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Environment

October 9, 2025
Singed trees remain standing in the Columbia River Gorge’s Coyote Wall Recreation Area in mid-September, about six weeks after the Burdoin Fire. (Photos by Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Drastic change of scenery at Coyote Wall

BINGEN — In spring, you can count on the Columbia River Gorge’s Coyote Wall trail network to dazzle the eyes with crowded carpets of yellow and purple wildflowers. In the heat of summer, Coyote Wall’s jagged, tilting grassland dries out into a furrowed plateau of glowing gold.

October 9, 2025
Dying leaves seen on a western red cedar tree Friday in Vancouver show the stress some native tree species are facing due to climate change. Western red cedar, western hemlock and bigleaf maple trees are dying in greater numbers because of hotter, drier summers. Trees already stressed from heat or drought can be more susceptible to fungus and pests such as beetles.

Tree loss accelerates amid hotter summers

The hot, dry summers Clark County and much of the Pacific Northwest have experienced in recent years are harming some native tree species. Forestry experts and environmental groups say western hemlock, western red cedar and bigleaf maple are dying off due to the changing climate.

September 18, 2025
A sea lion swims in circles near Who Song & Larry’s Restaurant and Cantina along the Columbia River in 2021. The federal government recently renewed permits to remove salmon-munching sea lions without much pushback. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian files)

Feds approve trapping of more sea lions

The federal permit that allows Northwest states and some Native nations to trap and kill salmon-eating sea lions in the Columbia River was reapproved late last week.

September 18, 2025
A visitor takes in the beauty of Fallen Leaf Lake in Camas on Monday morning. The park is one of dozens of properties Clark County has purchased through its Legacy Lands program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in October. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Legacy Lands celebrates 40 years

If you have enjoyed a hike at Moulton Falls, a walk along the Salmon Creek Greenway or a day on the beach at Frenchman’s Bar, you can thank Clark County’s Legacy Lands program, which marks 40 years in October.