SMEA Associate Professor Sunny Jardine recently took students into the field to learn about culverts and other barriers that prevent fish passage. During the trip, students joined Catalina Burch, who now works with Trout Unlimited, to observe how barrier assessments are conducted to collect data for fish passage barrier inventories.
Students Elise Wilson-Leedy, Eitan Gerstle, and Erica MacKenzie, who are currently working on a capstone project examining fish passage barriers in the Tulalip Tribes’ usual and accustomed fishing areas, participated in the trip alongside QERM student Guy Bennevat Hanninovich. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Winter Speaker Series, “Building a Port for the Future.” Hosted in partnership with leaders from the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and the U.S. Coast Guard, this year’s series will explore how ports shape economic opportunity, community well-being, and environmental resilience across the region.
Running from January 15 through February 26, the series brings together senior executives, commissioners, environmental planners, SMEA alumni, and federal sector leadership for weekly conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing modern maritime systems. 

Students in SMEA 505 recently took their learning beyond the classroom with a field trip to Fishermen’s Terminal. Led by Terrie Klinger, professor at SMEA, the visit offered students an opportunity to explore one of Seattle’s historic working waterfronts.
During the trip, students learned about the terminal’s history, its management, and the important role it plays in supporting the regional fishing industry. 

A recent publication in PARKS Journal examines how cities around the world can better protect biodiversity through stronger recognition and management of urban protected areas (UPAs). The article was developed in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Commission on Protected Areas Urban Conservation Strategies Specialist Group and was featured in a special issue connected to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. 

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs celebrated the Class of 2025, honoring 21 students who earned their Master of Marine Affairs (MMA) degrees. These graduates now join an esteemed community of nearly 1,000 alumni and world-class policymakers dedicated to building a resilient future in marine and environmental affairs.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from SMEA Director Dr. 

The 2025 capstone and thesis projects at SMEA showcased a diverse range of interdisciplinary research addressing important environmental and social issues. Capstone teams collaborated with external partners to tackle real-world challenges, from enhancing environmental justice in flood management to exploring community benefit agreements for equitable renewable energy expansion. Our thesis-track students engaged in rigorous, independent research with topics ranging from marine science to policy analysis. 

Describe your experience in applying to and selecting a graduate program.

Applying to graduate school was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Not necessarily because it was hard to put together an application, but because of the mental blocks that paralyzed me from even beginning. It took the pandemic, the realization that life was too short to not pursue your passions, and a LOT of therapy to get me to even apply. 

Congratulations to our soon-to-be graduates for the 2025 theses and capstone presentations! 

Why did you decide to pursue a master’s in 
marine affairs?

To expand my knowledge of the different industries related to marine affairs and ecology.

Describe your experience in applying to and selecting a graduate program.

I had researched a variety of schools but had my heart set on going to UW. I had applied to a few programs at the school but SMEA was my top choice

How did you first hear about SMEA? 

Please join us on Friday, May 16 and 23, as some of our soon-to-be graduates share their theses and capstone work.
Presentations will be followed by a short Q&A.
Join us in person in MAR 168, or over Zoom:
https://washington.zoom.us/j/96145092750?pwd=FuVYbVxI0fbi37CaFV6aaiaOprdbaS.1
Meeting ID: 961 4509 2750
Passcode: 292533
We look forward to having you join us!
We look forward to having you join us!