Everyone loves a good haiku

Posted by: Julia Swan

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Hoh River, one of the nation’s last untouched rivers. This week I’m writing to announce that Fast Moving Water: The Hoh River Story is now on view at the Burke. I was really impressed by Keith Lazelle’s photographs and was easily able to find a moment of zen in a busy work day by sitting in the exhibit space and listening to the accompanying nature sounds by Emmy-winning recordist Gordon Hempton. I recommend you come check it out—it’s a small, but extremely calming and pleasant photo show.

Keith Lazelle was inspired to become a photographer through a book of photographic translations of Japanese haiku poetry. In the spirit of haiku-loving, I propose a Burke Blog Haiku Contest! Feel free to leave a comment with your own favorite haiku—if you need a prompt, try writing about your favorite outdoor location. I’ll start it off with a brief ode to the Hoh River:

Deep in the mountains
A small river flows—untouched
Makes its way to sea

Ok—your turn!

- Julia

P.S. The talented Karyn Gregory has once again recorded a great podcast. This time it's with Keith Lazelle, talking about his experiences in the Olympics. Click here to listen.

Introducing the Hoh River

Posted by: Julia Swan

In just less than a month, a new environmental photography exhibit opens on April 24, 2008 at the Burke called Fast Moving Water: The Hoh River Story. The exhibit showcases 14 framed color photographs of the Hoh River by acclaimed nature photographer Keith Lazelle.

I have to admit, until recently I knew very little about the Hoh River. I grew up in the backyard of the mighty Columba River, so 50 miles of flowing water in the Olympic Peninsula seemed more like a stream to me. Of course, once I started learning more about the Hoh River, I realized that this small river, tucked away in one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest, has quite a fascinating story.

The Hoh River helps support one of the planet’s last intact temperate rainforests, the Hoh Rain Forest. Enormous Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar trees tower at up to 300 feet and are part of a rich and diverse ecosystem of plants and animals. Bald eagles, northern spotted owls, Roosevelt elk, black bears, bull trout, and salmon are just a few of the species that can commonly be found in the Hoh Rain Forest.

The Hoh River plays a crucial part in sustaining this luscious forest habitat. The waters of the river, and its tributaries, are an important life source for nearly all of the living creatures and green plant life in the forest. That’s all fine and well, but the truly unique feature of the Hoh River is that it is one of the only rivers in the contiguous United States that is in pristine condition—in other words, the Hoh River and its floodplain has escaped the onslaught of damming, logging, and other sorts of development that has affected so many American rivers.

In an age when untouched natural environments are increasingly vulnerable, the Hoh River is an important symbol of why conservation matters. Luckily, groups such as the The Hoh River Trust, our partner in bringing this exhibit to the Burke, have worked hard to protect and preserve the river and the land that surrounds it. One look at the gorgeous photos from Fast Moving Water, and I’m sold. In fact, once that sun comes back out, I might have to a plan a little venture into the rainforest!

- Julia

Photos by Keith Lazelle, on view in Fast Moving Water: The Hoh River Story, April 24-June 6, 2008, Burke Museum.

Wilderness Conference coming up

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham

How do we preserve wilderness for future generations in a world where environmental and social change is occurring more rapidly than ever?

If you are interested in meeting the many people who have created and protected the wilderness areas of this region or if you want to learn more about how change impacts local wildlife, you should check out the 2008 Wilderness Conference, April 3 – 5.

From sessions on global warming, to bridging political divides through environmentalism, to indigenous perspectives on wilderness, there’s a lot to take from this event.

Of special interest to Burke fans:

Steven Kazlowski, the photographer behind the Burke’s upcoming exhibit The Last Polar Bear, will be there signing books with publishers The Mountaineers Books. Stephen Brown, editor of Arctic Wings, on which the Burke’s upcoming fall photography exhibit of the same name is based, will be featured as the Saturday night Banquet Speaker.

Details on registering can be found online at the conference home page. It’s not too late to register and there are some affordable options.

A number of the Burke staff will be attending the kickoff event on Thurs., April 3 at Kane Hall on the UW campus – a presentation by award winning photo-journalist Gary Braasch, author of Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming is Changing the World. See you there!

- Rebecca

On thin ice

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

If we don’t act now, “climate change is going to deal with us on its own terms, and we’re not going to have the options to deal with it on our terms,” says wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski in his latest interview with KPLU’s environment reporter Liam Moriarty.

Kazlowski, the wildlife photographer behind the Burke’s upcoming environmental exhibit, The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World, talks about the devastating changes to the melting arctic ecosystem that he has seen firsthand tracking and photographing polar bears for eight years.

If you have ever wondered what it’s like to wake up to find a polar bear in your tent, take a listen.

- Rebecca

Is the Polar Bear endangered?

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

We’re opening an exhibit in June about the impact of global warming on polar bears in Alaska – and with the status of the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act currently under review by the federal government, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the debate raging between climatologists, environmentalists, wildlife scientists, land developers, Alaskan residents, and government officials over its protection.

