Man builds solar bike to get out of the house

OLYMPIA — It's hard to ignore Jerry Budelman when he's pedaling up Harrison Avenue on Olympia's west side.

Environment briefs for Oct. 6

• Open house targets water pollution
• People for Puget Sound has kids events
• Wolf Haven now on winter schedule
• Nominations sought for advisory council
• Loomis to speak on salmon recovery

Recovery option is quite useful

Most residents are aware they can take garbage to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center at 2418 Hogum Bay Road N.E. in Lacey. That's the "waste" part of the facility's name. But not everyone is aware of the "recovery" opportunities at the location.

South Sound marine life -- Oct. 6

Ostracod

Kennedy Creek preserve opens

OYSTER BAY — The Kennedy Creek estuary is small in size, but it's a high-value habitat when it comes to shorebirds, chum salmon, raptors and salt marsh.

Research sheds light on local bumblebees

OLYMPIA — The world of South Sound bumblebees is better understood today thanks to an eight-month field research project by Olympia naturalist Janet Partlow.

Environment briefs for Sept. 29

• PSE budgets millions for line cleanup
• County offers classes on recycling, reducing
• Free workshop to cover conservation
• Share your opinion of marine sanctuary
• Kennewick company gets energy grant

Slimy snailfish (Liparis mucosus)

The slimy snailfish has an unusual anatomical feature — a large sucker on its belly.

Smart Cars good in limited capacity

Dear EarthTalk: I've suddenly been seeing a lot of those tiny "Smart Cars" around. Who makes them, and what is their fuel efficiency? And I'm all for fuel efficiency, but are these cars safe? David Yu, Bend, Ore.

Recycle Days are popular events

LACEY — More than 130 TVs, 725 tires and 110 computer monitors — and that was before lunch.