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.

Penrose State Park campground closure extended

May 10, 2023 | By: Ed Friedrich

The park in Lakebay on Key Peninsula will open to day use on May 15, but supply-chain issues on a septic repair project are holding up camping.

Wollochet road improvements among projects receiving state funds

Apr 25, 2023 | By: Ed Friedrich

State budgets also included money for PenMet’s community recreation center and restoration of Whiteman Cove on Key Peninsula.

Two in Tow & On the Go: Nature, but nearby, at Adam Tallman Nature Park

Apr 21, 2023 | By: Tonya Strickland

Today’s adventure explores Gig Harbor’s Adam Tallman Nature Park, a mostly paved half-mile path that weaves you through wild wetlands and boasts a surprise duck pond obscured from the street.

Rabbit Haven hoping (or hopping?) you can help

Apr 14, 2023 | By: Julie Warrick Ammann

Russell Wilson is calm and docile. His large ears pop upright atop his soft furry head as he stretches out casually in an oversized pen at Rabbit Haven, a non-profit rescue and shelter for rabbits in Gig Harbor’s Ray Nash Valley. Russell and his pals at Rabbit Haven could use your help. Since rabbits go

City residents discuss ideas for climate action plan

Apr 04, 2023 | By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

The city of Gig Harbor hosted an online workshop on climate change on March 29, as part of its efforts to craft a Climate Action Plan. Seattle-based Cascadia Consulting Group led the workshop, attended by more than two dozen people. The consultants gathered feedback on five “overarching sectors” of the action plan: transportation; buildings and

Gray whale that washed up on Fox Island likely was hit by boat

Apr 04, 2023 | By: Vince Dice

A gray whale found dead last weekend on Fox Island likely had been struck by a boat. But even before that, it probably wasn’t doing very well. Scientists with the Cascadia Research Collective and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a thorough examination and necropsy of the gray whale on Tuesday, April 4. Cascadia

Two in Tow & On the Go: Megalodon at Point Defiance, a PNW tradition

Mar 24, 2023 | By: Tonya Strickland

Last year, Clara, Wyatt, and I stumbled upon a much-loved tradition that locals have been carrying out for decades.

And now that we know, it’s one we’re adopting forever.

Pierce County asking public to weigh in on flood plan

Mar 22, 2023 | By: Ed Friedrich

Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula residents might be interested in coastal flooding that will be included for the first time in the new plan.

Two in Tow & On the Go: Getting out of the house

Mar 09, 2023 | By: Tonya Strickland

Now that we’re on my fifth column here at everyone’s favorite news site, you know a little more about the kids and me. Like how I’m a sucker for a historical throwback, Clara and Wyatt are officially willing to forgo swings for forests, and that we’re never too old for a fenced-in playground. But how about I take it one step further?

In addition to lead contamination, high concentrations of PCBs have also been found near the Donkey Creek delta.

New data, new progress on Donkey Creek contamination

Mar 09, 2023 | By: David Armstrong

The slow-rolling saga of Gig Harbor’s attempts to find, measure and cleanse toxic chemicals from its streams and harbor waters is picking up velocity, albeit at a stately pace. The Washington state Department of Ecology and the Gig Harbor Sportsman’s Club have resumed work on a lead pollution clean-up plan after Ecology named environmental engineer