A viewer-submitted video shows a cougar wandering through a Woodinville neighborhood; wildlife officials urge residents to secure pets and report sightings.

A neighbor in Upper Alki filmed coyotes on Halleck SW, prompting concerns for pets and reminders from wildlife officials about hazing and prevention.

Home cameras captured a cougar prowling Bellingham’s Geneva neighborhood; residents have asked wildlife officials to assess whether the animal should be removed.

The Washington DNR warned this week that budget cuts could force closures at nearly 20 recreation sites, including campgrounds and an ORV area in Southwest Washington. Officials say staffing losses and lost crew partnerships have stretched maintenance thin.

Mount Rainier will not require timed-entry reservations in 2026 and will rely on parking and traffic controls instead. Officials and local businesses are watching how summer crowds respond.

A permit allows the removal of one of six coast redwoods at 700 McGilvra Blvd E; neighbors including Tom Skerritt say the grove stabilizes a steep slope and hosts wildlife.

Woodland Park Zoo welcomed two female lion cubs on Jan. 14. The cubs are currently off-view in a maternity den as keepers monitor their growth.

The Stillaguamish Tribe breached old levees near Stanwood, restoring roughly 230 acres of tidal marsh to boost Chinook habitat and ease flood risk for nearby farms. Restoration partners and state transfers helped stitch parcels together for a larger estuary plan.

Woodland Park Zoo is turning its Family Farm into Wild Encounters, a phased revamp that adds a lorikeet aviary and Aldabra tortoises. Phase 1 is slated for summer 2026.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is offering grants up to $15,000 for community-driven recreational projects to promote physical activity and soccer. Application deadline is February 10.

A vote this week could strip ladders and catwalks from Gas Works Park’s towers after several climbing‑related deaths, pitting safety against preservation. The board will weigh the parks department’s proposal and preservationist pushback.

DNR launched a plan for healthier forests in Western Washington to combat threats like droughts and intense heat and to preserve habitats and prevent wildfires.

Bellevue's Robinswood Park sports fields are getting an overhaul with new synthetic turf and lighting, funded by a levy and catering to a diverse range of sports.