(Reprise airdate: June 29, 2022) Explore everything from flies to folklore as Nan Evans talks with Seattle author, photographer, and urban naturalist, Kelly Brenner, about her book Nature Obscura.
In June, KPTZ celebrates Jefferson Land Trust. Through community-powered, community-focused land conservation, the Land Trust utilizes a toolkit of conservation easements, land acquisition, government and foundation grants, and community volunteers and philanthropists. Some exciting projects on the horizon this year for the Land Trust are:
Chimacum Ridge, their largest project to date at 853 acres, the Land Trust is working to purchase by 2023 to combine with their adjacent Valley View Forest to become Chimacum Ridge Community Forest. This will be a forest for all, connecting communities and modeling reciprocal relationships with the land. It will provide community access to the forest’s ecological, social, and economic benefits forever. Last year, the state legislature awarded the Land Trust half of the estimated $6 million needed to buy the land.
The beloved Quimper Wildlife Corridor and Cappy’s Trails in Port Townsend which is vulnerable to increasing development pressure. Working with willing landowners, the Land Trust is appraising and acquiring key parcels in the corridor to ensure this precious resource remains available forever for the health of plants, wildlife, and people.
Saving Local Farms, as agricultural lands remain a major focus of the Land Trust. A robust farming economy strengthens our local food system, creates jobs, and helps preserve the rural character of our County. Conserving the soil, waterways, working forests, and open space of farms supports wildlife, too. The Land Trust is currently working with many farmers to finalize protection on their properties this year.
Climate Resilience, to help ensure that our community and wildlife thrives in the face of climate change, the Land Trust is taking steps to build climate resilience. Partnering with the North Olympic Land Trust, they undertook a Land Resilience Study that will aid the two organizations in making landscape-scale conservation and stewardship decisions across the Peninsula.
Jefferson Land Trust is also hosting in-person events again this year, such as its popular volunteer work parties at its nature preserves and their on-the-land gala dinner, LandFest on July 7. The Land Trust is expanding its educational outreach through collaboration with Jefferson County’s four school districts and offering resources for all ages online. And as always, rain or shine, its stewardship staff and hardy volunteers will be monitoring and caring for hundreds of acres of protected wild lands at its nature preserves. For more on Jefferson Land Trust and to get involved visit: www.saveland.org.
(Airdate: June 28, 2022) Living Meaningful and Inclusive Lives. Executive Director Claudia Coppola and volunteer Al Latham share the inspiring story of the Olympic Neighbors, an organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Join Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can as they discuss their mission to empower residents to discover what they want in their lives and to help them to achieve those goals. Learn about the inclusive activities within our larger community of Port Townsend that help these folks to connect and be in community.
(Airdate: June 28, 2020) Our Town host Maryanne McNellis interviews Richard Davies, senior public defender for Jefferson County. Richard and his team represent anyone in Jefferson County who needs state-funded legal representation after being arrested. He estimates that’s about 90% of all legal cases here. We actually have witnessed a drop in the crime rate here. Changing drug laws have helped reduce the overall number of felony charges. The pandemic also helped reduce crime numbers. Fewer people have been out and about and the police have been reluctant to pull over cars for things like broken tail lights. Still, Richard believes our legal system needs a thorough overhaul. Society is in the midst of change. For example, attitudes toward addiction have shifted. We now have a Drug Court which aims to “give people a hand up rather than a boot in the back.”
The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
We are adding 18 new cases this week. The two-week case rate is 979 cases per 100,000 people. This week’s new cases are the total number of cases reported to us as of Friday, June 24, 2022. Future reports will have a full week’s total of new cases. Our current two-week case rate is within the high transmission risk range. At this level, it’s strongly recommended that everyone wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask while in public, indoor places.
Jefferson County Public Health is streamlining its COVID-19 case data reporting as it transitions from an emergency response to a more sustainable and long-term approach to monitoring the virus. The first-ever weekly report published on Monday, June 27 and will appear every subsequent Monday. In addition to shifting to weekly reporting, data will now appear on an interactive dashboard designed with new data presentation software.
Availability of pediatric vaccinations for those 6 months to 5 years has been delayed due to a shipping issue. Dr. Berry said Jefferson Healthcare/ Sheridan Clinic and Public Health will offer the shots the first week in July. Call 360-385-9400 to secure an appointment at Public Health.
The free Covid mask program coordinated though Emergency Management has been discontinued. Director Willie Bence said that demand has slowed “to a trickle.” Some grocery stores still have a supply, as does DEM.
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and Willie Bence by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following BOCC meeting next Tuesday (due to the July 4 holiday).
(Airdate: June 27, 2022) This reprise show, produced by KPTZ DJ host and kayaker Chris Bricker on the subject of kayak safety, was motivated by the tragic deaths of two kayakers just off the Dungeness Spit in April of 2015, along with more recent incidents involving ill-fated kayakers. These are beautiful and spectacular waters, but it’s important to remember the essentials when venturing out in this region to enjoy this great sport. We speak with veteran kayaker and adventurer Chris Duff, Dr. Sam Baker on cold water immersion, leaders of the Olympic Peninsula Paddling Club, and rescue swimmers from the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Port Angeles. Experienced Kayaker, KPTZ’s Mermaid Keri introduces the show.
Coastal Café host Aaron Barnett chats with the head of Washington Dept. of Ecology’s Oils Spill and Preparedness division, Carlos Clements. Carlos describes how Washington is prepared to respond in the event of a catastrophic oil spill as well as prevention measures to avoid such an event.
