Red columbine (Aquilegia formosa). Photo: DNR
Red columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is one of the many plants we celebrate during Native Plant Appreciation Week in Washington state, April 28 – May 4, 2013. Find out about Native Plant Appreciation Week events on the Washington Native Plant Society website or visit DNR DNR on Facebook.
DNR conservation and restoration efforts, include the Natural Heritage Program and the Natural Areas Program.
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Children learned proper tree planting techniques at Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, April 25, in Olympia. Photo: Jessica Payne/DNR.
Here are links to articles about natural resources, climate, energy and other topics published recently by universities, scientific journals, organizations, and other sources:
environment360: Fires Burn More Fiercely As Northern Forests Warm
From North America to Siberia, rising temperatures and drier woodlands are leading to a longer burning season and a significant increase in forest fires. Scientists warn that this trend is expected to continue in the years ahead.
American Geophysical Union: Wildfires can burn hot without ruining soil, new study finds
A fiery test on a 22-acre watershed in Portugal found that the hotter the fire—and the denser the vegetation feeding the flames—the less the underlying soil heated up, an inverse effect which runs contrary to previous studies and conventional wisdom
Florida International University: Researchers uncover mystery of charcoal’s fate
US and European researchers have established that black carbon, or biochar—most of it produced by wildfires and other biomass combustion—doesn’t stay in the soil indefinitely. Each year, around 27 million tons of it is transported to the sea by rivers and thus enters the carbon cycle.
American Geophysical Union: Scientists detect dark lightning linked to visible lightning
Dark lightning—the most energetic radiation produced naturally on Earth—was unknown before 1991. Scientists now know that these bursts of gamma rays occur in thunderstorms; next is figuring out ‘why.”
Soil Science Society of America: Study finds that residential lawns release more carbon dioxide than corn fields
A new study finds that more carbon dioxide is released from residential lawns than corn fields. Although the difference is attributable to higher soil temperatures in urbanized areas compared with agricultural lands, the implication is that even small urban ‘heat islands’ have an impact on carbon dioxide release amounts.
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Photo of wildflowers at Lacamas Prairie. Photo: Carlo Abbruzzese, DNR.
Today kicks off Native Plant Appreciation Week in Washington, and as spring brings the landscape to life around us, it’s a great time to celebrate Washington’s diverse ecosystem. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting events across the state.
April 27 — A native plant walk at the Lacamas Prairie Natural Area Preserve (near Camas) is scheduled for anyone interested in an informative tour of some of Washington’s native flora.
April 27 — Celebrate native plants with a nature hike at West Tiger Mountain (near Issaquah)
May 4 — Wildflower Hike at Columbia Hills State Park. Join DNR staff and State Park staff for a hike around Columbia Hills State Park.
Find out more about Native Plant Appreciation Week Read the rest of this entry »
Kids had the chance to meet Smokey Bear at DNR’s Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® Day event. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne
Yesterday the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrated Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® Day with the children of state employees.
This year, the Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® Foundation partnered with the National Association of State Foresters to introduce children to careers in forestry. Almost a hundred kids came out to learn about the jobs we do at DNR, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Department of Agriculture.
For half a day, the Natural Resources Building here in Olympia was transformed into an education fair featuring trees, bugs, and geodes. Kids had an opportunity to learn how foresters work in the woods and try to stump the forester with their questions. They got up close with bugs while learning about forest health from one of DNR’s entomologists.
This little girl is proud to show off a sparkly geode at the Washington Geology Library exhibit for the event. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne
At the Washington Geology Library, children learned the life-cycle of a rock and identified special rocks, from geodes to the Washington state gem:petrified wood. Many kids put their directional skills to the test by learning to use a compass and trying to complete the orienteering course mapped out by DNR’s recreation staff. They were given a noble fir seedling from DNR’s Webster Nursery and practiced proper planting with the Washington Conservation Corps Urban Forestry team.
These little girls got to get an up close look at the bugs that affect the health of Washington’s trees. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne
Participants also learned how Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists make maps and use technology to help DNR teams fight wildland fires.
They also experienced what it’s like to be a DNR firefighter by meeting some of the team, trying on personal protective equipment, and meeting Smokey Bear, who paid a special visit. Even Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark came down to meet the children, thank the volunteers, and snap a quick photo with Smokey.
View photos from the event on our Flickr page here.
DNR is happy to have had the opportunity to recruit our future generations of state land managers. If you are interested in finding out about the several types of careers that DNR has to offer, visit our jobs page and apply to work with DNR today.
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Healthy trees have endless benefits for cities.
Today is National Arbor Day, and it’s a great time to think about the care and maintenance of trees around you. Are the trees in your yard healthy? Are the trees in your community healthy? The benefits that trees give us are endless.
Rain refreshes the land and nourishes the green landscape. But as houses, stores, schools, roads and paved areas increase and natural tree cover is lost, so is the absorbing effect of vegetation and soil. With no place to soak into the ground, the welcome rain can become costly stormwater runoff.
Without the benefit of trees and vegetated infrastructure, waterways become polluted as oils, heavy metal particles, and other harmful substances run into them. Fish and wildlife suffer, drinking water becomes expensive or impossible to reclaim, property values are reduced, and our living environment is degraded.
Planting the right trees in the right places conserves energy and reduces your energy bills, while helping to fight climate change. See how properly placed trees save energy by providing summer shade, winter warmth, and winter windbreaks. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide, give off oxygen, and store carbon.
Try out the benefit calculator! All you need to do is enter information about a street-side tree and learn about the benefits it provides. Street-side trees are typically located in front yards, medians, parkways, planting strips, or other common planting areas adjacent to streets.
