Did you know Washington Legislature created the State Board of Park Commissioners on March 19th, 1913, four years before the creation of the National Park System.?Today, the Commission manages 117 developed parks and a total of approximately 120,000 acres of park lands – approximately one-third…
Happy Bike to Work Week! In honor of the big celebration, check out this hilarious public service announcement Transportation Alternatives created for Bike to Work Week back in 1993.
Any plans tonight? Well, you should stop by Green Drinks! The fun begins at the Manito Tap House, 3011 S. Grand Boulevard. The Manito Tap House is a locally owned eco-friendly gastropub. They serve scratch-made food, feature 50 tap handles (with an emphasis on craft…
Citizens are encouraged to attend a workshop to discuss alternatives for an updated arterial plan that would coordinate transportation improvements connecting the various jurisdictions that make-up the West Plains area of Spokane County. The workshop is set for this Thursday, May 16th, from 6 to…
This isn't good. Last year, I remember stumbling across an article that said our carbon dioxide could pass a daily average of 400 parts per million (ppm) in at least four years. That number is significant because it's an atmospheric concentration not seen in human…
In Eastern Washington, dust storms can be a serious problem, posing a number of serious health risks. Fortunately, the Department Of Ecology has got your back with some great tips. From DOE: It’s dust storm season when wind speeds pick up and the air can…
"Word To Your Mother”, a Mother’s Day celebration aimed at raising awareness for gloval issues will feature short rally speeches by local advocates and elected officials, drumming and a Round Dance performed by the Idle No More Drummers, and a free concert by the Real…
Poor air quality can affect people of all ages, especially those sensitive to air pollution, including people with asthma or heart conditions, people who work and exercise outdoors, and older adults and children. The truth is that almost every day, each of us contributes a…
The Lands Council has developed a new effort, "The Green Sleeves Project" in which they will be working with Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, and the Spokane County Corrections Labor Program (SCCLP) to restore, and revitalize local watersheds. It sounds like a win-win with the goal of…
Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced expanded eligibility for USDA grants to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at America’s farmers’ markets. As a result of funding provided by Congress through the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations…
This video from the Ocean Conservancy does a great job of explaining the dangers of ocean acidification off the Washington coast and the deadly effects on shellfish. Ocean acidification primarily occurs when carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean and turns into carbonic acid, absorbing…
Columbia Riverkeeper, Spokane Riverkeeper and Sierra Club will host an evening discussion about Our Nuclear Neighbor: Hanford, connecting its historic downstream impacts, to the Columbia River, and downwind, to Spokane. The event will take place at Gonzaga University School of Law, Barbieri Moot Court Room…
I'm a little late in reporting this Earth Day news but last Monday the Spokane Teachers Credit Union launched a cool campaign for members who want to switch to paper-saving electronic account statements. Why is it so cool other than simply saving paper? It will…
In terms of my attitude toward cycling to work, I always return to something Barb Chamberlain told the Spokesman a few years ago: “I think people would be scared off if they had to change their whole life all at once. But it’s so doable,…
Remember the illustrated history of the Keystone XL pipeline? Check out the comic come to life with cool sound effects.
The Spokane Master Composters/Recyclers will host the 34th semi-annual Compost Fair at the Finch Arboretum this Saturday, April 27th. The Fair is being held as part of the Arbor Day Celebration and starts at 11 a.m. Attendees must arrive by 1:30 p.m. to complete all…
It has been three years since the Deepwater Horizon well exploded 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Eleven men lost their lives that day. On April 22, the rig sank into the Gulf of Mexico, triggering 87 days of uncontrolled oil discharges to the…
Happy Earth Day to all! Each year, I'm asked why Earth Day matters and I'm truthfully exhausted with that argument. It just matters, okay!? (For a longer piece on that issue, read an old blog post called Why Earth Day Matters.) One of the key…
Philip Radford of Greenpeace and Bill McKibben of 350.org recently joined the growing crowd of people calling for comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship. I see their leadership on this issue as a promising step. As I explained in Grist three years ago,…
Good news: Spokane Regional Health District’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program kicked off spring by extending its hours of operations in most of its clinic locations. The following sites will operate from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (with no closures…
One of the region's best features is the Centennial Trail even though it has some gaps. Now's the time to speak up on how to fix a few starting with Mission Avenue. The City of Spokane will hold another open house to update citizens on…
Earth Day Spokane returns to Main Ave. in Downtown Spokane this Saturday! Enjoy a full day of amazing local music, street performers, spoken word, short community leader speeches, great local food, children’s activities, bountiful opportunities to learn about environmental organizations in the area and the…
That is a striped beakfish swimming aboard a 20-foot-long Japanese boat that washed ashore last month at Long Beach, Washington. Five of the fish, plus other Japanese species of sea creatures, arrived alive, apparently hitching a ride across the Pacific Ocean on debris that came…
Meet Olivia Peters. Only 12-years-old, she has singlehandedly scaled back a construction project that would eliminate an old-growth forest in Surrey, British Columbia. What's that all aboot you're thinking? She was out for a walk with her mother and noticed the trees were covered with…
Don't forget: Spokane’s only conference covering every facet of opportunity that lies within a regional food economy will be held April 19, 2013. The Power of Our Regional Food Economy: 2013 Conference in Spokane’s University District is expected to attract more than 200 participants, rallying…
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