It’s time to get outside and enjoy summer barbecues, gardening, hikes and much more. Don’t let mosquitoes keep you inside. Instead, enlist chemical-free strategies to manage these pests in your landscape. Start by eliminating the mosquitoes’ breeding grounds. Drain the water out of buckets, old tires and clogged gutters and downspouts that hold water needed for mosquitoes […]
wildlife
Posted inGarden
The Pint-Sized Powerhouse of Structural Engineering
Small songbirds are easy to overlook. Most people will notice a bald eagle on a pole but will miss a little gray bird in a nearby shrub. In the world of birds, the largest ones will always make a lasting impression. Someone seeing a brown pelican for the first time may think it’s huge. That […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Illahee Preserve — A Natural Forest in an Urban Setting
In the middle of Kitsap County between East Bremerton and Silverdale is located one of the most outstanding urban natural-park spaces in the United States. It is a 570-acre site known as the Illahee Preserve. Owned by Kitsap County, the Illahee Preserve is managed by the county’s parks department in conjunction with a nonprofit group […]
Posted inAt Home
5 Tips to Successfully Bring a New Pet into Your Home
Bringing home a puppy or kitten can lead to a lot of excitement. However, discussing issues that may arise and preparing in advance for a new pet’s arrival can help make for a smooth transition. Consider these tips from the pet experts at PetSmart Charities to help make your new pet’s adjustment to its forever […]
Posted inAt Home
5 Tips for Senior Dog Care
As your dog ages, your care must evolve to meet your furry friend’s changing needs, particularly when it comes to mobility, injury-prevention and recovery. The following tips can help keep your aging dog mobile, healthy and happy. Fish oil: Originally recommended for treating canine allergies, fish oil is now used to treat numerous conditions, including […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Public-Private Partnership Will Protect 430 Acres on Hood Canal
A recently formed public-private partnership will protect Camp Hahobas on the shores of Hood Canal near Belfair. Working in collaboration, The Trust for Public Land, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Navy have protected important lands in the unique Hood Canal ecosystem for multiple public benefits, including habitat conservation, recreation, […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Become a Stream Steward to be Part of Local Eco Projects
Did you know that beavers act as engineers in our local Kitsap ecosystems to alter entire habitats? Or that simple barrels filled with the right materials can help keep our local salmon populations healthier? Join WSU Kitsap Extension’s annual Stream Stewards course this winter to engage with various aspects of land and freshwater resources, while […]
Posted inGarden
The Varied Thrush Provides a Respite from the Winter Doldrums
Some people look forward to winter because they enjoy snow sports. Fans of NFL football love the playoffs. Others appreciate a reason to wear flannel and sip hot chocolate by a cozy fire. Birders see winter as the time to bundle up and grab the binoculars. For birds that breed in the Arctic, a West […]
Posted inGarden
The Aquatic Songbird that Makes a Splash
Songbirds are not just frequent visitors to gardens and birdhouses. They are everywhere. Some species, like the dark-eyed junco, are ubiquitous, adapting to various environments. But others have special habitat requirements. For example, marsh wrens need marshes and sagebrush sparrows need sagebrush. A songbird splashing in shallow water is a common sight. But is it […]