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.

Stink bugs making annual fall foray onto, into homes

Oct 10, 2022 | By:

Brown marmorated stink bugs are searching for warm spots to weather the winter. Relatively new to the Northwest, they’ve been largely undiscovered by predators that could keep their numbers down.

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Kopachuck State Park renewal nearing, minus beach portion

Sep 28, 2022 | By:

The Kopachuck renovation project will begin early next year, but the beach portion will be held up after funding fell $1 million short.

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Wait continues for new data on lead contamination near Donkey Creek

Sep 22, 2022 | By:

As the rocker Tom Petty told us, “The waiting is the hardest part.’’ A 20-year quest by state agencies to pinpoint the levels of toxic lead contamination of waters in and near Gig Harbor will continue for a while longer, as hiring slowly resumes at the Washington state Department of Ecology, and investigation and mitigation

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A new Guardian now keeping watch over the waters of txʷaalqəł

Sep 15, 2022 | By:

Puyallup Tribe Culture Director Connie McCloud paused with emotion when describing the significance of the place known as txʷaalqəł to her people. “Here on the waters and on this land, our ancestors have lived here for thousands of years. We remember them today and acknowledge them,” McCloud said. “Those that lived here fished and raised

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Volunteers go to war with English Ivy along Nelyaly Creek

Sep 12, 2022 | By:

Andy Sharp shut off the chainsaw he was using to cut swaths of an invasive plant off a deciduous tree at his property near the corner of 82nd Ave NW and 92nd St. NW. “This tree’s already dead,” Sharp said. The suspected cause of death: English Ivy. Sharp, along with volunteers from Friends of Pierce

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State, county both plan culvert removal to clear way for Purdy Creek fish

Sep 08, 2022 | By:

The state has begun work to remove three fish passage barriers on Purdy Creek and Pierce County is planning to replace two others.

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New turf field ready for use at Sehmel Homestead Park

Aug 15, 2022 | By:

The new turf soccer field at Sehmel Homestead Park will be dedicated in a ceremony Friday afternoon.  But the $948,000 surface already has hosted its first major event. The Harbor Soccer Club’s Tyee Cup, which included 150 youth teams, was contested in part on Sehmel’s new carpet.  Installation was mostly complete last week, ahead of

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Fish passage project to temporarily shift traffic on Highway 16

Aug 10, 2022 | By:

Work will begin soon on a 3-year effort to replace 44-year-old pipes that carry Purdy Creek under Highway 16. A third culvert will be replaced under the Highway 302 Spur in Purdy. And a complete closure of Highway 302 for the Little Minter Creek culvert project begins Thursday.

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As wildfire season flares up, here’s how to evaluate your home’s risk

Aug 09, 2022 | By:

Our wet spring brought a welcome reprieve from wildfires and smoke that have plagued Western Washington in recent years. But summer isn’t over by a long shot, and wildfire season is just getting started. Several fires that started last week in Eastern Washington — one a brush fire that led to the evacuation of a

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PenMet buying land to expand sandspit park on Fox Island

Jul 26, 2022 | By:

The $2.5 million purchase is contingent upon receiving a grant and determining that the property is suitable for its intended use.

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