Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest spans Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and neighboring areas known for old-growth forests, coastal ecosystems, and a mix of urban and rural communities. This archive gathers reported milestones from the region — covering conservation wins, clean energy progress, Indigenous land stewardship, and community efforts that point toward lasting change.

A California condor in flight with wings fully spread, for an article about California condor recovery on Yurok tribal land

California condors nest on Yurok land in the Pacific Northwest for the first time in over a century

By / / Good News For Humankind

California condors are nesting in the Pacific Northwest for the first time in over a century, on Yurok Tribe territory in Northern California. The confirmed nest marks a landmark moment in condor recovery and represents deep cultural restoration for the Yurok people, who consider the condor — prey-go-neesh — a sacred relative. The Yurok Tribe has led reintroduction efforts since 2008, combining Indigenous ecological knowledge with conventional conservation science. Successful wild nesting signals the recovering population is crossing a critical threshold, demonstrating that Indigenous-led conservation produces measurable, meaningful results.

Salmon jumping upstream, for article on Columbia River salmon restoration

President Biden brokers $1 billion deal with Oregon, Washington, 4 Columbia River tribes to revive Northwest salmon population

By / / Good News For Humankind

A billion-dollar plan to bring salmon back to the Columbia River Basin just got a formal signature from the Biden administration, Oregon, Washington, and four tribal nations. The Columbia was once the greatest salmon-producing river system on Earth, supporting 16 stocks — four are now extinct and seven are listed as endangered. The agreement pauses decades of litigation and, crucially, puts tribes at the center as active partners in clean energy development, not just consultation. Yakama Nation Chairman Gerald Lewis put it plainly: more clean energy, yes, but built in a way that’s socially just. It’s a hopeful blueprint for what an honest, Indigenous-led ecological recovery can look like — for the Pacific Northwest and for river systems everywhere.