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The word “environment” has become to some a political word. In the last four years the presidential administration in Washington dismantled many environmental policies and rules. For instance, the Obama-era Clean Power Plan was replaced, the Endangered Species Act was redefined and the Oil and Natural Gas extraction ban was lifted. The Coal Ash rule, which regulates the disposal of toxic coal waste, was weakened and mercury and Clean Air standards were revised.

During this time a coal lobbyist and an oil and gas industry ally were leading the Environmental Protection Agency. Some of the measures have failed to stand up in court and were not implemented, but others might take months or years to be reversed.

The “environment” is where we live, our houses, yards, forests and beaches. If we want to keep these healthy for us, we have to watch our impact on them and make changes if we have to.

The Biden Administration has set a dramatically different course, in order to protect it on a federal basis. Some States have also updated their regulations to help slow climate change.

There are also many environmental organizations, including the Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Association and the Sierra Club that are dedicated to help conserve and preserve our environment.

Many local citizens have formed groups that are dedicated to making a difference. They help to preserve public lands by researching, educating and working hands on to restore and improve them. The Skagit Audubon Society, Skagit Land Trust, Friends of the Skagit County, the Skagitonians and Friends of the Anacortes Forest are such organizations.

On a smaller scale, we can do the same in our backyards. We can avoid using pesticides, herbicides and other poisons that might end up in the water and air and kill wildlife and native plants.

When things go out of balance, it is usually not nature’s fault, but our interference with nature.

Let us appreciate the environment that we live in and preserve it.