A catalyst for ecosystem recovery

The University of Washington Puget Sound Institute provides analysis, research and communication to inform and connect the science of ecosystem protection.

The big picture: Our comprehensive approach

Ecosystem management in Puget Sound has become increasingly complex. Scientists now recognize that what happens on the land is intricately tied to the health of the water. We face climate change and unprecedented population growth, and researchers have identified thousands of different human-caused pressures on the ecosystem. Given limited resources, how can managers and policymakers make informed decisions about where to focus their recovery efforts?

More: About PSI

 

The Puget Sound Institute provides expertise across three major areas:

1. Science for policy

Technical assistance to resource managers and policymakers
PSI and our partners receive major funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to support and enhance new strategies for improving the health of Puget Sound.

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United States Environmental Protection Agency

Puget Sound Partnership

human wellbeing indicator wheel
The human wellbeing indicator wheel was developed to provide a social science perspective on ecosystem management.

2. Research

Scientific studies
Our expertise is strongly grounded in original research. Since 2010, PSI scientists along with our collaborators at the Center for Urban Waters have published on a range of topics, including the ecology of forage fish, stormwater, microplastics, social science and emerging contaminants.

More: Research and products

3. Communication

Trusted, decision-critical information
We bring together scientific findings from around the region through synthesis, study panels, technical peer-reviews and publications such as the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound and Salish Sea Currents.

More: Connecting the science

Browse: Encyclopedia of Puget Sound

A collection of Salish Sea Currents printed flyers.
Salish Sea Currents stories are published online in the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound and also printed as annual booklets and flyers.

 

Recent blog posts

Western Washington wildfire: What are we facing this year and beyond?

May 22, 2020
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Trying to predict the likelihood that Western Washington will be scorched with severe forest fires this summer must be an overwhelming job for our region’s…

The Cougar Creek Fire in Klickitat County, Washington, 2015. Photo: USFS

Fire danger returning to Western Washington

May 20, 2020
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The National Weather Service is predicting a warmer and drier than average summer this year in Washington, prompting officials to brace for an early start…

New steelhead strategy would include increased fishing and more hatcheries

May 15, 2020
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Strategies to keep steelhead fishing alive while restoring steelhead populations to rivers in Puget Sound are spelled out in the “Quicksilver Portfolio” (PDF 2.3 mb),…

Young artists show creativity in a plea to reduce harmful trash in the ocean

May 7, 2020
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Student artists from across the country are calling attention to the hazards of human trash that washes into the ocean, killing sea creatures large and…

Washington has received big money from federal wetlands grants program

May 1, 2020
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A little-known funding program to protect and restore coastal wetlands across the United States has been very, very good for Washington state. Over the past…

Distinguished Research Award recipient Ed Kolodziej.

Kolodziej wins UWT’s 2020 Distinguished Research Award

April 30, 2020
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Puget Sound Institute collaborator Ed Kolodziej is the recipient of this year’s University of Washington Tacoma Distinguished Research Award for his work to identify toxic…

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