Some parties expect the protection of polar bears to do for global warming awareness and reform what the endangered status of the bald eagle did for pesticides reform, while others think it will wrongfully cripple Alaskan development. This issue is loaded with conflicting priorities and expectations, summed up nicely in NPR’s brief report by Elizabeth Arnold today. Take a listen to this crash course in the debate: “Polar Bear Isn’t Endangered.”

- Rebecca

Photo (c) Steven Kazlowski,www.lefteyepro.com. On view in The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World, opens June 8, 2008 at the Burke Museum.

The Adaptable Turkey

Posted by: Karyn Gregory

This Thursday, millions of Americans will enjoy that traditional Thanksgiving culinary delight: turkey (in the United States at least – Canada’s Thanksgiving is on the second Monday in October). The plucked and frozen turkey most available at the grocery store is a domestic turkey.

But did you know that thanks to reintroduction efforts, their wild cousins have returned from the brink of extinction? They are now thriving in the suburbs of New England, seven million strong! From the linked article:

"Wild turkeys have been spotted in towns and suburbs across New England—and have even been seen strolling through downtown Manhattan.

The turkeys' ability to take to these urban environments was a surprise to biologists."

- Karyn

Photo: Male North American turkey, M. gallopavo. Courtesy of Wikipedia.

We're ready...

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

The last of the images are hung and labels are in place. Join us on Sat., June 16, 10 am – 5 pm for the opening day of Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam.

Opening Day Schedule

10:15 am ~ Photographer Tour with Florian Schulz
11am ~ “The Origin and Status of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative”
12 pm ~ “The Columbia Highlands - Making the Rockies to Rainforest Connection”
12:30 pm ~ Photographer Tour with Florian Schulz
1:30 pm ~ “Wildlife Bridges Across Interstate 90”
2pm ~ “From the Cascades to Karakoram – a global exploration of bears”
2:30 pm ~ Photographer Tour with Florian Schulz
3 pm ~ “Bringing Critical Wildlife Conservation Issues to the Public”

I’m most looking forward to the tours with featured photographer, Florian Schulz (pictured left). I’ve been working with his images for months now in preparation for the show, but when I finally met him and heard him talk about trailing grizzlies through the mountains for 10 years, it struck me how deep the stories these pictures tell really are. Florian hangs off of precipices, dives underwater, tracks animals that could kill him in an instant, and sits still for hours and hours at a time just to capture that one glorious instant we see in an image on the gallery wall. It seems like there is so much wisdom living in those mountains, and it lives in him now too.

- Rebecca

Bon Voyage!

Posted by: Karyn Gregory

Just a bit south of here, two humpback whales – a mother and calf – have finally started home after swimming 90 miles through the San Francisco Bay and ending up in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. They were spotted heading for the Sacramento harbor on May 13, arrived on the 15, and have been attracting massive crowds of whale watchers to the area. Ever since then scientists have attempted to lure them out before the whales hurt themselves. Biologists are concerned because "...they are at the end of their hibernation season, [therefore] they have less blubber to rely on for fuel than they would later in the summer or fall."

First, the scientists tried playing whale songs and when that didn’t work, they planned on scaring them with loud underwater noises. Fortunately, it looks like the whales came up with their own idea and began following two tugs out of the Port of Sacramento towards the Pacific Ocean. They still have a long way to go, but it looks like they’re on the right track. Keep it up you guys!

You can see video of the whales on KIRO TV here.

-Karyn

Photos
Top left: Humpback mother and calf, courtesy of OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)
Bottom right: Humpback tail flap, courtesy of OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)

Baby Orca Brings Hope

Posted by: May Evans

A new orca calf brings the endangered Puget Sound orca population up to 86.

Puget Sound is home to 3 pods, or groups, of Orca whales for at least 6 months out of the year. The pods, designated by the letters K, J, and L, provide scientists with a means of understanding the influence of humans on the health of Puget Sound. According to Bob Lohn, head of the NOAA Fishery Services Northwest regional office in Seattle, “These animals are part of Puget Sound’s cultural heritage and its ecology. We have an obligation to see that this population once again thrives.” This past fall, with the deaths of three adults and two calves, the pod population dropped to 85. But now, a new calf has been born.

L109, as the newest member of the L-pod, faces what could be a very difficult year. Scientists are unsure of who mothered the calf, but they have narrowed down the possibilities to two adult Orcas, a mother and her daughter. Orcas are contaminated with industrial chemicals and these collect in the fatty tissue and milk. These pollutants are then passed on to the first and second calves born to a mother. After that, "the mothers sort of clean themselves out," according to Ken Balcomb, a senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research. So if L109 belongs to the mother, it has a greater chance of survival because it will be her third calf, but it would be the daughter’s first, making it more susceptible to premature death. Experts say that if L109, whose gender has yet to be determined, survives through the summer, it has a good chance of living a full life.

