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Brian Caughlan, an International Society of Aboriculture-certified arborist, who previously worked at Lacey’s stormwater division, is Tumwater’s new urban forester. 
City of Tumwater introduces new urban forester 
The City of Tumwater has hired an urban forester, a long-eyed position considered key to the implementation of its urban forest management ... more
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Toxic algae health advisory in effect for Pattison Lake
A toxic algae health advisory has been issued for a lake in Thurston County. The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department issued a toxic algae bloom ... more
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Transportation remains the largest contributor to local emissions, accounting for 34% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to Olympia's Climate Program Specialist Jaron Burke. He spoke at the Planning Commission meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025. 
Olympia off track on climate goals, transportation largest contributor to emissions 
Olympia's climate action plan faces significant challenges, and climate officials admit current efforts are insufficient to meet the greenhouse gas reduction targets set for 2030 and 2040. … more
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The Thurston Conservation District included this wildfire probability map in the South Thurston Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to identify areas, especially those in dark red, where projects like fuel reduction and defensible space are most needed. 
Wildfire plan emerges for south Thurston County
A five-year tally of 305 fire calls, three evacuations and two burns inside a protected wildlife preserve prompted the Thurston Conservation District to confront years of ... more
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The odd-even watering schedule for Lacey. The program begins on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Odd-even watering schedule for Lacey starts on June 1
In an effort to reduce peak water demand during the summer months, the City of   Lacey is rolling out its mandatory odd-even watering schedule for yards ... more
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Jennifer Colvin awarded Marty Cheney a belt buckle in thanks for her work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to help get a conservation easement for Colvin Ranch 20 years ago. Cheney was the grazing specialist at NRCS until recently retiring, but still works with the organization sometimes. She helped the Colvins create a grazing plan that is unique to their ranch and herd.
Colvin Ranch celebrates 20th anniversary of conservation easement
Colvin Ranch in Tenino celebrated 20 years of its conservation easement, inviting the community to come together for its annual Ranch Day ... more
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Grant Gilmore (top right), a Water Resources Specialist in Tumwater, briefed the Public Works Committee on Thursday, May 22, 2025, about a $500,000 grant agreement with the Department of Ecology to fund the second phase of a project to stabilize the riverbank of the Deschutes River as it passes Pioneer Park. 
Tumwater committee endorses grant to stabilize riverbank along Pioneer Park  
A project to stabilize the riverbank of the Deschutes River as it passes through Pioneer Park will take its next step, as work on an earlier phase proceeds ... more
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LOTT Clean Water Alliance board members and executive officials reviewed the proposed layout and budget projections for the new Martin Way Pump Station during a board meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The station handles more than 80% of Lacey’s wastewater and will include a bypass pipe, stormwater pond and self-cleaning wet well by 2029. 
Lacey urban growth spurs LOTT to modernize sewer system 
For 35 years, the Martin Way Pump Station has served the City of Lacey by processing more than 8 million gallons a day through its original generator, pumps, and wet well, components ... more
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Energize Thurston application period closes on May 31
Local residents have less than two weeks to sign up for a program to receive free or discounted heat pumps or heat pump water heaters. The deadline to join the Energize Thurston program is … more
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Sea Level Rise Collaborative seeks proposals for adaptive monitoring framework 
The City of Olympia has requested proposals from qualified consultants to help develop a data-driven strategy that will guide when and how the city and its regional partners ... more
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A green waste recycling container, as seen in this undated photo.
Olympia offers free assessments for organic management compliance 
Olympia is offering free waste assessment to help businesses comply with the state of Washington's phased-in organics management ... more
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The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 2025 as Prairie Appreciation Month to recognize the region’s endangered native grasslands and to honor volunteers, ranchers and indigenous communities who steward prairie lands. 
Decline of South Puget Sound prairies are a conservation priority in Thurston County 
South Puget Sound’s native prairies are now listed as one of the state’s rarest ecosystems, as The Nature Conservancy confirmed prairie lands have dwindled to under ... more
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A crew member secured the Artemis EF-12 Escape at a Port of Olympia dock on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Redefining water travel
An evolutionary development in water travel pulled up and docked at the Port of Olympia on May 8, amid a backdrop of local dignitaries and special guests who gathered to get a feel for what future … more
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The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency is proposing a 110% increase in Land Clearing Burn Permit fees, from $131 to $275 per acre. The 110% increase would strongly affect Thurston County, where nearly half of all permits are issued, according to the agency. 
ORCAA’s proposed burn fee hike could sting in Thurston County  
Landowners in Thurston County, who rely on fire to clear their land, could soon face a steep hike in fees for burn permits. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) is proposing a more than ... more
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Tentative dates have been set for the final razor clam digs of the season.
Final razor clam digs get tentative dates in May
Tentative dates have been set for the final razor clam digs of the season for people willing to venture out to the coast and dig up the ... more
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Pest & Vegetation advisory committee seeking three members in Thurston County
People who are passionate about environmental stewardship, agriculture or toxicology are being sought for positions on an advisory committee in Thurston County. The Pest & Vegetation … more
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The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) rejected the recommendation to scrap equity and climate language in the draft Regional Transportation Plan on Friday, May 2, 2025.  
Thurston Regional Planning Council rejects push to scrap equity and climate language from transportation plan 
The Thurston Regional Planning Council rejected a recommendation to remove diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate language from its draft transportation plan ... more
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The City of Olympia is launching a high-tech curbside recycling program in an effort to improve recycling efforts.
Olympia launching high-tech curbside recycling program
In an effort to encourage more and better recycling habits while reducing the amount of contaminated materials deposited in recycling carts, the City of Olympia is ... more
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Two inlets in Thurston County threatened with restrictions because of rising fecal levels
Two inlets in Thurston County are threatened with harvest restrictions because of rising fecal coliform bacteria levels. Eld Inlet and Henderson Inlet were among 13 areas to get flagged in an … more
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A slide about the Deschutes Estuary restoration project from the Department of Enterprise Services presentation to the Port of Olympia Commission on Sept. 9, 2024.
Washington Legislature transfers Deschutes estuary restoration project to Department of Ecology
The Washington Legislature has reassigned a long-term project to restore Capitol Lake into an estuary, taking it away from the hands of the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) and handing it over … more
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