of Highway 534 just north of the Snohomish County line, closing part of the highway.

NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of Washington state.
A person sits and looks out at Mt. Index in Index, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Near Mt. Index, Forterra secures key piece in conservation puzzle

The nonprofit has been acquiring land in the region for decades. Now the project is complete, with funding from the county.

A person sits and looks out at Mt. Index in Index, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Clark Wood, right, starts repairs on a record player brought in to the Repair Cafe on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Fixers from Sustainable Community Stewards divert waste from landfills

Volunteers in the group lead “Repair Cafes” and other sustainability events to educate and engage with the community.

Clark Wood, right, starts repairs on a record player brought in to the Repair Cafe on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Darrington Elementary School fourth grader Brayden Parris, 9, fills up his cup with chocolate milk from one of the schools new milk dispenser during lunch on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Darrington school reduces lunchroom waste with new milk dispensers

Milk cartons generally aren’t accepted by recycling centers in Snohomish County. Dispensers could be a solution. And they save milk too.

Darrington Elementary School fourth grader Brayden Parris, 9, fills up his cup with chocolate milk from one of the schools new milk dispenser during lunch on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)