Learn more about the benefits from trees on the Arbor Day Foundation webpage.
DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is working with communities statewide to care and maintain urban forests, and you can find out more about the care of trees by talking with a certified arborist or visit DNR’s website at www.dnr.wa.gov/urbanforestry.
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Volunteers help with a temporary fix to the roads up to the Blanchard Forest. Photo: Diana Lofflin, DNR.
May 16 – The BL-16 (formerly the B-1000) is closed 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
BLML – closed for the day
May 13 – 16 Intermittent delays – roads will be open.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be replacing old culverts and fixing worn roads in the Blanchard Forest Block.
Construction will begin May 6 and run through July 1.
During the weekday construction, you can expect intermittent road closures for up to 10 hours, and expect up to 20-minute delays otherwise. The Blanchard Lower Trailhead will be accessible throughout the process, allowing for trail access (see map).
Good news: The construction will only take place Monday through Thursday, from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekend warriors will still have the opportunity to play at Blanchard without any delays Friday through Sunday.
If you are looking to use the paragliding launch site or access the upper trails on a weekday, check back on this blog and we will post construction updates below.
May 16 – The BL-16 (formerly the B-1000) will be closed - 6:30 a.m – 4 p.m.
May 13 – 16 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
May 20 – 23 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
May 27 – 30 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 3 – 6 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 10 – 13 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 17 – 20 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 24 – 27 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
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New to DNR’s staff is Ken Bevis, who advises small forest landowners on wildlife habitat management issues. Photo: DNR.
Need advice and access to resources to better manage your forestland? Small forest landowners across the state turn to Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for onsite forest management consultation. Now, we have more professionals to provide you with more assistance.
The Small Forest Landowner Office (SFLO) at DNR recently welcomed two highly experienced professionals to its Forest Stewardship Program staff. The Forest Stewardship Program helps family forest owners manage and care for their lands. DNR’s foresters offer consultation and advice to landowners on timber harvests, resource protection, leaving trees for wildlife, reducing wildfire risk, attracting waterfowl, and many other topics.
Meet the new foresters Read the rest of this entry »
The strong earthquake that struck the Chinese province of Sichuan this weekend killing more than 180 people is a reminder of the earthquake risks we face in Washington state. Geologists say it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ a major earthquake strikes our state.
A major problem that emergency planners face is how long should it take to rebuild infrastructure versus how long will it take? To get a picture of how well we are, or are not, prepared to recover from a large earthquake, DNR— home of the state’s geologic survey—worked with other members of the Washington State Seismic Safety Committee to publish the ‘Resilient Washington State’ report. The report contrasts optimum recovery times with best estimates of the reality. For example, hospitals in the greater Seattle area would need to be operational almost immediately after a major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone, but in reality some facilities might be seriously damaged and stay offline for months. The Resilient Washington State’ report offers recommendations to improve statewide resilience to earthquakes and other disasters.
This article from Washington State Magazine shows the challenges we can expect to face in western Washington following a major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone, which lies just off of our coast.
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Creosote-debris removal project in the San Juan Islands. Photo: DNR
Are you a waterfront landowner in San Juan County? Are your tidelands home to a variety of old, derelict creosote-treated pilings or structures? Would you like to see these relics from the past removed from your property?
If so, you can now get help to remove these toxic structures from your tidelands, thanks to a partnership with FRIENDS of the San Juans and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). And it won’t cost you a thing.
A young volunteer lends a hand at the 2012 Beverly Dunes Clean-Up. Photo: Eastern Washington Adventures.
April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has organized a number of opportunities to get involved and improve the recreation available to you on DNR-managed lands.
All across the country we are being reminded of the important role that volunteers have played in making America what it is today.
More than 64 million people volunteered in 2012 in the United States. They donated personal time to help their communities—from serving food, to improving local parks, and fundraising for charitable organizations.
Why do people volunteer to help their community? Some do it because they feel the need to give something back. Some are looking for an opportunity to gain new skills. Others find that volunteering is just a great way to get out and meet like-minded people. Whatever the motivation, DNR appreciates the hard work people contribute every year.
Don’t forget to thank a volunteer next week.
DNR has planned the following events for the weekend of April 27 and 28. This is your chance to help improve recreation in your community.
Help fix trails this weekend in Little Pend Orielle. Photo: Kyle Pomrankey
Beverly Dunes Clean-Up, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Yakima Kittitas Forest Watch Group and DNR as they clean up Beverly Dunes. Please bring gloves, lunch, and water.
Contact Mike Williams at 509-925-0973 or michael.williams@dnr.wa.gov
Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail Clean-Up – April 27-28, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Help clean up Little Pend Oreille ORV area. Volunteer activities include clearing trails of blowdowns, limbs, and other debris. Please bring gloves, handsaw, axe, appropriate riding gear, lunch, and water.
Contact Kyle Pomrankey at 509-685-2719 or kyle.pomrankey@dnr.wa.gov
Elbe ORV Trail Spring Clean-Up – April 27-28 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
Join the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association (PNW4WDA) and Elbe Focus Group for two days of spring cleaning at Elbe State Forest. Everyone should bring gloves, boots (or sturdy shoes), clothing appropriate for the weather, food and water. If you have shovels, rakes or pulaskis, bring them. Some tools will be available.
Contact Nancy Barker at 253-312-4301 or nancy.barker@dnr.wa.gov
Come out and volunteer to receive a voucher towards a complimentary Discover Pass. Check out more events for the weekend of April 27 & April 28 on our volunteer calendar.
You can find more information on these events on the DNR recreation and events page, and invite your friends to events on DNR’s Facebook page.
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