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. 

Sean Hastings is a leader in marine policy and conservation, working at the intersection of ocean management and industry collaboration. He is a co-founder of Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies, a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction program operating off the California Coast. The Initiative partners with county air districts, national marine sanctuaries, and the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation to encourage shipping companies to slow down in key areas, reducing fatal ship strikes on endangered whales while also cutting air pollution. 

Faculty from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will host an upcoming workshop focused on the role of public comment in shaping policy. “The Power of Public Comment” will explore how science and research can be used to inform and strengthen public participation in policymaking.
The workshop will feature Ryan Kelly, PhD, JD, professor and associate director at SMEA—along with Lauren Kuehne, MS. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs is pleased to announce Rear Admiral Steve Metruck, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), and Executive Director of the Port of Seattle, has joined us as Professor of Practice in addition to his role as Executive Director of the Port of Seattle.
With a distinguished over forty-year career spanning maritime leadership and public service, Metruck brings extensive experience as both a U.S. 

Now more than ever, students at the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) are committed to making a real-world impact. SMEA students are critical thinkers with diverse lived experiences and a passion for the environment. Our graduates are equipped to seize opportunities and resolve complex environmental problems in our local communities, nation, and around the globe.
Make a gift today to the SMEA Graduate Student Fellowship Fund. 

The School of Marine and Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Monday, September 29, at 2:30 pm. Please see below for location details:
MAR Room 268  or via Zoom
A copy of the meeting agenda,9-29-25 Faculty Meeting Agenda is provided. Please contact Hailie Borges (hrb25@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

The international community has taken an important step toward protecting ocean ecosystems beyond national borders with the BBNJ Treaty, the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. The agreement expands the global ocean governance framework established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and focuses specifically on conserving biodiversity on the High Seas. 

SMEA Research Scientist Chris Sergeant is in northern British Columbia this month, conducting fieldwork and engaging with local and online audiences.

Presentation at Yukon University: Chris and colleague Brittany Milner (Salmon Watersheds Lab, Simon Fraser University) will present on Monday at noon, with a virtual attendance option. More details: Yukon Science Institute

CBC Radio Interview: Chris and Brittany recently completed an interview for CBC’s The Weekender, airing Sunday morning in Canada and available afterward online: CBC Listen

This outreach highlights SMEA’s commitment to connecting marine and freshwater research with communities and the broader public. 

Erick Dowell, a 2024 graduate of SMEA, is currently a Washington Sea Grant Fellow (WSG) working with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. His work sits at the intersection of marine restoration and sustainable agriculture, building innovative partnerships across land and sea.
Through his fellowship, Erick collaborates with shellfish farmers to design harvest and processing methods for a nuisance seaweed, Ulva (Commonly known as sea lettuce), which can foul aquaculture gear and negatively impact shellfish production. 

SMEA faculty P. Joshua Griffin and Erendira Aceves‑Bueno, along with collaborators, co‑authored a new article in Restoration Ecology titled “Environmental justice in ecosystem restoration frameworks.” This research provides a systematic review of global restoration frameworks and reveals a significant gap: most current approaches to ecosystem restoration do not explicitly integrate environmental justice principles.
The article not only identifies this gap but also proposes a novel restoration framework that centers on recognition, procedural justice, and community empowerment throughout the restoration planning and implementation process.