What's the bird of the year? Plus shocking shipping news and warm winter reads

Hikes, birds, conservation on the famous Elwha River

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548933/fan_mail/new] Olympic National Park's Elwha River is famous! Historic dam removals have revived the river and its spectacular watersheds. When you visit, you'll see beautiful forests and wildlife -- including dipper birds! We share lots of info about dipper birds, where to hike, and how to conserve this Pacific Northwest treasure for our grandkids. Hiking Madison Falls [https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/madison-falls] Glines Canyon Overlook [https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/glines-canyon-overlook-trail] West Elwha Trail [https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/west-elwha] Conservation River Restoration - Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe [https://www.elwha.org/departments/natural-resources/river-restoration/] Elwha Legacy Forests [https://elwhalegacyforests.org/] History

Olympic Coast ocean exploration, very cool birds and Earthrise

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548933/fan_mail/new] Ocean wonders and birding gems:  * The Feiro Marine Life Center and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary have teamed up to create an interactive Olympic Coast Exploration Center on the waterfront in Port Angeles.  * Just outside Port Angeles, the North Olympic Land Trust has rewilded the Lyre Conservation Area where really cool birds are always spotted.  * For Earth Day, we celebrate 'Earthrise,' the photo taken by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders that launched Earth celebrations globally.  Dedicated to the educators and passionate volunteers teaching us about nature and bringing wonder to our worlds. Have fun and volunteer: Feiro Marine Life Center [https://feiromarinelifecenter.org/] North Olympic Land Trust [https://northolympiclandtrust.org/] Beach clean ups [https://www.coastsavers.org/] COASST [https://coasst.org/] Elwha Legacy Forests [https://elwhalegacyforests.org/] North Olympic Salmon Coalition [https://nosc.org/]

Feminist killer whales? Plus: best spring birding, and a PNW heroine

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548933/fan_mail/new] Surprising news of the endangered orcas along Washington and Vancouver Island's coastlines! Plus, spring brings birds and birding parties. Avian expert Iris shares tips on finding the best. And it's women's history month! Our shipping news returns with the incredible but true story of the real-life Tug Boat Annie. BYOB(inocular) Bird Walk with Iris RSVP with North Olympic Land Trust [https://northolympiclandtrust.org/event/byob-birding-second-saturday-stroll/] Birding festivals Olympic Birdfest [https://olympicbirdfest.org/] Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival [https://www.shorebirdfestival.com/] Othello Sandhill Crane Festival [https://www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/] Save the whales! Orca Conservancy [https://www.orcaconservancy.org/] Listen to whales: OrcaSound [https://www.orcasound.net/]

Canadians boycott the U.S. Plus, finding PNW birds in Costa Rica

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548933/fan_mail/new] A travel show! Iris visits her Pacific Northwest bird friends in Costa Rica. Carole imagines preserving Olympic National Park. Locally, ferry service resumes to Canada, but many Canadians won't be travelling. We talk with Canadians about the boycott and send some neighborly love. Plus Chef Vanessa cooks up sunshine. Elwha Legacy Forests [https://elwhalegacyforests.org/] Osa Wild [https://www.osawild.travel/]

National Parks go crazy! Plus marmot zen and tips to stay sane

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2548933/fan_mail/new] Climb aboard the crazy train of national park news, then calm down with tips on staying sane, marmot surveys and the one and only Port Angeles shipping news.  Dedicated to all those bringing kindness to the world. And marmots, of course!