Central Region

Ecology has four regional offices. The Central region includes Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties.
Ecology has four regional offices. The Central region includes Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties.

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Ring in the New Year with the black-eyed hermit crab
The black-eyed hermit is never far from home, because it carries it along. Hermit crabs find protection from predators inside empty snail shells.
Making a stink: the Pacific stinkworm
When disturbed, Travisia pupa, the stinkworm, as its name suggests, gives off a pungent odor similar to rotting garlic.
Sound-to-table? The sweet potato sea cucumber is a produce impersonator
With its smooth, plump body, this month’s critter bears a resemblance to items you might find in a grocery store. Meet Molpadia intermedia, the Sweet Potato Sea Cucumber.
Riddle me this: What is a glistenworm?
The glistenworm is a shell-less, footless mollusk that burrows into marine sediments by digging with the shield around its mouth.
Ocean Acidification is real

Let’s be clear. Ocean acidification is real. Determining the causes, impacts, and identifying potential solutions are high priorities for our agency and the state.

The dumbbell worm is no dummy
The dumbbell worm is tiny, ranging from 15 to 20 millimeters long and about 5 millimeters wide. It belongs to class Polychaeta, within the phylum Annelida.
Dust buster: A plan to manage dust in and near Wallula

Near the Tri-Cities, southwest winds pick up dust and send it through Kennewick and into Wallula at times.

Central and Eastern Washington: Prepare for dust storm season

Every spring through fall, residents in Central and Eastern Washington are faced with the threat of dust storms.

The cactus worm is on point and looking sharp
This month’s critter may look like a cross between a worm and a cactus, but it is actually neither.
The seed shrimp are more than meets the eye
This month we bring you an entire group of nifty little critters collectively known as the ostracods, or seed shrimp.