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
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
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
Environment Will limits on fishing free up salmon for starving orcas? With fishery limits now set, attention turns to rebuilding "overfished" salmon runs and protecting Southern Resident orcas. by Jes Burns OPB / April 22, 2019
Environment Forget Smokey — new tech helps us assess fire danger Visitors to Northwest forests and parks will still see Smokey the Bear and the familiar fire danger color scheme, but new science will inform those predictions. by Jes Burns OPB / April 15, 2019
Environment Scientists help hatchery salmon find the sweet smell of home Confused salmon keep getting lost on their way back to the nest, but wildlife scientists are helping them make scents of the journey. by Jes Burns / December 11, 2018
Environment Old-growth forests could help native songbird species beat climate change How songbirds move could help explain how bird species are dealing with rising temperatures and climate change. by Jes Burns OPB/EarthFix / October 8, 2018