Muckin’ around: An undergraduate fieldtrip to explore seagrass ecosystems

During low tide at Padilla Bay on a bright day in early May, you could find a class of UW undergraduates exploring the largest contiguous seagrass ecosystem in the lower 48. Why? To collect data to assess the habitat value of seagrass.

A group of people walk across mudflats with eelgrass, under blue skies with sparse white clouds.
Mark Stone, UW Photography
Undergraduates exploring the largest contiguous seagrass ecosystem in the lower 48 at Padilla Bay.

An estuary in Puget Sound at the saltwater edge of the Skagit River Delta, Padilla Bay has nearly 8,000 acres of eelgrass (a type of seagrass), which becomes totally exposed during low tide. These eelgrass meadows, nestled in the mudflats of Padilla Bay, were the location for a visit by the FISH 312: Aquatic Ecology class, made up of juniors and seniors at UW SAFS.

Hands hold a small crab, above eelgrass.
Mark Stone, UW Photography
Eelgrass meadows act as nurseries for a multitude of species.

Led by Carter Smith, SAFS Assistant Professor, students chose from different datasets compiled during the class to answer a research question of their own choosing. A few of the students chose to use the data collected during the Padilla Bay fieldtrip for their research questions.

A group of students stand and kneel in muddy eelgrass meadows, with research equipment.
Mark Stone, UW Photography
During the FISH 312: Aquatic Ecology class fieldtrip, undergraduate students collected data to assess the habitat of value of seagrass.

For more than 40 years, Padilla Bay has been designated as a National Estuarine Research Reserve because of its unusually large eelgrass meadows. Eelgrass is a vital part of the fabric of the Pacific Northwest for a multitude of reasons: it acts as a nursery for salmon, crab, perch, and herring. It’s home to a range of invertebrates which are a critical food resource for both animals and humans. It also acts as a carbon sink, by trapping the gas in the mudflats.

Aerial view of Padilla Bay and its eelgrass ecosystem.
Mark Stone, UW Photography
Padilla Bay has nearly 8,000 acres of eelgrass.

Congratulations to the recipients of the SAFS Faculty Merit Award

Congratulations to the four recipients of the SAFS Faculty Merit Award, awarded to outstanding scholars and members of the SAFS community: Emma Meyer (BS), Liz Allyn (MS), Amelia DuVall (PhD), and Kristin Privitera-Johnson (PhD).

Emma Meyer

Emma MeyerGraduating this year from the SAFS undergraduate program, Emma Meyer was described by her nominator as excelling in every facet of her education during her time at SAFS. Currently working on a capstone project in the Fish Collection, Emma is using a combination of molecular tools and morphology to determine how many species are present in a group of miniature coral reef fishes.


Liz Allyn

Liz AllynExceptional academic accomplishments, leadership, and deep commitment to collaborative, community-engaged research—these were some of the reasons Liz Allyn was chosen for the SAFS Faculty Merit Award. A SAFS Master’s student, Liz is exploring pinniped predation on salmon in Puget Sound and the implications for tribal fisheries.


Amelia DuVall

From publishing papers, presenting research at conferences, and obtaining competitive grants, to mentoring undergraduate students and leading complex research projects, Amelia DuVall is in the SAFS PhD program. She is due to defend her dissertation this summer. Her nominator describes Amelia as an incredible biologist, and someone always working to make her community better and give back.


Kristin Privitera-Johnson

Kristin-Privitera-JohnsonBeyond her PhD research, Kristin Privitera-Johnson has contributed to SAFS and the College of the Environment in multiple ways. She co-lead the SAFS Code of Conduct, sat on the College and SAFS Curriculum Committees, was involved in the College Strategic Plan Steering Committee, and was a reviewer for the NMFS-Sea Grant Population Dynamics Fellowship. Kristin’s nominator said she has been one of the most outstanding PhD students at SAFS in recent years.


