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.

Harbor Happenings | Celebrate salmon on Saturday

Nov 19, 2024 | By:

Every autumn, Gig Harbor celebrates the return of chum salmon to Donkey Creek. This year’s Donkey Creek Chum Walk takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, and includes guided walks along the creek, information booths, salmon-related activities and more. Pick up a Salmon Passport at Austin Park and follow the trail

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Chum Walk may be light on chum again; here’s why

Nov 18, 2024 | By:

Chum salmon probably won’t attend the annual event in big numbers again this year, but there are reasons for hope for the future.

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Two In Tow & On The Go: This zoo adventure was no snoozer

Nov 08, 2024 | By:

Snagging a spot for the exclusive Zoo Snooze at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium isn’t just special — it’s downright rare.

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County planners switch views on Purdy, now recommending a more urban future

Oct 30, 2024 | By:

“Shock” is the term one lawmaker representing Gig Harbor used to describe her response to the Pierce County Planning & Public Works Department’s recent flip-flop on the future of Purdy, the unincorporated community just outside Gig Harbor’s northern border. Early this year, county planners recommended stripping Purdy and some other unincorporated areas next to Gig

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Green crabs, blackberries and knotweed not invited to State of the Watershed address

Oct 25, 2024 | By:

Editors note: This story has been updated since it was first posted. Meghan Whidden discussed Minterbrook Oyster Company. An earlier version of this story attributed the presentation to the wrong person. Green crabs, and blackberries, and suspicious septic tanks — oh, my! OK, OK — no one actually said the above verbatim, and this writer

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Harbor WildWatch helps the Blue Water Task Force keep the water clean

Oct 23, 2024 | By:

“When I was here, the harbor seal just went right under the dock and popped up on the other side,” Sarah Kelly excitedly says. Her eyes sparkle. “It was so close.” On this temperate day in early October, Kelly takes a sample of the water at Jerisich Dock. She is a Blue Water Task Force

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Two In Tow & On The Go: Tacoma’s Franklin Park has Gig Harbor ties

Oct 18, 2024 | By:

Franklin Park in Tacoma has all the makings of a fantastic kiddo destination … slides, swings, and an unexpected tie-in to Gig Harbor. (That last one is a prerequisite on what’s considered cool, right?) Plus, Clara and Wyatt have already asked to go back. 

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After failed acquisition, undeveloped Eagles Ridge parcel still on PenMet’s’s radar screen

Oct 02, 2024 | By:

The Eagles Ridge property is 114 acres of forested property with waterfront access. Only a fraction of it is developable.

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Harbor History Museum working on repairs to Our Fisherman, Our Guardian

Sep 19, 2024 | By:

Sculpture repairs could be wrapped up soon, after which the city can reinstall the canoe onto the sculpture at Austin Park at txʷaalqəł Estuary.

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PenMet celebrates opening of revamped Rosedale Hall

Sep 18, 2024 | By:

An afternoon mist began to turn to light rain just as a ribbon cutting ceremony wrapped up Tuesday evening to officially celebrate the extensive renovation of the nearly 100-year-old Rosedale Hall. About 40 community members gathered in the parking lot to listen as Pen Met Parks commissioners and staff spoke on the importance of preserving

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