by Jeannine Nichols, NCAP supporter in Washington State It was late at night, the tail end of Thanksgiving break. As a teacher, every child’s holiday is my own. I anticipate spring break and summer vacation. I pray for snow days on cold winter evenings. When days of rest come I sink into them gratefully. I stared into the bathroom mirror, slowly brushing my hair. From the other room I could hear my husband snoring. I looked down at the sink and against the white background saw something dark move. Or did I? Was it a piece of an earlier woodland walk falling from my locks? I got in closer and moved the thing around with my finger, still unsure. I went back to brushing my hair, looking more suspiciously at my head. I brushed toward the sink. Then something else fell onto the white backdrop, a tiny, moving little creature. Continue reading

by Megan Dunn, Healthy People & Communities Program Director  For back to school, it's great to support environmental efforts and purchase recycled paper and nontoxic markers. You may be able to find recycled pens and pencils. But, you can take even more steps to ensure a clean, healthy and environmentally friendly classroom. By supporting your school’s efforts to reduce pesticides, you are protecting student, employee, and volunteer health. Continue reading

A group of concerned activists outside of Seattle, Washington have been following the progress of a new playfield closely. The group was concerned with conflicting information about using crumb rubber from recycled tires, instead of plant-based alternatives, as the infill for a new playfield. The field is a collaboration between the school district, city and health district. Continue reading

Low snowpack and an early hot summer have led to warmer temperatures for Pacific Northwest rivers. Temperatures have risen into the 70s in the majority of rivers with monitoring stations in Oregon, Washington and California. These high temperatures have been blamed for thousands of recent adult and juvenile salmon deaths of both wild and hatchery fish. Salmon need cold water for optimal health, preferring temperatures in the 50s. Continue reading

  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new label language for pesticides that are toxic to bees. The language would prohibit growers and pesticide applicators from using certain pesticides when contracted bees (usually honeybees) are on-site to perform pollination services.   The measure is a step in the right direction but doesn’t go far enough! Continue reading