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A catalyst for ecosystem recovery

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

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Blog Post

What is driving ongoing contamination in Commencement Bay?

Despite more than four decades of a Superfund cleanup along Tacoma’s industrial Tideflats, research suggests that large amounts of toxic chemicals like PCBs and PBDEs may still be entering the waterway. Our affiliates at the Center for Urban Waters are co-leading a new project to identify contaminant hotspots. When it was first designated in 1983, […]

Three video thumbnails showing interviews titled 'What Collaborative Leadership Means to Me' featuring W. Ron Allen, Karen Fraser, and Kat Brigham, all dated November 1, 2024.">

Research

Voices of experience: What collaborative leadership means for natural resources

The challenges facing Puget Sound—from salmon recovery to climate resilience—demand more than technical expertise. They require leaders who can navigate complex relationships, build trust across diverse communities, and find common ground where others see only conflict. But what does this kind of collaborative leadership actually look like in practice? In partnership with TVW, the Collaborative […]

Interactive map of Columbia River Basin showing water temperatures and dam locations, with filter and download options.">

Events

October 7 roundtable about THORR, which maps river temperatures from space

The Salish Sea Science Roundtable online speaker series continues on Tuesday, October 7 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. The University of Washington’s Thermal History of Regulated Rivers (THORR) tool transforms NASA’s Landsat satellite imagery into current and historical river temperature insights. Learn how advanced data-driven techniques enable accessible mapping of water temperatures across remote streams—vital for […]