PRESS RELEASE: Climate Impacts on Olympic Peninsula Forests poster field guide premiers

May 17, 2010

Climate Impacts on Olympic Peninsula Forests Premiers

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Timothy Colman, publisher
Good Nature Publishing: 206 622 9522

What Will Olympic Peninsula Forests Look Like in 100 Years? 

“Climate Impacts on Olympic Peninsula Forests” vividly portrays the ongoing effects of climate change on our beautiful native plants and animals, through the interpretation of award winning fine artist of John C. Pitcher.


May 17, 2010 – Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula  contains several distinct ecosystems and supports biodiversity of species that are found nowhere else on the planet.  Current scientific data suggests that forests in the Olympic Peninsula will experience a number of climate-related changes, including snowpack decline, increased tree establishment in meadows, threats to native species, and increased wildfire activity. 

Good Nature Publishing is proud to present the first edition poster of “Climate Impacts on Olympic Peninsula Forests.” Varying from the usual drastic-impact portrayals depicting piles of trash and helpless animals choking on cigarette butts, Pitcher relays an artist's impression of climate impacts based on best science available. 

“I wanted John Pitcher to make art showing climate impacts on Northwest forests over next 100 years:  snow pack melting, lower elevation flora and fauna chasing food and water up hill, increased invasive species and forest fires," said Good Nature Owner, Timothy Colman. “The art is not Dante's Inferno, but a reality check for people interested in learning about the way climate is affecting our fellow travelers in the plant and animal world.  From Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett and Anacortes -- all of western Washington, we see the Olympic Peninsula every day.  What a gift of light and beauty!  I think we need to look beyond the snow packed peaks, though.  The artwork is designed to be beautiful and get you wondering: What is happening to flora and fauna on the Olympic Peninsula now and in the future?"

"How do we help plants and animals adapt to the relatively fast changing climate?”  

While seemingly subtle, the ongoing climate change will inevitably raise seasonal temperatures up to one degree per decade throughout the 21^st century.  Snow packs will move higher up the mountains, causing shifts in the tree line, a drastic change in the lifecycle of the Olympic Marmot (found only on the Olympic Peninsula), and increased probability of wildfires throughout the region. 

Colman uses John Pitcher’s realistic art and a full narrative as a way to educate citizens living both on and off the Olympic Peninsula. “The poster helps people by asking each of us to consider the impacts to life in our back yard." With the use of native plants such as the Magenta Paintbrush and Subalpine Fir, viewers observe the climate changes to the Northwest region starting in Summer 2010 through the end of the century.  

Invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed, blackberry and other invasives can establish themselves now that winter snow packs melt sooner.  Lower elevation native flora and fauna are on the move, chasing food and water in higher elevations. 

Honing in on a particular landscape is one of the most effective strategies for understanding the projected effects of climate change.  This place-based approach makes the scope and anticipated effects of change manageable and transforms climate change from a remote global phenomenon to one with personal relevance and immediacy. By using the familiar landscape, Colman hopes to involve local communities. 

Good Nature Publishing is a green arts publisher in Seattle Washington, since 1996.  Retail/Wholesale is available See website for all bioregionally significant art.  

Please refer to our “Treemendous Teachers” offer for environmental educators, conservation district outreach, and master gardeners.


Poster size: 36” x 24”
Printed in the US with soy based inks on FSC certified paper 1000 # book wt paper.


Art available in paper or laminated or custom framed. 


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