Changing waters, changing views: Stakeholder perspectives on ocean acidification and adaptations in shellfish aquaculture

Shellfish aquaculture is a vital industry in the US, but one which faces mounting challenges threatening both productivity and business viability. Research often fails to align with growers’ immediate needs, so researchers set out to help close this gap in a new study published in Aquaculture Reports, interviewing over 30 commercial shellfish growers across the US Pacific region.

Funded as part of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, former Research Scientist at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (UW SAFS) and now a Fisheries Resource Management Specialist with NOAA Fisheries, Connor Lewis-Smith led the research to document how industry participants perceive ocean acidification threats and evaluate emerging adaptation strategies that are actively being researched: parental priming and native species portfolio diversification.

The research team included scientists from NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Puget Sound Restoration Fund, UW SAFS, and the University of the Virgin Islands. They interviewed owners, field managers, hatchery managers, and other staff from operations across five states on the Pacific Ocean: Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Hawaii. “Operations ranged in scale and included hatchery, nursery, and growout components. We also included tribally managed and tribally affiliated businesses,” Lewis-Smith said.

Aerial view of an oyster farm in the water.
Connor Lewis-Smith
Bird’s-eye view of an oyster farm.

Taking a step back in time to 2013, concern about ocean acidification among shellfish growers was four times higher than among the general public, a result of the hatchery crisis of the mid-2000s, where hatchery-produced oysters started dying by the billions along the Northwest coast. Today, ocean acidification remains a concern, but less so.  Based on interviews among growers in 2023-2024, the team found ocean acidification to be a lower-priority concern compared to other stressors such as temperature, disease, harmful algal blooms, and regulatory constraints.

“Many growers are unsure whether declining survival or productivity is due to ocean acidification, other environmental changes, or a combination,” Lewis-Smith said. “This nuance, where ocean acidification is seen as an ever-present “enemy on the hill,” but not necessarily the most urgent battle, points to the need for research and risk communication that reflects the interconnected nature of aquaculture stressors.”

Enhanced monitoring and adaptation to changing environmental conditions is actively supported across the industry, and this is where research plays a critical role, not only to deliver these adaptations, but to align them with growers’ practical realities and decision-making needs. In the study, the researchers looked at growers’ perceptions of two adaptation strategies to ocean acidification: parental priming and native species portfolio diversification.

Parental priming uses environmental conditioning of the parental generation to enhance the resilience of shellfish offspring. Native species portfolio diversification involves cultivating native species, such as Olympia oysters and geoduck clams, which may offer inherent resilience to ocean acidification.

An illustration of different shellfish, including oysters and a geoduck clam.
Connor Lewis-Smith
Shellfish portfolio, including oysters and a geoduck clam.

“Historically along the Pacific coast, the shellfish aquaculture industry has relied heavily on introduced species, such as Pacific oysters originally imported from Japan over a century ago, and they now account for the vast majority of production. Manila clams are another major contributor, also introduced,” Lewis-Smith shared. “These species became dominant in the early 20th century as native oyster populations like the Olympia oyster collapsed due to overharvest and habitat degradation.”

Researchers found higher levels of skepticism towards native species diversification stemming from regulatory hurdles, limited market demand, and slower growth rate of some species. Current regulations restrict the propagation of native species to preserve genetic diversity, while from an economic perspective, native species like Olympia oysters grow more slowly and may not meet market preferences for size, taste, or shucked-meat yield. There’s also an infrastructure concern to address, with restructured farming practices required for some native species. “We found that 69% of respondents cultivated at least one native species, and some are actively expanding their native offerings, however the industry’s core remains centered on introduced species,” Lewis-Smith said.

Aerial view of Hood Canal and an oyster farm.
Connor Lewis-Smith
An oyster farm located on Hood Canal.

On the flip side, parental priming was viewed as a promising, if still experimental, strategy—one that 64% of growers and hatchery operators would consider if backed by strong scientific evidence. By conditioning broodstock to low pH or other stressors during gonadal maturation—to enhance offspring resilience—this strategy doesn’t require overhauling product lines, shifting consumer preferences, or navigating regulatory pathways.  Concerns about this strategy were also uncovered during the study, emphasizing the financial and logistical burden of adopting new protocols, and stressing broodstock during critical life stages.

