SMEA Student and Program Manager at Quiet Sound, Shares Program Successes Leading to Prestigious Award
Sara Adams, SMEA student and Program Manager at Quiet Sound, highlights the achievements that earned her program a Sustainable Century Award for Environmental Education and Outreach from the Port of Seattle.
“In May, Quiet Sound received a Sustainable Century Award for Environmental Education and Outreach from the Port of Seattle for protecting Southern Resident killer whales through the Admiralty Inlet voluntary vessel slowdown. In the 2023-24 Voluntary Vessel Slowdown Results, 71% of commercial vessels slowed when transiting through the designated area, leading to a 50% reduction in underwater noise intensity, including in the frequencies utilized by the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Underwater noise is identified as one of the top three threats to the Southern Resident killer whales as it interferes with their ability to hunt, forage and communicate.”
About Quiet Sound
Quiet Sound is a program under Washington Maritime Blue, dedicated to mitigating the impacts of large commercial vessels on Southern Resident Killer Whales. The program’s goal is to reduce acoustic impacts of large commercial vessels on these endangered whales in Washington.
About the Sustainable Century Award
The Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Century Awards annually celebrate the achievements of customers, tenants, nonprofits, and business partners in environmental sustainability and equity leadership. The awards cover various categories, including Environmental Performance, Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Innovation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
The Environmental Education and Outreach award, which Quiet Sound received, is given to organizations that significantly increase environmental awareness and stewardship. This award highlights efforts that raise awareness of environmental issues and practices, contributing to long-term benefits for the environment, economy, and community.
Other SMEA alumni integral to this achievement: Rachel Aronson (Program Director, Quiet Sound), Sandra Kilroy (Senior Director of Environment, Sustainability, and Engineering, Port of Seattle), and Sarah Ogier (Director of Maritime Environment and Sustainability, Port of Seattle).
Congratulations, Quiet Sound!
