Olympia Ecosystems

This June marks the 18th annual celebration of Orca Month in Washington state and the eighth annual celebration in Oregon and British Columbia. Members of the Orca Salmon Alliance (OSA) are hosting events throughout the month to educate the public about the Southern Resident orca population and the challenges they face, including reduced Chinook salmon numbers, pollutants in the water, higher risk for oil spills, and noise and disturbance.

Events | Orca Action Month Celebrate the iconic Southern Resident orcas throughout the month of June. Choose from events and activities — coordinated by the OrcaSalmon Alliance and partners — that bring together researchers, conservation organizations, orca lovers, and elected officials, and inspire action and advocacy ef...

Olympia Ecosystems' May Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/olyecosystems/may-24-update

If you are like me, you have often wondered why it is still possible for English ivy to be sold in Western Washington. This is an invasive plant that has wrecked whole forest ecosystems in the Puget Sound region.

Well, now there is something that you can do about it. Please join the Black Hills Audubon Society by signing a petition to block the sale of ivy:

Stop the Sale of Ivy – Black Hills Audubon Society You can help the drive to stop selling Ivy by signing BEFORE MAY 20 the petition at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-selling-english-ivy-in-washington/

Here's a great way for you to help Olympia Ecosystems! If you are a BECU member, you can nominate us to qualify to apply for support of up to $50K. Details can be found at the link below. The decline for applications is May 10th - just 10 days away. The nomination process is easy.

Our EIN # is 47-1745539

2024 People Helping People Awards | BECU Nominate your favorite nonprofit for up to $50K in grant funds before the May 10 deadline.

Olympia Ecosystems' April Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/olyecosystems/april-24-update

May 2nd, 6 p.m. at Browsers Bookshop in Olympia, WA.

Join Kirk Hanson of the Northwest Natural Resource Group for a reading from his new book, entitled "A Forest of Your Own - The Pacific Northwest Handbook of Ecological Forestry"

https://mailchi.mp/nnrg/join-us-at-tomorrow-evenings-fireside-chat-13749759?e=baa150679c

https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/olympia-ecosystems-west-bay-woods/281-debdd297-1205-4215-afb2-d975ac3d9782

Olympia neighbors are securing a rare victory for the planet Olympia Ecosystems is reclaiming urban forests and wetlands.

South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group is holding their annual meeting.

(minor detail correction) SPSSEG Annual Meeting May 9th 5:45pm DETAILS!!! Please join us for an amazing evening to celebrate SPSSEG's salmon restoration and education projects from 2023, enjoy complementary food, listen to live music from SwayCool, perhaps partake in the beer & wine available, and help release our trout fry.

Over the past two years, older forests managed by Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources have received increased attention as thousands of those acres have been auctioned for timber sale by the Board of Natural Resources—the state agency that sells timber to fund Washington counties, junior tax districts, schools, penitentiaries, government administration, and other services. Local environmental groups in Thurston, Whatcom, Clallam, King, Mason, and other WA counties have earmarked those forests as Legacy Forests, critical for forestalling ecological and climate collapse. This comes during a time during which the Biden administration has called for a national inventory and protection policy for mature stands of forests on public lands.

Forest Stories — Old Grove Films FOREST STORIESan episodic journey into the heart of the great pacific northwest rainforests WATCH EPISODE 1 NOWLIVING LEGACIESOver the past two years, older forests managed by Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources have received increased attention as thousands of those acres have been...

March Update - https://mailchi.mp/olyecosystems/february-24-update-8254303

It is no exaggeration to say that our conservation efforts owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Angela Bowen. If you are interested in knowing something about this great Olympian, check out the video made for the Distinguished Leaders Award.

2024 Distinguished Leader Awards, The Legacy of Dr. Angela J. Bowen Hosted by Leadership Thurston County

Josh Rosenthal of Echo's Tree Service volunteered his services at Copper Crest to remove snags left from last year's clearcut that hung over the trails. It was fun to watch him solve the puzzle. Many Thanks to Josh.

