Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Recycled Arts Festival has won two awards from the Washington Festival and Events Association for benefiting the community and best overall event.

The awards were presented to Sally Fisher, an outreach specialist in Environmental Services who is the event’s founder and coordinator, at a Tuesday ceremony in Olympia.

One award, the Community Impact Award, was given for having the most positive impact on a community of any Washington festival or event in 2015.

The second, the Grand Summit Award, is the association’s top honor. It was… Read More

Vancouver, WA ‒ Ducklings and chicks are popular at this time of year. But handling and nuzzling them is a good way to acquire a Salmonella infection, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach pain.

“Children are especially at risk of illness because they are less likely to wash their hands and have more frequent hand-to-mouth contact than adults,” said Clark County Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick. “We suggest a trip to the zoo or a stuffed animal as a better springtime gift for your child.”

Symptoms of Salmonella infection begin one to three… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business program will host its fifth annual Green Business Showcase from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Fort Vancouver’s historic Artillery Barracks, 600 Hathaway Road.

A new component of this year’s showcase will be presentation of the first annual Green Business of the Year Award. This award will be given to the Clark County Green Business that has best demonstrated efforts to continually reduce its environmental impact and improve practices over time.

Fourteen businesses applied for the award, with projects ranging from:

… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business Program will host a Morning Blend networking event 8-9 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at New Seasons Market, 2100b S.E. 164th Ave., Suite 101.

The Morning Blend event provides an opportunity to network and discuss green business efforts in a relaxed setting. Staff of New Seasons Market will start the March 17 event with a brief presentation about their green efforts.

“New Seasons has been a great host in the past and its zero-waste model serves as an excellent example of good environmental stewardship,” said Don Benton, Environmental… Read More

Vancouver, WA ‒ Clark County Public Health has lifted an advisory warning people to avoid contact with water in a mile-long stretch of Lacamas Creek. Sampling by the city of Camas indicates the water no longer poses a threat to the health of people and animals.

The stretch of Lacamas Creek runs between Dwyer Creek and Lacamas Lake.

On Feb. 26, Public Health issued an advisory to avoid water contact in and around Lacamas Lake following a sewage spill in the 4700 block of Northwest Pacific Rim Boulevard. 

Vancouver, WA ‒ Clark County Public Health has lifted an advisory warning people and their pets to avoid contact with water in Lacamas Lake and Dwyer Creek. Sampling by the city of Camas indicates the water no longer poses a threat to the health of people and animals.

But health officials have left in place a no-contact advisory for about a mile-long stretch of Lacamas Creek between Dwyer Creek and Lacamas Lake. Sampling there still shows high levels of bacteria.

Camas will continue to monitor water conditions in Lacamas Creek. Public Health… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business program will host its fifth annual Green Business Showcase from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Fort Vancouver’s historic Artillery Barracks, 600 Hathaway Road.

The 2016 showcase will include a panel discussion by LSW Architects on “Green by Design” and presentation of the first annual Green Business of the Year Award. Appetizers will be served and music will be provided by Tony Smiley, a Vancouver electro-acoustic musician.

The free event is open to all Clark County Green Business members and any business interested in… Read More

Vancouver, WA — Clark County Public Health is advising that people and pets should avoid water contact in and around Lacamas Lake. A spill occurred near 4700 NW Pacific Rim Blvd. in Camas and the leak was repaired early this afternoon.

People and their pets should avoid water contact from the area of the spill and the path of the water downstream. This includes Dwyer Creek, Lacamas Creek, and Lacamas Lake. Public Health staff have posted warning signs in affected areas.

The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is coordinating the response to the spill.… Read More

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Green Business Program will host a Morning Blend networking event 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at Boomerang Generosity Shop and Coffee House, 808 Main St.

The Morning Blend event provides an opportunity to network and discuss green business efforts in a relaxed setting. Staff from Boomerang will start the Feb. 18 event with a brief presentation about their nonprofit.

“The name says it all; what goes to Boomerang goes back into the community,” said Don Benton, Environmental Services director. “It will be exciting to learn about their business… Read More

Vancouver, WA – This month, Clark County Environmental Services will sponsor a three-week challenge to promote waste reduction and sustainable living.

County residents are encouraged to sign up online to take the WasteBusters pledge and decrease what goes to landfills by committing to one of three waste-busting actions:

• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store
• Use reusable beverage containers for to-go drinks
• Designate one day a week to eat leftovers

Each of these actions may seem relatively small, but they can make a huge… Read More