August 28, 2024
ISSUE 35
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Northwest Trek Wildlife Park releases nearly 400 endangered frogs back into the wild By Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Nearly 400 endangered northern leopard frogs raised at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are now back in the wild at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in Grant County. For four years, Northwest Trek has received northern leopard frog egg masses in the spring from the one remaining wild population at the Potholes Reservoir, collected by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists. Keepers at Northwest Trek then raise the frogs in a controlled environment, monitoring the overall condition of their tanks, including water temperature, pH levels, good bacteria, nitrogen cycle, and oxygen levels. They also protect the frogs from predators and feed them. “All this work is happening behind the scenes from the public and is part of the wildlife conservation efforts that are fundamental to Northwest Trek’s mission,” explained Conservation Manager Marc Heinzman.
Keepers and WDFW staff release the frogs back into the wild each summer, with the goal to establish a new population. “It's exciting for everyone involved, but especially for the keepers who personally cared for these frogs, to see them return to their natural habitat,” said Heinzman. “Being part of this crucial effort to save an endangered species in Washington is incredibly rewarding.” Once abundant throughout North America, northern leopard frogs are rapidly disappearing from their native ranges in Washington, Oregon, and western Canada. The species has been listed as endangered in Washington since 1999. The likely causes of frog decline in the Pacific Northwest include habitat loss and degradation, diseases, non-native species, and climate change. According to WDFW officials, northern leopard frogs are an essential indicator of water quality due to their permeable skin.
Courtesy Nearly 400 endangered northern leopard frogs raised at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are now back in the wild at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in Grant County. Improving and conserving wetland habitat will help frogs and other species, ranging from amphibians to waterfowl and deer. Successful conservation efforts often involve adapting strategies to identify the best outcomes for recovering a particular FROGS, Page 4 Æ
County expands water services By The Tacoma Weekly
Courtesy Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Director Chantelle Harmon Reed commended the council.
On Aug. 6, the Pierce County Council approved an ordinance to expand the county’s Water Utility, aiming to better serve residents and meet future water needs. Here’s what this means for the community. Expanding Services: The County will update its rules to allow the Water Utility to provide public water services and establish a deliberative process for potential future acquisitions of other public water systems. New Water Utility Fund: A new fund has been created to manage the finances for these expanded water services. Funding Support: The water utility will have access to a $635,000 loan from the Sewer Utility Fund to help kickstart this expansion. Acquiring Kapowsin Water District: Pierce County will officially
take over the Kapowsin Water District, which has been under temporary County management since 2017. These changes will take effect on Sept. 1. The Council’s approval of Ordinance No. O2024-532 followed earlier presentations to the Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee (EIDC) on the proposed water utility and a financing plan for it. The Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 9, and gave the ordinance a “dopass” recommendation. The County’s Water Utility was originally created in 1998 to manage water resources at Chambers Creek. The County also recently took over the water system at Tacoma Narrows Airport. Expanding the Water Utility will help Pierce County maintain its water rights and WATER, Page 4 Æ