Comment on Thurston County Land Use

Private interests are trying to convert rural land to industrial zones. The way we can fight the conversion of rural lands is to oppose amendments that are on the docket.

Detailed research on docket:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mYddAFvDavj12Tm2xtsef-dlPh8udjd0fluNDcOzemA/edit

Landowners and special interest groups ask for amendments to the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan, these amendments are placed on a docket. Usually, they want the County to make an exception to current zoning to do something with the property that is not currently allowed.

See what others have written:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/stories/SM-pPf4SWQ2_2FPxBsw1Sr5pWtg_3D_3D/

Action: This action will take some time. You can start, stop, and return until the deadline on March 14.

Use the comments for the Thurston 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update and Code Amendments (shown in the list below) to state your vision for Thurston.

Click on this form to take the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8TJWVV9

After picking the area you live in, you are offered these options to comment on. Copy and paste the bulleted suggested comment into the survey or add your own comments.

Ag Policies & Program Review - LTA Zoning Update
Please implement good farmland protection and do not combine rural/agriculture zones with industrial development.

BAR Holdings UGA Swap, Land Use Amendment, and Rezone
Please oppose this amendment. Preserve rural character and do not replace rural zoning with industrial.

Beaver Creek Land Use Amendment and Rezone
Please oppose this amendment. Making a single sale of all parcels will hurt rural character and destroy habitat for the Oregon spotted frog and the pocket gopher.

Black Lake Quarry Land Use Amendment, Rezone and Code Changes
Please oppose this amendment. Rural land would be lost to industrial use. The current zoning will protect environmentally sensitive and hazardous areas.

Capital Improvement Program
Invest in infrastructure for quality of life: clean water, transportation (including pedestrian and bike paths), parks and open space, and public facilities.

Grand Mound East Jackson Land Use Amendment and Rezone
Please oppose this amendment. Rural land would be lost to industrial use.

Grand Mound East - Deskins Land Use Amendment and Rezone
Please oppose this amendment. The Urban Growth Management subcommittee has reviewed the item and recommended not moving forward with the UGA expansion and subsequent rezone.
Grand Mound West UGA Expansion Land Use Amendment and Rezones

Please approve this amendment. Because the area can now be zoned Urban Growth Area (UGA), per the expansion committee, it is a proper place to have industrial land. You want industry in a city or UGA where it is close to transportation and is served by sewer and water.

Martin Way Land Use Amendment and Rezone in Lacey UGA
Please oppose this amendment. Do not change the zoning from low density to - Mixed Use High Density Corridor (MHDC). The existing zoning is incompatible with a high density corridor that Martin Way has become. It is not suitable for low density housing among all the commercial uses around that area. This spot really should be part of Lacey, not a Urban Growth Area (UGA).

Nisqually Subarea Plan
This is an update of the original plan from the last century. The revision needs to commit to support of the protected agriculture land in the subarea and protect the Nisqually River. It is time to update the vision and goals with those two ideas in mind.
Port of Tacoma Land Use Amendment, Rezone, and Code Changes

Please oppose this amendment. This land is for sensitive or hazardous areas and is not appropriate for industrial use. In 2020 over seven hundred community members previously opposed this amendment.

Scott Land Use Amendment and Rezone
Please oppose this amendment. This sensitive area near the Black River should only be rezoned to more intensive housing if the original rezone was inaccurate as demonstrated by the landowner.

Thurston 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update and Code Amendments

Protect long term agriculture land. Protect clean water and trees.
UP Castle Land Use Amendment, Rezone, and Code Changes
Please oppose this amendment. This land has historically been farmland and it is too far away from a major roadway to be allowed for industrial zoning.

Comprehensive Plan Docket 2024-2025 Update - Public Comment Form Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Oppose the rezone.

The Bar Holdings proposed development would pave over 33 acres of forestland at the corner of 93rd Ave SE and Old Highway 99

Send your comments to Thurston County. Say you’re opposing Bar Holdings UGA Swap on the Comprehensive Plan Docket
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8TJWVV9

February Update - https://mailchi.mp/olyecosystems/february-24-update

Only one more week to take our public survey or share this post!

