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Saturday,  October 26 , 2024
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Photo of Lauren Ellenbecker

Stories by Lauren Ellenbecker

Columbian staff writer

The Mount St. Helens Back Country Horsemen partner with a mix of federal, state and local agencies to keep parks and forests south of Mount St. Helens clear for recreation. They work with other trail-focused groups, including the Washington Trail Riders Association, Chinook Trails Association and Washington Trails Association.

Mount St. Helens Back Country Horsemen work to make happy trails for all

The Mount St. Helens Back Country Horsemen partner with a mix of federal, state and local agencies to keep parks and forests south of Mount St. Helens clear for recreation. They work with other trail-focused groups, including the Washington Trail Riders Association, Chinook Trails Association and Washington Trails Association.

July 7, 2023, 6:04am Clark County News

Driving up a steep two-lane road, Judy Smith’s truck grumbled and moaned under the weight of her extended cab and horse trailer. Read story

Equipment used to test for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS or "forever chemicals." in drinking water.

‘Forever chemicals’ found in Clark Public Utilities well water

Equipment used to test for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS or "forever chemicals." in drinking water.

July 6, 2023, 3:41pm Clark County News

Clark Public Utilities found trace amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly dubbed “forever chemicals,” in an offline water well. Read story

American Forests Pacific Northwest Director Brian Morris, right, and AKS Forestry and Engineering arborist Bryce Hanson talk about the fire recovery efforts June 23 at the Nakia Creek Fire site northeast of Camas.

Nakia Creek Fire burn area ‘a pretty resilient landscape’

American Forests Pacific Northwest Director Brian Morris, right, and AKS Forestry and Engineering arborist Bryce Hanson talk about the fire recovery efforts June 23 at the Nakia Creek Fire site northeast of Camas.

July 1, 2023, 6:14am Clark County News

Forestry experts outline recovery efforts for hundreds of acres burned in Nakia Creek Fire Read story

Exposed pilings stick up from the sand and out of the Columbia River on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Surprise Beach in Vancouver. The U.S.

Dry, warm conditions to worsen with El Niño’s arrival in the Pacific Northwest

Exposed pilings stick up from the sand and out of the Columbia River on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Surprise Beach in Vancouver. The U.S.

June 27, 2023, 1:17pm Clark County News

The Pacific Northwest’s warm and abnormally dry conditions this spring and summer may worsen as El Niño settles in the region this fall. Read story

The U.S. Forest Service’s first stage of fee increases for recreational sites in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will begin in July.

Fee hikes set for Gifford Pinchot National Forest sites

The U.S. Forest Service’s first stage of fee increases for recreational sites in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will begin in July.

June 27, 2023, 6:06am Clark County News

The U.S. Forest Service’s first stage of fee increases for recreational sites in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will begin in July. Read story

Washington Trails Association volunteers prepare to "boots and butts," an organizational term for pushing fallen logs with one's legs.

Washington Trails Association preserves connection in Clark County wild spaces

Washington Trails Association volunteers prepare to "boots and butts," an organizational term for pushing fallen logs with one's legs.

June 24, 2023, 6:10am Clark County News

On a quiet and cool weekday, a group of volunteers rested their sturdy legs from hefting supplies back and forth up Silver Star Mountain. Read story

A bee pauses on a showy milkweed plant at the Clark Public Utilities Orchards Operations Pollinator Garden.

Clark Public Utilities gardens attract pollinators

A bee pauses on a showy milkweed plant at the Clark Public Utilities Orchards Operations Pollinator Garden.

June 22, 2023, 6:06am Business

Farewell-to-spring, bluehead gilia and common madia speckled Clark Public Utilities’ rows of solar panels with purple, blue and yellow bursts. Read story

Port of Vancouver wins $601K grant to boost water quality

June 22, 2023, 5:57am Business Free

The Port of Vancouver’s received $601,375 in grant funding to improve water quality for its terminal stormwater facilities and adjacent water bodies, including the Columbia River. Read story

Hazel Dell Elementary School students reenact the explosion of Mount St. Helens on May 23 at the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater. At top, Mount St. Helens erupts on May 18, 1980.

Let’s get ready to rumble: Mount St. Helens Institute to expand outdoor education at Coldwater

Hazel Dell Elementary School students reenact the explosion of Mount St. Helens on May 23 at the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater. At top, Mount St. Helens erupts on May 18, 1980.

June 17, 2023, 6:10am Clark County News

MOUNT ST. HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT — Amid children’s excited chatter and giggles, the first signs of a volcanic eruption — harmonic tremors — spread at the base of Mount St. Helens. Read story

People sit outside on a warm spring day as Mount Baker rises in the distance, in Edmonds, Wash., Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Forecasters expect Southwest Washington drought to continue

People sit outside on a warm spring day as Mount Baker rises in the distance, in Edmonds, Wash., Saturday, May 13, 2023.

June 16, 2023, 6:05am Clark County News

The National Integrated Drought Information system reported that 2023’s snow season eased the potential of drought in much of the western United States — except for the Pacific Northwest. Read story