Protect, Preserve, Enhance: Inside Washington's Department of Ecology
Washington's Department of Ecology was the first environmental agency to be established in the U.S., back in 1970. We're headquartered in Lacey, with regional offices across the state, and are tasked with protecting, preserving and enhancing our environment for current and future generations. Here, we post stories from our our environmental programs as well as expertise in scientific research, creative problem-solving, complex project management, and innovative partnerships.Learn more about us at www.ecology.wa.gov/blog. You can also seek us out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Episodes
23 episodes
Ecology's degreaser replacement ad (Spanish)
¡Atención, mecánicos de automóviles yjefes de estaciones de servicio!El Departamento de Ecología deWashington está ofreciendo hasta diezmil dólares a aquellas empresas quereemplacen los desengrasantes tóxicospor alternat...
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1:00
Ecology's degreaser replacement ad (English)
Attention auto mechanics and service station managers!The Washington Department of Ecology is offering up to ten-thousand dollars to businesses that replace toxic degreasers with safer alternatives.Many solvent-based degreasers contain ...
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0:30
Water Law 101 Episode 3: The balancing act of water management
Hydrogeologist Mike Gallagher explains the balancing act that comes from managing water in the midst of competing interest and environmental needs.
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13:30
Water Law 101, Episode 2: Why is getting a water right so hard?
Hydro-geologist Mike Gallagher explains the long and complicated process of applying for a water right in Washington.
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17:37
Water Law 101, Episode 1: What is a water right?
Once a month Mike Gallagher from our Water Resources Program discusses the basics of Washington Water Law and water rights. This month, Mike explains what a water right is.
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9:18
Frequently Asked Questions about or Water Banking Grants Pilot Program
Our water banking pilot program offers up to $14,000,000 to public entities who want to set up water banks to keep water in their local watersheds. Since announcing our water banking pilot program
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7:00
Darin Rice's November message honoring Ken Zarker
Our friend and colleague, Ken Zarker, passed away suddenly in October 2021. The world has lost a wonderful human being who dedicated himself to making the environment and his community better.
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3:34
Helping your community help small businesses
Businesses in Washington state are often befuddled by all the requirements they face from state and local governments, especially when it comes to dealing with hazardous waste. Fortunately, the state Department of Ecology created the Pollution ...
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6:56
Replacing toxic products with safer alternatives
The vast majority of chemicals that seep into our bodies and our environment come not from factories or treatment facilities, but from the very products and services we buy and use every day.Things like furniture, flooring, cookware, ch...
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11:50
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington's 2021 Drought
Ecology drought coordinator Jeff Marti answers some of the most frequently asked questions coming from the July 14 drought announcement.
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6:20
Over 50 dry cleaners have switched from toxic PERC
Washington has reached a major milestone in reducing the use of toxic substances thanks to the successful efforts of the state Department of Ecology’s
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5:54
Better living through Green Chemistry
"Better Living Through Chemistry!" entered the American lexicon thanks to the 1935 advertising slogan of a well-known chemical company. But after nearly a century of manufacturing dangerous toxic chemicals, a new perspective in the field has em...
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7:02
Press conference 12-23-2020
Press conference from 12/23/2020 on the Custer Crude Oil Derailment incident in Custer Washington the day before. Speakers include:Justin Piper -- BNSF RailwayDave Byers -- Washington Dept. of EcologySheriff Bill Elfo -- W...
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29:37
Press conference 12-22-2020
Audio starts at 3:30.Press conference from the Custer Crude Oil Derailment incident in Custer Washington 12/22/2020. Speakers include:Heather Axtman -- Washington State PatrolSheriff Bill Elfo -- Whatcom County Sheriff...
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21:08
Ecology's 50th – Zelma Maine Jackson: A quarter-century keeping tabs on Hanford
Ecology Nuclear Waste Program Manager Randy Bradbury shares the story of now-retired NWP employee Zelma Maine Jackson.
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8:20
Heather Bartlett - Events and safe start updates
Deputy Director Heather Bartlett is now sharing monthly audio recordings to help our team connected. In this episode she shares details about Ecology's November All Staff, updates on our Safe Start plan, the Veterans Day event and Combined Fund...
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4:50
Bidding a fond farewell to Nels Johnson
In late 2020, Attorney Nels Johnson with the Washington Office of the Attorney General will retire after more than 20 years of state service. He spent more than half that time working with the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste and Toxics ...
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13:41
Cut costs with Ecology's Lean/Green Program
Lean/Green manufacturers have a more streamlined operation with less impact on the environment. Today’s customers are looking for products and services that incorporate both economic and environmental sustainability. Does your business fit the ...
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6:00
Heather Bartlett – Take care during cold and flu season
As we head into the 2020 cold and flu season, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself and your family, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy Director Heather Bartlett shares tips on staying well this se...
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1:31
Virtual inspections in a socially-distant Washington
Like many state agencies, the Washington Department of Ecology has had to make some changes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly all of our 1,400 employees have been working remotely since March, but that doesn’t mean we’ve had to quit pro...
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11:33
Before and After: Navigating a changing workday – episode 5A
Join Ecology's Larry Altose with vessel inspector Greg Fitzgearld for the sounds of oil spill prevention from a social distance. Then, take a deeper dive as Larry interviews Greg about the new approaches in episode 5B.
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1:30
The worst of the worst: Removing toxic chemicals from commerce
In 2019, the Washington Legislature set aside $3.7 million for Ecology to remove the worst of the worst chemicals from commerce and help replace them with safer alternatives.Erich Ebel with Ecology's Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction...
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2:40