Tagged: environment

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Tree Roots Revealed
8:57 am
Thu May 30, 2013

Scientists Peek Into The Hidden World Of Tree Roots

When you think of a tree, you probably think of the trunk and all those parts you see above ground. But there’s a whole lot more going on under the soil than meets the eye. Scientists are now digging into the hidden world of tree roots in an effort to illuminate some unexplained mysteries.

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Federal Sequester Budget Slash
12:02 pm
Wed May 29, 2013

How Will Federal Budget Cuts Affect Forest Firefighting In Washington State This Season?

Credit Flickr Photo/US Department of Agriculture

 State officials are predicting another challenging wildfire season this year. Fighting those fires may be more difficult due to the federal sequester, which slashed nearly 8 percent from the Forest Service’s budget. Ross Reynolds interviews Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark.

Song From A Spruce
7:50 am
Wed May 29, 2013

Carving Music Out Of Northwest Trees

Credit Courtesy of Pacific Rim Tonewoods
Tonewood logs on their way to Pacific Rim Tonewoods.

Before it ever made music, this guitar was a tree. Or more precisely, it was several trees. When you listen to a guitar like this, you may think you’re hearing the strings. But, you’re not. The strings themselves make very little sound. For the most part, you’re hearing the vibration of wood itself. It takes a special kind of wood to give an instrument its unique voice. It’s called tonewood – and the Northwest is home to some of the most prized varieties in the world.

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Habitat Protection
10:26 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Federal Protection For Bladderpod Plant Pushed Back

Originally published on Thu May 23, 2013 4:34 pm

The federal government has pushed back the possible threatened listing of two rare plants that could affect farmers in southeast Washington. Umtanum desert buckwheat and the White Bluffs bladderpod have become very controversial, because part of the plants’ habitat spans valuable crop ground.

It’s a big topic of conversation at the Country Mercantile restaurant where many Franklin County farmers lunch. Ami MacHugh is an area cherry and horse farmer whose land could be affected by the possible federal protections.

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Turning To Public For Help
7:22 am
Thu May 23, 2013

Crowdfunding Coal Science In Pacific Northwest

Credit Katie Campbell / Earthfix
Dan Jaffe, UW-Bothell professor, is using crowdfunding to raise money to study how passing coal trains impact air quality.

Crowdfunding campaigns are popular ways to raise money for fledgling businesses and independent projects — and now scientific research. As state and federal agencies begin the environmental review process for the largest coal export terminals on the West Coast, some scientists are turning to the public for help with research of their own.

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