2018 is here so let’s take a look at some of the blogs that were our favorites (and yours, too, we hope) from the past year.
Commissioner Franz Picks Five Favorite Spots to Celebrate Washington Trails Day
In recognition of Washington Trails Day last August, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz encouraged all Washingtonians to take advantage of the state’s thousands of miles of recreational trails. She also highlighted some of her favorite DNR-managed hiking spots on both sides of the Cascades. In addition to fun and exercise, outdoor recreation supports more than 200,000 Washington jobs and generates more than $26 billion in economic activity annually. Read more…
New Trail Opening this Weekend Brings East Tiger Mountain Bike Trail System to over 23 Miles
Everyone loves a new trail and there were several trail openings to celebrate in 2017, including a new 1.6-mile mountain bike trail on East Tiger Mountain, just a short drive from Seattle. Built by DNR trail crew staff in partnership with Puget SoundCorps crews, the new Inside Passage trail brings the East Tiger Mountain Bike Trail System’s total trail mileage to over 23 miles! Read more…
Washington’s Most Overlooked Mountaintop
Last May, during Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State, we put the spotlight on each of our state’s five active volcanoes, including Washington’s least-recognized volcano, Glacier Peak. Just 70 miles from Seattle, Glacier Peak has produced larger and more explosive eruptions than any other Washington volcano except Mount St. Helens, the Washington Geological Survey says. Read more…
Wet Weather can Trigger Shallow Landslides – Do You Know the Warning Signs?
The geology of western Washington — steep slopes and soils — make this landslide country but with the right conditions, steep slopes in eastern Washington are vulnerable, too. Lots of rain, combined with failing drainage systems and development that increases surface water runoff near steep slopes, can be landslide triggers on both sides of the Cascades, which is why we share some of the warning signs of an impending landslide. This year we also introduced Homeowners’ Guide to Landslides, a free download produced by the Washington Geological Survey, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Read more…
Treating Washington’s Forests
Our blog about the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern Washington outlined how a combination of prescribed fires, mechanical treatment projects, new policies and priorities, along with other steps, can reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires and increase the health and resilience of forests in Eastern Washington. The plan — created collaboratively with more than 33 organizations and agencies — was unveiled in October by Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz. Read more…
EAR TO THE GROUND WITH DNR & COMMISSIONER FRANZ 