MEDIA ADVISORY
April 9, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Hyde, 360.819.3045, kevin.hyde@psp.wa.gov 

Science Panel to discuss an inclusive knowledge network

The Puget Sound Partnership's Science Panel will meet on Wednesday, April 14, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the April 14-15 Science Panel meetings will be virtual Zoom meetings for all participants and the public. 

For the April 14 session, join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/94816998657?pwd=Q2RNZi80TXlkOHlKcUxwMXo1eTNxUT09 Meeting ID: 948 1699 8657, Password: 403334.

For the April 15 session, join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/91612486582?pwd=S3pBVnI0R0MydzkzdzlSOUhlbzRDUT09 Meeting ID: 916 1248 6582, Password: 939116.

Full Zoom instructions are included in the meeting agenda, which is available here: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php

Meeting highlights include:

• A presentation for discussion about 2021-2023 Puget Sound Scientific Research Investigations. A sub-group of the Science Panel has worked with staff to announce the availability of funding for the 2021-2023 biennium for investigations to address the priority science work actions in the Science Work Plan (SWP) for 2020-2024. Presentation by Scott Redman, director of the Science and Evaluation program at the Puget Sound Partnership, Katherine Wyatt, assistant science director at the Puget Sound Partnership, John Stein, chair of the Science Panel, Ken Currens, co-vice chair of the Science Panel, Nick Bond, co-vice chair of the Science Panel, Kelly Biedenweg, member of the Science Panel, and Joel Baker, member of the Science Panel. 
  
  
• A presentation for discussion about the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project, which works to determine the primary factors affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea. This session will include a summary of the findings of the past seven years of research regarding the primary factors influencing survival of juvenile Chinook, coho, and steelhead in the Salish Sea marine environment. Presentation by Michael Schmidt, deputy director of Long Live the Kings.
  
  
• A presentation for discussion about broader recommendation A in the Science Work Plan for 2020-2024: "Collaboratively broaden and improve the knowledge network that supports Puget Sound ecosystem recovery." This session, which is scheduled for both the April 14 and April 15 meetings, will include discussion of how the Science Panel, Partnership staff, and others might advance this recommendation. Presentation by Scott Redman, director of the Science and Evaluation program at the Puget Sound Partnership, Katherine Wyatt, assistant science director at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Colin Grier, member of the Science Panel. 
  
  
• A presentation for decision regarding the Puget Sound Partnership's target-setting strategy.  On April 6, 2021, the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council approved an approach to setting targets for Puget Sound ecosystem recovery. This session will include a request to the Science Panel to engage with identifying suitable candidate targets for a subset of Vital Signs and Outcomes and creating a Vital Sign-Outcome matrix and scoping scientific inputs needed to support target setting. Presentation by Kirsten Feifel, adaptive systems manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Scott Redman, director of the Science and Evaluation program at the Puget Sound Partnership.
  
  
• A presentation for discussion about a project to evaluate Puget Sound Shellfish Recovery actions. The purpose of the project is to gather recommendations to improve and align regional shellfish recovery action effectiveness. This session will include an update about the project's findings. Presentation by Abby Barnes, sediment quality unit supervisor at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Ross Strategic. 
  
  

The full Science Panel agenda is available here: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php. 

If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please notify Board Policy Specialist Jillian Reitz at 360.742.2936.

About the Science Panel

The Science Panel's expertise and advice are critical to the Puget Sound Partnership’s efforts to develop a comprehensive, science-based plan to restore Puget Sound. The members, appointed by the Leadership Council, are chosen from the top scientists in Washington State.

About the Puget Sound Partnership

The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency formed to lead the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. Working with hundreds of governments, tribes, scientists, businesses, and nonprofits, the Partnership mobilizes partner action around a common agenda, advances Sound investments, and tracks progress to optimize recovery. For more information, go to www.psp.wa.gov.