News Labor shortages, heat bring tough tides for WA shellfish farm At Taylor Shellfish Farms, hiring is increasingly a challenge as skyrocketing housing costs and difficult working conditions make it hard to recruit. by Mara Kardas-Nelson High Country News / October 17, 2022
How wildfires in the American West hurt the entire country As smoke travels, it can cause illness and economic hardship thousands of miles away. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / October 1, 2020
As wildfires break records, firefighters face growing health risks Emerging scientific evidence shows they may be at risk of respiratory and heart illness, and maybe even cancer. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 28, 2020
How British Columbia protects its people from wildfire smoke The Canadian province is well ahead of Washington and Oregon in protecting people’s health from wildfires. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 22, 2020
Wildfire smoke’s health impacts have only just begun A growing body of evidence shows smoke sickens and can even kill. Is the government doing enough to protect residents? by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 21, 2020
During wildfires, West Coast farmworkers forced to put harvest over health Little is done to protect the workers’ health, and many feel powerless to hold employers accountable. by Mara Kardas-Nelson & Jess Alvarenga & Rosa Amanda Tuirán InvestigateWest / October 6, 2020
Environment The quest to create a greener guitar Steve McMinn runs Pacific Rim Tonewoods near Concrete, Wash. The company mills wood grown in the Pacific Northwest for guitarmakers. by Ken Christensen for EarthFix / December 1, 2016
Environment Your fleece is contaminating our oysters Many shellfish grown in coastal British Columbia have plastic in them, according to research led by shellfish biologist Sarah Dudas. by Ken Christensen for EarthFix / September 14, 2017
Environment On San Juan Island, saving the life of a rare butterfly The island marble, considered one of the rarest butterflies in North America, only exists in a small section of the San Juan Island National Historical Park. Credit: Greg Davis by Ken Christensen for EarthFix / September 4, 2017
Politics Flora, fauna and phones? Mt. Rainier approves cellphone service Mt. Rainier National Park could soon have cell phone access, at Paradise and on nearby hikes. by Ken Christensen for EarthFix / August 14, 2017