Our neighbors Sound-under Soundside takes a deep dive into the waters around Washington to learn about some of our less appreciated neighbors. Because while they may be lesser-known, they have a lot to tell us about our ecosystems, and might even offer some innovative solutions to everyday problems. Libby Denkmann Noel Gasca Sarah Leibovitz Alec Cowan Play AudioListen 51 mins
A new program in Canada gives doctors the option of prescribing national park visits And the best part? The annual passes are free. Sharon Pruitt-Young
Snoqualmie Tribe's fight to hunt and gather. Now the Supreme Court will weigh in The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is in a battle with the state of Washington over hunting and gathering rights. In a recently filed petition, the tribe is asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that said the tribe is not entitled to hunt off reservation, on open unclaimed land managed by the state. Diana Opong Play AudioListen 2 mins
Wolverines are back in Washington ... but are they here to stay? Mount Rainier is not usually a winter trip. It’s common for over 60 feet of snow to fall on the mountain each winter. With that snow comes the threat of avalanches, hard to predict weather patterns, and, of course, just some really cold and uncomfortable days. But not for a wolverine. They need that snowy, cold weather, as well as a place that’s not jam packed with humans. And for the first time in over a century, they’re back. Zaki Barak Hamid Sarah Leibovitz Play AudioListen 21 mins
These artists climb mountains to help document climate change In order to study our local glaciers, researchers hike back into some of the most remote outreaches of our wilderness. But they're rarely going alone. Aside from research teams, these expeditions frequently include artists, and through painting, sketching and other mediums, these artists are working with scientists to communicate science in a way that isn't reliant on numbers or heady scientific explanations. Alec Cowan Play AudioListen 24 mins
It's peak hiking season in the PNW. But who takes care of all our trails? Washington state has more than 700 miles of hiking trails in it state parks alone, alongside hundreds more in its national parks and national forests. With so much room to roam, keeping up with trail maintenance is a daunting task, and organizations like the forest service are constantly fighting a backlog of trail maintenance. What goes into trail design and upkeep? And what happens when trails are left unattended? Libby Denkmann Alec Cowan Play AudioListen 23 mins
Sharing 'a life-sustaining energy,' exploring Seward Park with naturalist Ed Dominguez Since 2011, Ed Dominguez has been working at Seward Park's Audubon Environmental Learning Center in one capacity or another, and has been the Lead Naturalist since 2018. After a pandemic induced year long hiatus, the center is back open, and Ed is leading groups of budding birders and long time nature lovers through the park. Jason Burrows Play AudioListen 6 mins
Female hummingbirds are mimicking males to avoid aggression Male Humming birds are not as sweet as they seem. Female hummingbirds are disguising themselves to look like males to avoid aggression. But, male hummingbirds are "willing to mate with pretty much anything", so the undercover females are still finding a mate! Natalie Akane Newcomb Play AudioListen 2 mins
Hear it again: How dramatic pandemic shifts affected Northwest birds While we were cooped up in Covid lockdowns, birds in the cities and suburbs of the Pacific Northwest were spreading their wings! And in a new University of Washington paper, ornithologists suggest that birds like crows, hummingbirds, finches, and chickadees were using a wider variety of public spaces during the early days of the pandemic. Olivia Sanderfoot was the lead researcher on the study. Jason Burrows Libby Denkmann Play AudioListen 15 mins
See the buzzworthy winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition This year's top prizes went to a teen from Thailand and an American who is just the fifth woman to win in 58 years. Karine Aigner spoke with NPR about the significance of the photo and the award. Estefania Mitre Rachel Treisman