The calf gives new hope to NOAA Fisheries Service, which has set its goal for local Orca recovery at a stable population of 120 animals. The most pressing dangers facing the whales are pollution, oil spills, the effects of boat traffic, and a lack of food. NOAA is working to combat these threats, and is seeking suggestions regarding the reduction of boat traffic-related trauma on the whales. Public hearings start in April, and in the meantime, be sure to download the “Whale Wise” boating guidelines.

-May

Photo by Nancy Black, Monterey Bay Whale Watch

Greener Campus

Posted by: Karyn Gregory

Since the Burke Museum shares a campus with the University of Washington, their news is often our news. Last week, UW President Mark Emmert signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, “pledging that all three UW campuses will record its emissions of greenhouse gases and implement policies to decrease them.” Between 2000 and 2005, the University cut back gas emissions by 9 percent. Not too shabby.

Today, the Burke Web site is launching a new resource for information concerning climate change on both local and global levels.

In the coming months, the Burke Museum will offer exhibits, educational programs, and environmental forums designed to engage audiences in an ongoing discussion about climate change and global warming solutions.

-Karyn

Sustainability is sexy

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

Why sell guilt when you can sell sex?

Last week, the Seattle PI highlighted an interesting UW student-run campaign going on right outside our museum doors. Led by the Young Democrats, students are using a bold slogan to promote sustainable consumer choices – “Sustainability is Sexy.”

Plastered on t-shirts, buttons, and stickers, the slogan promotes awareness for campus incentives to reduce consumerist waste. Bring your own coffee cup to a UW coffee stand and save $1 on drip coffee or get 10 cents off an espresso drink.

If you’re interested in more info about alternative coffee choices, try this great local resource: ¿Más Café? Vicky Lawson and Colleen Donovan of the UW Department of Geography put together this handy Web site providing you with info on fair trade, organic and shade grown coffee. TransFair gives us this list of Washington State fair trade certified licensees.

Personally, I go sustainable by reusing a coffee travel mug plastered with a childhood picture of my sister and me playing Atari and suffering from some mean Saturday morning bed head (admittedly not sexy). How do you go sustainable?

- Rebecca

A Waste-Free Holiday for All!

Posted by: The Burke Staff

The staff at the Burke Museum sends it warmest holiday wishes to you. During this season of heightened consumerism, we encourage you to consider your impact on your community and the environment. Here are some of our staff’s personal recommendations for a sustainable holiday season:

• Go organic! Choosing organically grown food and drinks for the holiday season not only keeps our environment clean and healthy, it also treats you and your family to a cleaner, healthier diet! This year try a few new organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and even wines. A 100% organic holiday dinner? Go for it! – Tim Stetter, Environmental Education Coordinator

• I exchange favorite (carefully used) books from the past year with my mom, sister, and niece – this gives us great material for conversation the next time we get together! – Jennifer Dirking, Director of Development

• I am giving local coupon books for gifts this year. They have deals on restaurant meals and tickets to venues all around the area, which is fun to use all year. – Judy Davis, Administrator

• Give the packaging-free gift of an experience. Check out Waste Free Holidays for discounts on Washington experiences: from a Burke membership, to a day at the spa or a night at the opera! - Rebecca Durkin, Public Relations Assistant

• Make a gift to a museum or non-profit in honor of someone. – Anna Frey, Annual Fund Coordinator

• Show support for community initiatives with your gift giving: Habitat for Humanity allows you to purchase in honor of someone a part of a project, like a light fixture or a sink. Mercy Corps kits also make a great gift. – Regan Samul, Museology Graduate Student

• Re-use old newspapers for gift wrapping. – MaryAnn Barron, External Communications Director

• Donate to a charity in someone's name or buy them a gift card so that they can get things they need. – Shana West, Museology Graduate Student

• Serve up fair-trade coffee from places like East Timor to your holiday guests – Laura Phillips, Archaeology Collections Manager

Some additional ideas:

• Skip the disposables and have re-usable dinnerware at your holiday parties.

• Edible gifts!

• Share your holiday party leftovers with your local soup kitchen.

Do you have any ideas of your own? Please share them in the comments section.

- The Burke Staff

Subhankar Banerjee in Seattle

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

Subhankar Banerjee, the wildlife photographer whose expansive and sometimes controversial work was on exhibit at the Burke in 2005 with “Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land,” is back in Seattle for a talk on Thurs., Nov. 30 at the University of Washington.

Subhankar will present his latest work, “America’s Arctic: Is it for Sale?” which explores development threats to America’s arctic wilderness beyond the bounds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

It’s free and there will even be some light refreshments – how can you pass on that?

Subhankar Banerjee presents “America’s Arctic: Is it for Sale?”
Thurs., Nov. 30
7 pm
Kane Hall 130
University of Washington, Seattle
Free admission
Sponsored by Alaska Wilderness League

-Rebecca