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.

Air quality is OK for now; here’s how to monitor it if conditions get worse

Aug 01, 2024 | By:

Wildfires are burning across the Pacific Northwest, and public health officials are encouraging West Sound residents to prepare for the possibility of smoky conditions and poor air quality. What are conditions like now? Washington is in the midst of what is likely to be an unusually hot and dry summer, according to the state Department

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The 100-mile adventure on the Salish Sea

Jul 31, 2024 | By:

Over 65 boats arrived in Gig Harbor last week to participate in the annual Salish 100. Each summer, a fleet of small boats cruise from Olympia to Port Townsend, covering the length of the Puget Sound. The 100-mile journey is not a race but a chance for boaters to build community and celebrate their watercraft

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PenMet Parks’ free mobile recreation program coming to local schools

Jul 17, 2024 | By:

Peninsula Metropolitan Park District on Tuesday, July 23, will launch a new Mobile Recreation program that is free to all families, with no preregistration required. The fun will include field activities, arts and crafts geared toward ages 3 to 12, but all ages are welcome. Food Backpacks 4 Kids with funding from BBQ2U will provide

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Two In Tow & On The Go | Playing Nature Bingo with two new flora fans

Jul 12, 2024 | By:

Lush and green or prickly and purple – Washington people LOVE their plants. Rosedale native Greg Spadoni and the kids work to identify the peninsula’s diverse array of big leaf maple, Douglas fir, wild huckleberry and more at Sehmel Homestead Park with a captivating game of Gig Harbor Nature Bingo! Follow along and download your own free Bingo card here.

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Solar array planned for former Purdy landfill

Jun 27, 2024 | By:

Pierce County plans to build a large solar power array at the old Purdy landfill, paid for by a $2.3 million grant from the state Department of Commerce. The grant comes from proceeds from the 2021 Climate Commitment Act. The law created a cap-and-invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The Pierce County Planning

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What to do when honey bees swarm

Jun 18, 2024 | By:

Have a swarm of honey bees on your property? Don’t spray them with water or insecticide. Call the Pierce County Beekepers Alliance.

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Village at Harbor Hill still waiting on an anchor-tenant grocer

Jun 13, 2024 | By:

The Village at Harbor Hill developers had no “amazing news” at a community meeting, but a Trader Joe’s representative was in the crowd.

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EPA grant helps school district buy more propane buses

Jun 03, 2024 | By:

Peninsula School District is one of 16 districts in Washington state to receive money for clean school buses in the most recent round of federal funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Peninsula’s $250,000 in rebate funding will help offset the purchase 10 new propane buses to replace

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New state program aims to make Gig Harbor Wildfire Ready

Jun 03, 2024 | By:

Wildfire Ready Neighbors, a statewide initiative that helps property owners prepare their homes for wildfires, expanded to Gig Harbor last week.  State Public Land Commissioner Hilary Franz unveiled the new program during a press conference at Fire Station 50 in Gig Harbor on May 31. Officials from the Washington Department of Natural Resources and Gig

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Kopachuck closure begins Monday

May 31, 2024 | By:

Washington State Parks has confirmed that Kopachuck State Park will close for construction for more than a year on Monday, June 3. There had been uncertainty after bids exceeded available funding. State Parks’ engineers estimated the base cost at $7.1 million. The state Legislature appropriated $6.6 million. Pease Construction of Lakewood submitted the lowest bid

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