Environment

Gig Harborites love the natural surroundings in which they live, and Gig Harbor Now staff members keep them apprised of opportunities to enjoy and preserve their forests, waters and creatures.

Pierce County receives grant to map eelgrass

Apr 07, 2025 | By: Ed Friedrich

The $500,000 award enables the county to monitor sensitive eelgrass habitat that serves as an indicator of nearshore health.

Photos: Low-tide walk at Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve

Apr 03, 2025 | By: Carolyn Bick

Carolyn Bick tagged along with Harbor WildWatch on a recent low-tide beach walk on Fox Island. Here’s what they saw.

Texas mystery-developer plans 31 houses next door to Gig Harbor High School

Mar 26, 2025 | By: Ted Kenney

The project is proposed for 39 acres on Rosedale Street, directly west of Gig Harbor High. Developers are asking to deviate from city rules on altering topography and on the required size of the vegetation buffer between the property and the high school.

Gig Harbor won’t install license plate-reading cameras

Mar 26, 2025 | By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Public comment was overwhelmingly against license-plate reading cameras, and the council voted 5-2 against installing them.

Proposed new Gig Harbor comp plan doubles down on housing density

Mar 20, 2025 | By: Ted Kenney

The plan would increase density, thanks in part to a new state law requiring jurisdictions to accommodate housing for a variety of income levels.

A chum salmon swims upstream to spawn last fall.

Purdy Creek culvert projects completed to salmon’s liking

Mar 06, 2025 | By: Ed Friedrich

Bridges replaced state culverts under Highway 16 and the Highway 302 spur, though a couple county culverts still partially block fish.

Two cabins would be acquired in the purchase.

PenMet expanding Fox Island sandspit park

Feb 19, 2025 | By: Ed Friedrich

Two purchased parcels will add 3.6 acres and 265 feet of shoreline. The board also approved final design for a shoreline restoration.

Ancich Dock project hits raw nerve: Is Gig Harbor a fishing town or yacht haven?

Jan 22, 2025 | By: Ted Kenney

A proposal to rebuild the historic Ancich Dock would remove creosote-soaked pilings and provide more light for marine habitat. But neighbors have concerns about whether it provides enough parking and whether the new marina would infringe on the future Commercial Fishing Homeport.

Harbor WildWatch’s Beach Monitoring Program keeps volunteers up late

Jan 21, 2025 | By: Carolyn Bick

The volunteers flock to area beaches in the darkest hours of winter to count sea stars, crabs and other creepy-crawly critters.

Meet Roomba, Harbor WildWatch’s new Pacific red octopus

Jan 14, 2025 | By: Marsha Hart

She’s new in town, and she enjoys going out at night. She dines on mussels, which are her favorite, though she also enjoys salmon. She’s tiny and doesn’t like sharing her space with others. Roomba is a Pacific red octopus about the size of a large grape. Staff at the Marine Science and Technology Center

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