A question in yesterday’s Surfside candidate forum asked about the science and whether it was peer reviewed. Across the Pacific Northwest, urban forestry plans are increasingly guided by Best Available Science (BAS) rather than aesthetics alone. Scientific research from the … Continue reading Urban Forestry Plans and Best Available Science: Why Communities Grow Tree Canopy
The smell of morning traffic used to be Maya’s alarm clock. Living downtown, she had long made peace with the haze, the noise, and the constant hum of the interstate. But the moment she found out she was pregnant, everything … Continue reading Chapter 1: Before Birth – The First Gift of Trees
Nature’s Path to Health and Happiness explores the growing scientific evidence that trees are far more than beautiful features of the landscape—they are essential partners in human health. Through stories that follow people from before birth through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, … Continue reading Trees: Nature’s Path to Health and Happiness
A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on June 8, 2026, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuations across parts of the region. The United States National Tsunami Warning Center reported that the earthquake does not … Continue reading Powerful 7.8 Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines; NO Tsunami Warning for West Coast
For centuries, trees have been valued for their beauty, shade, and ecological importance. Increasingly, however, scientists are finding that trees may offer something even more profound: longer, healthier lives. Over the past two decades, researchers from around the world have … Continue reading Do Trees Help People Live Longer? What the World’s Largest Studies Reveal
When discussions turn to trees, people often focus on scenery, wildlife, or property values. Yet for thousands of Pacific County residents, trees provide something far more important: improved health, greater accessibility, and a better quality of life. Nearly one-quarter (23.2%) … Continue reading Trees and Disability: Why Tree Canopy Matters in Pacific County
Pacific County, Washington, lies along the Cascadia Subduction Zone—a fault line capable of producing devastating earthquakes and tsunamis. Being prepared can make a critical difference in survival and recovery during such disasters. Understanding the Risk The Cascadia Subduction Zone runs … Continue reading Tsunami and Earthquake Preparedness in Pacific County, Washington
Ocean Park and Surfside, Washington, have one of the oldest populations on the Washington coast. Community survey using Election Buddy with 82 residents responding, where data showed that the majority of respondents were above 65: More than 70% of respondents … Continue reading Seniors, Chronic Disease, Neurological Symptoms, and the Importance of Trees for health in Ocean Park and Surfside
The aerial comparison between 2018 and 2024 around Seabreeze Lake in Surfside, Washington, reveals a dramatic reduction in tree canopy, with an estimated loss approaching one-third of the original canopy coverage in some areas surrounding the lake. The results are … Continue reading Climate Threats Intensify as Tree Canopy Around Seabreeze Lake Declines
For seniors living in coastal communities, the statistical risk of being injured or killed from falls caused by potholes, uneven pavement, flooded roads, and poor walking conditions is dramatically higher than the risk of being struck by a falling tree … Continue reading Comparing Senior Injuries From Potholes Versus Being Hit by Falling Tree Branches
Surfside Washington News 