“We found that the relatively high interest in parental priming reflects a broader industry trend toward cautious innovation, where growers are open to new strategies, but only when those strategies are empirically validated, operationally feasible, and financially justifiable,” Lewis-Smith said.

In addition to gathering information on the industry’s perspective on environmental stressors and emerging strategies, the team concluded that collaboration between growers, researchers, and policymakers is essential for co-producing relevant adaptation strategies that are scientifically sound and operationally feasible. “The industry has already shown collaborative success in implementing monitoring and buffering systems after the 2005–2009 ocean acidification induced hatchery shortages,” Lewis-Smith said. “However, sustained engagement and support are needed to develop and scale newer strategies like priming or diversification, especially given the sector’s diversity and regulatory complexities.”


Call for Applications: Erasmus+ KA171 Graduate Student Mobility Fellowship

Study Abroad at the University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy

Application Deadline: May 26th, 2025

Are you a graduate student interested in advancing your academic and research experience in marine ecophysiology and environmental chemistry while immersing yourself in Italian culture? The University of Washington and the University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB) are excited to announce a fellowship opportunity through the Erasmus+ KA171 program.

This exchange program aims to strengthen international collaboration in marine science by providing a 60-day fully funded research stay at UNIMIB during Fall 2025.

Selected students will work under the supervision of Dr. Francesco Saliu, a leading researcher at UNIMIB. His lab focuses on marine environmental chemistry, chemical ecology, and analytical chemistry with applications in environmental sustainability and pollution research.

Students will gain practical experience in:

  • Mass spectrometry
  • Infrared spectroscopy
  • Chemical analysis of pollutants and microplastics
  • Advanced techniques in marine chemistry and ecology

Fellowship Benefits

  • Collaborate with international scientists and peers
  • Gain experience in multidisciplinary projects associated with plastic pollution, marine ecophysiology and environmental chemistry
  • Develop practical expertise in cutting-edge analytical techniques
  • Immerse yourself in the academic and cultural environment of Milan, Italy

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from University of Washington graduate students who:

  • Are studying marine biology, environmental science, chemistry, oceanography, chemical engineering, material science, or related disciplines
  • Are available to travel for 60 days during Fall 2025
  • Are adaptable, curious, and open to cultural exchange
  • Have a strong academic background and research interests aligned with the fellowship

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Proposal, 2 pages (40 points)
  • Curriculum (50 points)
  • Language proficiency, adaptability, and cultural awareness (10 points)

Key Details

  • Location: University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
  • Duration: 60 days in Fall 2025
  • Funding: Travel and living expenses fully supported by the Erasmus+ KA171 fellowship

Proposal Should Include:

  1. Academic and Research Objectives
    1. Describe your academic background and how this opportunity aligns with your field of study (e.g., marine biology, environmental science, chemistry, etc.).
    2. Identify what you hope to learn or achieve during your time at UNIMIB.
  2. Proposed Research Focus
    1. Briefly outline a research interest or question you would like to explore.
    2. Connect your goals with UNIMIB’s strengths in marine ecophysiology, environmental chemistry, chemical ecology, or pollution analysis.
  3. Relevance to Career Goals
    1. Explain how this international exchange experience fits into your future academic or professional plans (e.g., graduate school, international research, environmental policy).
  4. Adaptability and Cultural Preparedness
    1. Reflect on your interest in working abroad, your adaptability, and any past cross-cultural or travel experiences.

How to Apply

Submit your application (including your proposal, CV, academic transcript, and mobility plan) to: jpgamino@uw.edu

Application Deadline: May 26th, 2025

Questions?

