Because all living things leave genetic traces in their environments, samples of water, soil, or air are vast storehouses of biological information in the form of environmental DNA (eDNA). SMEA professor Ryan Kelly has worked for more than a decade to make this potential goldmine of information useful for environmental management, making it possible to measure and monitor biodiversity at unprecedented resolution and scale. 

Location for all talks:On campus: Fishery Science Building (FSH), 1122 NE Boat Street, room 203Zoom:  NOTE: you will need to type in the password to enter the seminarVideo link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/92079340874Meeting ID: 920 7934 0874Passcode: seminarAudio-only option: +1 206 337 9723 US (Seattle)Meeting ID: 920 7934 0874

Thursday, October 12, 12-1 pm
Melissa Parks (she/her), Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Washington – School of Marine and Environmental Affairs and NOAA – Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Talk title: Exploring the Influence of Multispecies Interactions on Small Farmers’ Perceptions of and Responses to Climate Change in Oregon
Bio: Melissa Parks is an applied anthropologist researching human interactions with the environment and food systems in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. 

Seattle Times: Native nations on front lines of climate change share knowledge and find support at intensive camps
Tribes suffer some of the most severe impacts of climate change in the U.S. but often have the fewest resources to respond. This inspiring story shows how tribes are working together to make a difference.  SMEA student Michael Buck is prominent in pictures and video.  

 
On June 28, 2023, Dean Tolstoy and Director Dolšak hosted Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard and SMEA alumna (MMA ’00). For reference, Admiral Fagan is the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), overseeing operations of more than 50,000 members and a fleet of 259 cutters, 200 aircraft, and 1,600 boats. Admiral Fagan was in Seattle to preside over the change of command ceremony for Healy, an active icebreaker homeported in Seattle. 

SMEA Associate Professor Anne Beaudreau was recently featured on Juneau’s KTOO Juneau Afternoon discussion on selective sports fisheries for marked hatchery salmon alongside presenters from Juneau Libraries and SMEAKMG. The full episode is available here. 

The Ocean Nexus Center, directed by SMEA Professor of Practice Yoshi Ota, has introduced a new blog focusing on human dimensions of ocean space. New articles are posted every Friday through July 31st.  You can read the first few articles at the links below:
Introducing Human Dimensions of Oceans: From a Sociological Perspective
Introducing Environmental Sociology and its Importance for Ocean Space

Degrowth, Environmental Sociology, and the Blue Economy
More than Mermaids: Reclaiming the Lost Feminist Voice in the Sociology of Oceans
Aquaculture and Political Economy: Food System as Social Structure
  

SMEA Associate Professor Ryan Kelly and UW’s College of the Environment Senior Communications Director John Meyer were featured in King5’s Evening segment last month. The segment highlights Northwest life and focused on Kelly and Meyer’s book, Between the Tides in Washington and Oregon: Exploring Beaches and Tidepools. The book, co-authored with SMEA professor Terrie Klinger, is described by King5 as, “…the ultimate guide to exploring different areas at low tide.”
You can read the full article and view the news clip here. 

SMEA Director and Professor Nives Dolsak has co-authored a journal article published in PLOS Climate. The article titled, “Varieties of just transition: Public support in South Africa’s Mpumalanga coal community for different policy options” reviews public support for “Just Transition” (JT) through four policy types: individual compensation, financial support to local governments, individual reskilling, and upgrading local infrastructure. The primary focus is on South Africa for its large coal mining sector, and features in-depth interviews with over 50 coal miners, Eskom power planter workers, and community members within the Mpumalanga province. 

SMEA Assistant Professor P. Joshua Griffin has authored a piece in The Conversation titled, “Arctic sea ice loss and fierce storms leave Kivalina’s volunteer search and rescue fighting to protect their island from climate disasters”. This article addresses Kivalina, Alaska’s efforts to adapt to sea-level rise, the continuing loss of sea ice, and the increasing ferocity of Arctic storms. The piece also provides an assessment of the cost of moving vulnerable Arctic communities as the effects of climate change continue to impact Arctic shores. 

SMEA Associate Professor Sunny Jardine has been named President-elect of the North American Association of Fisheries Economists (NAAFE) for a four-year term. NAAFE is an association which influences the shape of fisheries management and policies in the US and elsewhere. The primary goal of the association is encouraging open communication among fisheries economists. You can learn more about NAAFE here. Please join us in congratulating Sunny!