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.

Gig Harbor needs more housing density, but where? Comp Plan update will help decide

Aug 28, 2024 | By:

The state requires the city to accommodate the development of 892 units by 2044. A majority of those need to be affordable to people making below median incomes.

Read More

Gig Harbor Land Conservation Fund joins Great Peninsula Conservancy

Aug 28, 2024 | By:

The Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Land Conservation Fund raised more than $100,000 and helped to preserve some 30 acres in the area in less than three years since it was founded. Now it’s joining a larger regional conservancy group, hoping to do even more while maintaining a focus on the Gig Harbor and Key

Read More

Meet the face behind Harbor WildWatch’s TikTok success

Aug 26, 2024 | By: Ronan Lynch

When the pandemic forced beaches to close, Harbor WildWatch Education Director Rachel Easton saw an opportunity. If people couldn’t visit the tides, she would bring the tides to them online. “We transitioned all of our school programs and public programs to be digital, but we weren’t getting much traction. Streaming on Facebook, we’d get a

Read More

Firefighters have stalled progress of blaze on Olympic Peninsula

Aug 22, 2024 | By:

Firefighters appear to have a handle on the wildfire that ignited on the Olympic Peninsula last week, as cooler temperatures and light rainfall have aided the hundreds of personnel battling the blaze five miles west of Brinnon.  The 2620 Road Fire, which ignited near Mt. Jupiter on Aug. 14, has remained at approximately 398 acres

Read More

Fire near Brinnon now estimated at 445 acres

Aug 16, 2024 | By:

More than 100 firefighters are battling a wildfire in Jefferson County, five miles west of Brinnon. The 2620 Road Fire had burned 445 acres near Mt. Jupiter since igniting Wednesday evening, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Jan Glarum, director of Kitsap County Emergency Management,

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More