Alumni from the Institute for Marine Studies (IMS) and School of Marine Affairs (SMA), which are now the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, recently came together on behalf of The Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP). PSNERP endeavors to restore shorelines throughout Puget Sound. The group traveled to Washington D.C. for a Army Corps Civil Works Review Board (CWRB), a required step before a budget to fund the program can be submitted to Congress. PSNERP was approved by the CWRB, as quoted by Theresa Mitchell “thanks in large part to the blood, sweat and tears of the folks here – no doubt well prepared by the exceptional IMS/SMA/SMEA program!”

Curtis Tanner, IMS 1990, served as co-lead for the State on the project for almost a decade. During this time the research and fundamental documentation necessary to get the project approved was compiled. SMEA Professor Tom Leschine was a member of the Nearshore Science Team, the independent science advisory panel to PSNERP that School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) Professor Charles “Si” Simenstad lead. Brie Van Cleve, SMA 2004, conducted research that proved invaluable to the restoration “argument” that the Science Panel aided agencies in putting together. Her SMA thesis resulted in a publication co-authored by Professors Terrie Klinger, Simenstad and Leschine. Theresa Mitchell, SMA 2006, is the current project lead for the state. Jessica Winkler, SMA 1999, manages the project for the U.S. Army Corps Engineers, facilitating her agency’s review and approval of proposed restoration projects. Jennifer Quan, SMA 2000, helped deliver critical political support for the project from state and federal elected officials in her role as Government Affairs director for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project is one of the largest habitat restoration and preservation programs ever undertaken in the United States. Congratulations to PSNERP on this great news!