We would like to reach out to our community, particularly our donors, volunteers, and others concerned about our urban environment, to help us hone the strategic planning that will guide our conservation efforts in future years. Help us understand more about who you are and what your priorities are. Please take ten minutes to complete this short survey. To reach the survey, please go to:

https://qualtricsxmy2n7vq84j.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6xI92NCDb8E96bs

After Shutting Down, These Golf Courses Went Wild.

After Shutting Down, These Golf Courses Went Wild (Gift Article) Most defunct golf courses get paved over, but a number are getting transformed into ecological life rafts for wildlife, plants — and people.

Take the Survey! We would like to reach out to our community, particularly our donors, volunteers, and others concerned about our urban environment, to help us hone the strategic planning that will guide our conservation efforts in future years. Help us understand more about who you are and what your priorities are. Please take five minutes to complete this short survey. To reach the survey, please go to:

http://tinyurl.com/OlyEcosystemsSurvey

Olympia Ecosystems OlyEcosystems is an urban conservation organization whose focus is the preservation and restoration

It is important that we maintain and enhance habitat connectivity. Many species rely on migration and will not survive without the ability to roam. Please consider voicing your support for this bill.

URGENT: Support safe passages for WA wildlife and humans today! Did you know that vehicle collisions kill over 5,000 deer and elk, numerous black bears and cougars, and tens of thousands of small mammals and amphibians in Washington state annually? Collisions with deer and elk alone cost Washington residents over $74 million per year in medical treatment, vehicl...

End of Year Accomplishments and Vision for the New Year - https://mailchi.mp/olyecosystems/end-of-year

Beautiful January morning at Cooper Crest Preserve. The native trees and shrubs planted in ‘22 and ‘23 at this previously clear-cut site are doing well in the cold weather!

MLK Jr. Day Planting Party Cancelled

Every year, Olympia Ecosystems celebrates MLK Jr. Day with a day of planting. However, this weekend we are experiencing an unprecedented cold snap and the ground is frozen solid. Planting under these conditions would not only be difficult and uncomfortable, but also hard on the plants. Therefore, with regret, we are cancelling this year’s MLK Jr. Day event.

Please consider volunteering your time to another community event instead.

Since we still have many plants to put in the ground and we look forward every year to joining the community in revitalizing our local ecosystems, we have decided to hold an alternate planting event in February.

MLK Day Planting Event to be Rescheduled - https://mailchi.mp/c4c77888b0ff/may-work-party-in-the-west-bay-woods-6162672

Olympia Ecosystems OlyEcosystems is an urban conservation organization whose focus is the preservation and restoration

Here's a jolly (with English accent) video on rewinding rivers that includes famous artwork. It's a fun watch and it makes a good introduction to the idea of reconnecting floodplains.

Why rivers shouldn't look like this | It's Complicated The quintessential image of a river you might recognise from post cards and paintings – nice and straight with a tidy riverbank – is not actually how it is s...

End of Year newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/9f6ef133ffd7/may-work-party-in-the-west-bay-woods-6161072

OlyEcosystems – Protect – Preserve – Restore Founded in 2014 and powered by community support, OlyEcosystems has protected and restored 413 acres in and around Olympia and the Deschutes River. And the work continues.

Staircase #2 at Cooper Crest is elegantly wrapped into the woods. Thanks to Megan Lowry's WCC crew and the incomparable Bob Barnes.

Here's Roman's WCC crew out of Tacoma on their massive ivy pile at Stormwater park North in the West Bay Woods. Bean, the mascot looks on.

November/December Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/f560baeb6878/may-work-party-in-the-west-bay-woods-6157796

Olympia Ecosystems OlyEcosystems is an urban conservation organization whose focus is the preservation and restoration

Give Local closed on Friday and by Wednesday morning the stairs were done! Thank you for your support. You make all this possible.