The lawsuit also challenges a rule attached to the threatened listing that exempts agricultural activities from liability under the Endangered Species Act, a rule the center says was enacted although crop conversion is one of the leading threats to the lark.

Photo by Tom Koerner/USFWS

Founded in 1989, Conservation Northwest is a small non-profit of around 22-30 staff who work tirelessly to preserve the habitats and animal species of the Pacific Northwest. Their mission is to "connect the big landscapes, restore iconic wildlife, and protect our natural heritage for future generations." With a community of roughly 4,000 supporters and over 18,000 activists and online followers, Conservation Northwest is a force of nature in itself and a worthy cause to get involved with.

"Once they get exposed to the creosote it goes into the food chain, through that avenue it makes its way all the way up to our whales," DNR Aquatics Restoration Manager Christopher Robertson said. "When they do look at the toxins that are inside of whale blubber, PAH which is the primary toxin from creosote, is one of the primary ones that's found there, so it really does impact the whole food web, from the base up."

Working alongside local and state government entities, they monitor and patrol the waters for pollution, and advocate for a cleaner Puget Sound. They also bring together and recognize other non-profit organizations at major events, creating a strong network of environmentally minded groups to set a high standard of care for Tacoma and beyond.

Photo by Sarah Arnoff/USFWS

Photo by David Seibold

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