For more information, please contact Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamiño at jpgamino@uw.edu


Coursework, capstone, and connections: The multi-dimensional nature of the SAFS undergraduate degree

For many students about to embark on their undergraduate journey at university, they plan to study one thing but end up studying something completely different. This was the case for SAFS undergraduate, Ryan Luvera. “Coming into UW, I, along with many of my peers, thought I would go into medicine. However, my blue-collar fishing family genes had other plans. My love for fisheries has devoted me to protecting Washington and Alaska’s waters, which have fed and clothed my family for three generations,” Ryan said. “The SAFS undergraduate degree was an obvious choice for me. The coursework, capstone, and connections I have gained have been invaluable.”

One of the goals of the SAFS degree is to prepare students through classes, lab work and fieldwork, to undertake and lead their own research project as the final requirement of the major – it’s called a capstone. Ryan, who’s in his junior year, decided to get started on his capstone early, using the skills he’s already learned.

“I’ve always been a fan of practical science. Environmental DNA is a blossoming field which has applications for management of invasive, endangered, and commercially important species. After being accepted to the Alaska Salmon Program for the summer of 2024, I decided to contact Wes Larson from NOAA Fisheries who had done an environmental DNA project already within the Alaska Salmon Program watershed. My capstone focuses on improving the salmon abundance estimation models that he had created,” Ryan shared.

The Alaska Salmon Program hosts UW students each summer to spend a month or more at the field camps to live and work in a diverse ecosystem which supports one of the world’s most important fisheries. For Ryan, he used this time to work on his own capstone research under the guidance of Wes, building on an existing, larger project. Wes happened to be in Alaska at the same time, teaching an eDNA section during the Aquatic Ecological Research in Alaska (AERA) Class for the Alaska Salmon Program, so the timing worked out perfectly for Ryan’s research.

Bright red sockeye salmon swim in a stream, surrounded by green grass on either side.
Ryan Luvera
Sockeye Salmon pooled in Hansen Creek.

“The larger project aims to use environmental DNA samples (collected in water) which are taken from the mouth of streams (where the stream enters the lake) to estimate the abundance of salmon within the stream,” Ryan said. “My project is focused on samples taken at several points while walking approximately 1km up two streams. At these set points going up the streams, we counted all the DNA copies that were present. From this, we want to hopefully see an increase in eDNA as water flows past salmon swimming in the stream. Ultimately, this data will help make our models better for estimating salmon abundance with eDNA samples taken at the mouth of streams as we understand how much eDNA is actually making it there, not just settling on rocks or being eaten by microbes.”

Sampling two streams that feed into Lake Aleknagik—Happy and Eagle Creek—Ryan worked with the AERA 2024 class, carrying roughly 120 pounds of water down Happy Creek “It was a rough day. I stayed up all night filtering water and putting the filters into preservative solution which allowed us to store the eDNA at room temperature. We then run a quantitative PCR to count the abundance of DNA within each sample and use that data to understand how eDNA is flowing within these streams. Preliminary results suggest that eDNA is better at flowing to the mouth of streams when there are lots of salmon and even with a higher flow of water.” Ryan said.

During their time at SAFS, undergrads are encouraged to seek out opportunities to enhance their experience at conducting research. Ryan not only found useful opportunities within UW—such as the Alaska Salmon Program field season and SAFS classes—but he also worked with external agencies to gain valuable research experience.

A group of students stand in a river with a white rope strung across.
Ryan Luvera
AERA Class of 2024 taking flow measurements of the water.

“Doing any sort of field sampling has been very helpful for my capstone. Not just the experience with field sampling, but also the troubles that come with it. It has really shown me that being prepared for anything is key. As for my degree, the writing classes, like FISH 290, have been pivotal as you create a mock capstone project and learn foundational knowledge in scientific writing and presentation. Doing a quantitative science minor has also been very beneficial, and I think the QSCI series really should be required for the fisheries degree,” Ryan said.

