MEDIA ADVISORY
October 8, 2021

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

Science Panel to discuss and explore alternative future scenarios analysis

The Puget Sound Partnership's Science Panel will meet on Wednesday, October 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, October 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the October 13-14 Science Panel meetings will be virtual Zoom meetings for all participants and the public. 

For the October 13 session, join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/93136193964?pwd=R2d3OVN6RUUrUFZtSHVTQWtzRzBsQT09 Meeting ID: 931 3619 3964, Password: 713938.

For the October 14 session, join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/98873896459?pwd=RGRmK0xqczcwZlQzQ0FCVlVDOHFodz09 Meeting ID: 988 7389 6459, Password: 609836.

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 and discussion about identifying actions to include in the 2022-2026 Action Agenda. Two of three key components for the 2022-2026 Action Agenda have been approved by the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council: desired outcomes and strategies to achieve those outcomes. Actions describe the activities that will be a shared focus for implementing each strategy for the four years from 2022-2026. Partnership staff will update the Panel on opportunities to participate in identifying actions to include in the 2022-2026 Action Agenda update. Partnership staff will also invite the Panel to begin discussing its role in implementing this Action Agenda. Presentation by Dan Stonington, planning manager at the Puget Sound Partnership. 
  
  
• A presentation for decision about draft targets for Puget Sound ecosystem recovery. The Leadership Council requested that the Partnership update or create new targets for some Vital Sign indicators and some Action Agenda Desired Outcomes to be included in the 2022-2026 Action Agenda. Twelve Vital Sign indicators and Action Agenda Desired Outcomes were identified for early target setting, and this session will include discussion and possible approval of four draft targets. Presentation by Kirsten Feifel, adaptive systems manager at the Puget Sound Partnership.
  
  
• A presentation on Salish Sea examples of integrating western and Indigenous knowledge. This session will include an update on the Inclusive Knowledge Network, a presentation on the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community's clam garden project, and a presentation about building a biocultural restoration community through the Cross-Pacific Indigenous Aquaculture Collaborative. Presentation by Melissa Poe, social scientist with Washington Sea Grant, Alana Quintasket, senator in the Swinomish Tribal Senate, and Courtney Greiner, marine ecologist with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. 
  
  
• A cross-boards workshop on alternative future scenarios analysis. The workshop will include a review and discussion of the following three areas of recent project progress: (1) the list of driving forces affecting the future of Puget Sound and recovery efforts (drivers); (2) the list of metrics that will be used to compare scenarios; and (3) the initial modeled results of the Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario, which shows what can be expected if Puget Sound recovery efforts continue their current trajectory. The workshop will also include an exploration of alternative-to-the-BAU future scenarios (alternative scenarios) by considering different combinations of important and uncertain drivers. The workshop will be led by Elizabeth McManus, principal at Ross Strategic, and John Bolte, professor and department head, biological and ecological engineering, Oregon State University. 
  
  
• A presentation on salmon marine survival. This session will include a presentation on research and modeling projects related to salmon marine survival and a discussion of findings that are relevant to salmon management and conservation. Presentation by Neala Kendall, research scientist at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. 
  
  

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 Boards Policy Advisor 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.