Outdoors | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Grey Squirrel standing on the snow eating a nut.

We recently had a winter storm, complete with rain, snow, and a power outage, at my house that lasted for 24 hours. Our generator kept our food safe and house warm, but the television and … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 12/7/22 | 1 comment

Ducks On the Pond

All winter long, on the lakes, ponds, and wetlands of Thurston County, we have opportunities to check out a variety of ducks. They are wintering here before flying off next spring to breeding … more

By George Walter | 12/1/22

Child Care Action Council launched the Sense of Place Walk project, in which children and grownups can have fun ways to learn while walking around Garfield Elementary block.

Learn history, environment, and diversity through the Sense of Place Walk

To celebrate 35 years of serving Thurston County, the Child Care Action Council (CCAC) offered the Sense of Place Walk project, which aims to give children – and grownups - a fun way to be … more

By Lyn Lirio | 11/28/22

The Commission on Equity and the Board Of Park Commissioners had a joint meeting to review the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation’s (LPCR) drafted improvements to its Corporate Sponsorship Policy.

Lacey Parks and Equity Commission meet jointly to discuss Corporate Sponsorship Policy improvements

The Lacey Commission On Equity and Board Of Park Commissioners had a joint meeting to review the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation’s (LPCR) drafted improvements to the Corporate Sponsorship … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/17/22 | 2 comments

Nisqually Delta Waterfowl

Last weekend a friend and I went for an afternoon walk at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. It was a beautiful day, clear and relatively warm for November. The parking lot was … more

By George Walter | 11/17/22 | 1 comment

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board had a special meeting on Tuesday, November 15.

Proposed Regional Fire Authority’s property tax shift and fee would not occur until 2024

“If the RFA passes up the ballot in April of 2023, the shift of property tax and any resulting general fund expense reduction will not occur until 2024.” Jay Burney, Olympia city … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/16/22 | 2 comments

A layout of Preserve Park which will be located on Aster Street and 91st Street.

Tumwater picks contractor to build new park in The Preserve

Tumwater city council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a contract with Tapani Inc for the construction of the Preserve Park during a meeting held yesterday, November 15. Preserve Park will … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/16/22 | 1 comment

A view of Tumwater Falls from within Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, formerly known as Tumwater Falls Park, taken on April 2, 2021.

Tumwater committee supports adding Cowlitz to Oregon National Historic Trail

Tumwater committee supports adding Cowlitz to Oregon National Historic Trail By Jerome Tuaño Tumwater’s General Government Committee forwarded to the city council a resolution … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/15/22 | 1 comment

American kestrel hunting for food in its habitat

Falcons

The Falcons, of the Genus Falco, are raptors - birds of prey. There are 40 species worldwide. They are exceptionally fast flyers, able to catch their prey on the wing. And these wings are long and … more

By George Walter | 11/10/22

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife noxious weed coordinator David Heimer voiced support for the Offut Lake Management District to prevent future issues, albeit with reservations.

State Wildlife supports Offut Lake Management District no. 24, with reservations

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) voiced support for the establishment of the Offut Lake Management District No. 24 during a county-level public hearing held on Tuesday, November … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/3/22

Waterfowl – Part 3 – More Diving Ducks

Ducks are found worldwide, and because they are excellent flyers, they often migrate long distances between their summer breeding territories and wintering grounds. During the winter, we in southern … more

By George Walter | 11/3/22

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board on a special meeting last November 1 to discuss the levy rate based on the preliminary 2023 OMPD budget.

Olympia Metropolitan Park District mulls $5M 2023 budget

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board discussed a proposed $5,321,573 OMPD budget for next year during a special meeting on Tuesday, November 1. Last October 5, the Olympia staff … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/2/22

Marine life display Giants Of the Salish Sea — Humpbacks and Gray Whales by John Calambokidis from Cascadia Research Collective will speak on November 6 at the Puget Sound Estuarium.

Of whales, beans, and parks - ways to get involved

Welcome to November! Someone said this morning that the end of Halloween ushers the start of the holiday season. I agree with that, but it also ushers in the busiest season for our nonprofit … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 11/1/22 | 2 comments

Some of the Percival Plinth Project's previous displays.

Olympia calls for Percival Plinth sculptures for next year’s exhibit and competition

Olympia is looking for another round of sculptures for next year’s exhibits at Percival Landing. In a press release, Olympia announced a call for 18 artworks from artists based in Washington … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/28/22

For people in town, it’s time to start raking street drains.

Full-On Fall is Here

This was the last week the sunset after 6 P.M. and the first week of genuine, normal rain. We have rediscovered the sweaters in our dressers, the fleece in our closets, and the slugs in our … more

By Jill Severn | 10/28/22 | 1 comment

Lacey Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jamie Oakland reported at a meeting yesterday, October 25, 2022, that a total of 108 violations, including vandalism, theft, and graffiti, happened at the parks in the city for the year 2022.

Vandalism, theft, and graffiti reported in Lacey parks, facilities

Over a hundred cases of public property damage occurred in Lacey parks and facilities within the year, costing the city more than $30,000 for repair labor and materials. Lacey Parks Maintenance … more

By JC Medina | 10/26/22 | 3 comments

Tumwater’s park and recreation committee met on October 19 to discuss updates for the community center.

Tumwater is seeking a design firm for the new community center

Tumwater is looking for a firm to design its new community center, said Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney during their commission’s meeting yesterday, October 19. The city has … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/21/22

Seed bombs are created using soil and clay with seeds inside.

Anarchist gardeners

A friend brought me a pamphlet called “Gardening and Direct Ecological Action,” published by the Vangardeners, an offshoot of the Olympia Assembly. They advocate “guerrilla … more

By Jill Severn | 10/21/22 | 2 comments

Ellis Cove, in Priest Point Park in Olympia, in January 2021.

Olympia Finance Committee clarifies park impact fee

The Olympia Finance Committee held its regular meeting yesterday, to brief the council about the park impact fee. According to a presentation by FCS Group Consulting Principal John Ghilarducci, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/20/22

Waterfowl – An introduction

Fall and winter in our home territory is the very best time to watch waterfowl. The tall grass has died back, and all the wetlands are full (hopefully, eventually). Waterfowl are the swans, geese, … more

By George Walter | 10/20/22