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Columbia Insight is a #nonprofit #newsroom #publishing #environmental #news and feature stories about #climatechange #wildlife #energy #biodiversity #indigeouspeople #landuse #forestry and #water in the #ColumbiaRiverBasin and the #PacificNorthwest.
STORY UPDATE: "Low Impact" certification app. for Wells Dam on the Columbia dropped.
Maryalice Fischer (Certification Program Dir.) emailed 25+ govt, tribal and nonprofits LHIH would be dropping its dam certification evaluation.
columbiainsight.org/should-this-...
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Thank you for the shoutout @ianrosewrites.bsky.social
This year, I worked with some of the best editors in science and nature writing. Everything I wrote was better because of them.

@lkbotts.bsky.social for Sierra
@joespring.bsky.social for Smithsonian
@saraivry.bsky.social for JSTOR
Chuck Thompson for @columbiainsight.bsky.social
By the way, it's National Editor Appreciation Day.

Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.

So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Should this dam on the Columbia River be certified ‘Low Impact’?
Tribes, environmental groups and the state of Washington challenge Douglas County PUD’s bid for low impact certification for Wells Dam.
columbiainsight.org/should-this-...
November 25, 2025 at 8:47 PM
@columbiainsight.bsky.social has been tracking WA endangered western gray squirrels since '23. They face threats from logging, especially in the Gorge. New efforts are being undertaken to save their habitat, even as one timber lot goes up for auction today.
columbiainsight.org/logging-proj...
November 21, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Data Center Workgroup convened by WA Gov Ferguson set to release recommendations on industry's future on Dec. 1, Columbia Insight has gotten ahead of the story, exclusively reporting that the group will not recommend measures to require use of carbon-free energy.
columbiainsight.org/wash-data-ce...
November 20, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Banned since 1948, fish traps return to the #ColumbiaRiver. Can they catch hatchery #salmon while protecting wild, endangered species?
columbiainsight.org/banned-since...
November 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Your gift to @columbiainsight is matched up to 4X! 🌎
Support independent environmental journalism in the Columbia River Basin.
Give now → columbiainsight.org/donate
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Wildfire risk is making timberland less valuable.
Rising wildfire risk and volatile timber pricing may lower forestland values by as much as 50%.
columbiainsight.org/wildfire-ris...
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Repeal of roadless rule could mean return of timber wars. Seventeen years ago, Idaho opted out of the national program. Could its foresight provide a template for compromise?
columbiainsight.org/repeal-of-ro...
November 6, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Super Hot Rocks could power data centers in central Oregon.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems are breaking new ground. How deep can they go in the quest to satisfy AI?
columbiainsight.org/super-hot-ro...
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by columbiainsight.org
Is Washington's plan to protect 77,000 acres the state's "largest forest conservation action in a generation," or smoke and mirrors? I tackle the hard questions here:
columbiainsight.org/wash-says-it...
@wadnr.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Columbia Insight has delivered news on environmental issues that affect the Pacific Northwest for over 10 years, powered by supporters like you. Now your gift to @columbiainsight is matched up to 4X! 🌎
Support independent environmental journalism.
Give now → columbiainsight.org/donate
November 3, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Washington says it will save 77,000 acres from logging. BUT Don’t applaud yet. Critics say the big plan amounts to “smoke and mirrors” and is “misleading”.
columbiainsight.org/wash-says-it...
October 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
8 new Washington bee species have been identified.
The unexpected finds in Chelan County have important implications for biodiversity and knowledge about expanding ranges. 6 of the 8 bees are pollinators. columbiainsight.org/8-new-washin...
October 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Take part in a global effort to track sea level changes.
On the Oregon Coast the next King Tides are November 5 to 7. Participation is easy: choose a location along the coast, snap a photo when the tide is at its highest point, and share it at www.oregonkingtides.net.
October 29, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A story from the archive for global climate awareness day:
Human activity is making it difficult to retain adequate water supplies.
Study also says climate change is making it harder to escape drought even as winters bring lots of precipitation.
columbiainsight.org/human-activi...
October 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
In Washington, one of last wolves of the Sherman pack has been issued a ‘lethal removal’ order.
If the pack loses another adult, the fate of the whole pack is in the balance. 70% of WDFW wolf killings are being carried out on behalf of a single landowner.
October 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Idaho is the first state in US to try new firefighting tech.
The state has struck a deal with a German company for a satellite-based monitoring system already in use in Canada and Europe.
#firefighting #wildfire #wildlandsfire #forestfire
columbiainsight.org/idaho-first-...
October 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Can luxury and wilderness co-exist? After a controversy in the Columbia River Gorge, the glamping alternative is under scrutiny.
columbiainsight.org/the-glamp-di...
October 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A popular conservation organization, the Watershed Alliance of Southwest Washington, is closing its doors. For the past 17 years the nonprofit organization, has planted hundreds of thousands of trees along creeks, streams and rivers.
This year will be its last.
columbiainsight.org/a-popular-co...
October 14, 2025 at 8:03 PM
How about a good news bat story?
Collaboration between government agencies and a mining company has transformed a dangerous but valuable property into prime bat real estate in Idaho.
columbiainsight.org/an-abandoned...
October 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We're delighted that this story by @ianrosewrites.bsky.social‬ has been so well received and praised for it's research and accuracy.
Emerald ash borers have killed millions of ash trees since they arrived in the US. They made it to Oregon in 2022, British Columbia in 2024 and this year, were detected in Portland. Washington is on alert.

My first story for @columbiainsight.bsky.social :

columbiainsight.org/tree-killing...
columbiainsight.org
October 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Bad news for PNW bats.
OR Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats has been detected in the state for the first time.
Read about the perilous lives of bats. Researchers are concerned about new threats to populations, especially in WA.
October 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Emerald ash borers can kill an ash tree within three years of initial infestation. They have killed millions of ash trees since they arrived in the US. Having made it to Portland, Oregon, Washington is on alert. The Columbia River is not likely to be a barrier. columbiainsight.org/tree-killing...
October 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Unprecedented water restrictions imposed across Yakima River Basin. New curtailments will impact 1,500 water rights holders and local communities might need to restrict residential watering.

columbiainsight.org/unprecedente...
October 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM