New culverts in Washington state cost $20 million each. The DOT needs to replace 400 of them by 2030 The Washington State Department of Transportation has a lot of very expensive projects it has to manage in order to keep people moving around, and legislators recently got some pretty massive sticker shock for a different project — one that’s aimed at improving the way salmon move around. Libby Denkmann
To save axolotls, a campaign in Mexico asks people to virtually adopt them To help protect the salamander, the National Autonomous University of Mexico launched a campaign asking people to virtually adopt an axolotl or help pay for one of its meals. Juliana Kim
A beaver dam blocked spawning salmon at Carkeek Park. Now humans are giving nature a nudge Typically, a major construction project in Seattle requires a city permit. Changes to a park would have you wading into the political process – maybe lobbying your city council member or the mayor. But beavers can’t be bothered with land use applications. Libby Denkmann
Seattle got dark and rainy again. Do we still need to conserve water? Seattle-area officials are still asking the public to use less water, even as autumn storms have been refilling the city’s reservoirs. John Ryan
King tides are coming. Is Seattle's South Park neighborhood ready? Tuesday Nov. 28 is the first king tide of the season.In South Park, business owners, residents and the government are hoping to avoid a repeat of last season's catastrophic flooding. Joshua McNichols
Pope Francis: Climate activist? The Pontifex has long used his platform to advocate for climate change awareness. Now he's attending one of the biggest conferences seeking to address it. Manuela López Restrepo
Global talks to cut plastic waste stall as industry and environmental groups clash The United Nations wants to finish a plastics treaty by the end of 2024. Almost every piece of plastic is made from fossil fuels, and the industry wants a big say in how it's cleaned up. Michael Copley
'Good bones' from old homes help build Seattle's future When homes are demolished, that wood usually ends up in the dump. But now, an investment by the Environmental Protection Agency aims to get that old wood into new Seattle houses. Joshua McNichols
"It feels like I'm not crazy." Gardeners aren't surprised as USDA updates key map. The USDA is updating an important map for gardeners and growers picking plants and flowers. The new map shows the contiguous US is about 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the last map 11 years ago. Julia Simon