One key thing Ryan would share with other undergraduates is to take those opportunities that may seem strange or a bit of a long shot in the moment. “In terms of external experience, I had no degree specific experience before undergrad, unless you count making tuna sandwiches at Subway as fisheries. As an undergraduate, work snowballs fast. My freshman year, I applied to be an intern at King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) which was a long shot, but it worked out,” Ryan shared. “Taking strange opportunities is important. I got a job with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game because of a conversation with my nurse. Applying and working in a variety of positions has also been key for not only figuring out my path, but it also helps with future applications. Once you work in a position and talk to your mentor/advisor, you will start to understand what these positions are looking for. From there you can apply that knowledge to the next position to exceed their expectations. Working for Alaska Department of Fish and Game was hard, but I learned so much about management and fisheries from different stakeholders. Seeing the fishery from many different angles (research, management, family) has allowed me to become more attractive to employers.”

An eDNA filtering station at a field camp in Alaska.
Ryan Luvera
Makeshift eDNA filtering station which couldn’t be in the lab due to contamination concerns.

A frequently asked question for prospective students thinking of applying to university is about scholarships, and it remains an important question even when working your way through an undergraduate degree. Ryan applied for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship while in high school. “I would recommend anyone in their undergraduate experience who meets the qualifications to apply as the benefits are vast. It’s not only about the money, but the scholarship also allows you to build skills while making connections with potential employers,” Ryan said. “I give credit to the scholarship for giving me a start at King County. They notified me about the opportunity and provided resources, such as peer mentors, who could help with application materials. Now, I am one of their peer mentors for students in their first and second years at UW and Western Washington University. Being able to relay resources that are available specifically through the scholarship, provide support and mentorship, and share information on opportunities such as internships, to other undergrads who were in the same position that I was two short years ago, has been very rewarding.”

So, what’s next for Ryan, once he graduates from SAFS? “I am hoping to go to graduate school here at UW, but we’ll see! Government work is my end goal, probably locally at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) or the Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE). That’s where I see myself making the most impact on my community here in Washington.”

Want to learn more about other undergraduate research? 

Birdsong, insects, and streams: Stevan explores how King County’s riparian habitats are faring

Who’s who? Liam uses identification tools to tell freshwater sculpin apart 

Turning up the heat: Iris reveals lake hotspots using mobile data


Zoe Rand, QERM PhD student, chosen as College of the Environment Graduate Dean’s Medalist

Zoe Rand is a recipient of this year’s College of the Environment Graduate Dean’s Medalist award, a PhD student in the Quantitative Ecology & Resource Management (QERM) Program and member of SAFS Professor Trevor Branch’s lab. Congratulations Zoe!

Portrait photo of Zoe Rand
Zoe Rand

“Being a part of the College of the Environment, QERM, and SAFS communities is something I am very proud of, and I have loved being a part of it, so it is nice to be recognized for my contributions towards this community,” Zoe said.

The Graduate Dean’s Medalist award recognizes graduate students based on outstanding academic achievement, as well as outstanding leadership or service, on or off campus. Zoe ticks all of these boxes, with Zoe’s nominator sharing that Zoe excelled in so many different dimensions that it was hard to list only a few for the nomination letter: “Seven peer-reviewed publications, six assessment documents, two best poster awards at conferences on marine mammals and on seabirds, multiple heavy duty service assignments, undergraduate mentoring, teaching at high schools, and through all of this, a fabulous attitude overcoming all obstacles with a level, mature attitude and an infectious laugh.” 

Zoe uses mathematical and statistical models to study the population dynamics of baleen whales, using primarily historical data from whaling records, looking at questions related to movement, population size, and demographic rates. In relation to population assessments for Antarctic blue whales, Zoe’s method was two orders of magnitude more efficient than previous methods, and Zoe is now working to expand this model to produce the first integrated assessment that fits directly to the available mark-recapture data from photo-ID.

Zoe stands in front of a large sculpture of a whale
Zoe Rand
Zoe stands next to a blow up whale at the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center, located in Hawaii, in Summer 2024.

Serving in a wide variety of leadership and service roles while at UW, Zoe was a mentor for the Identity Belonging and Inquiry in Science (IBIS) Program, mentoring undergraduate Ashley Rendon during a project looking at growth rates of Antarctic blue whales in utero. “Mentoring Ashley was a great experience. Her passion and excitement for the project was inspiring, and I think I learned to more deeply understand my own research in the process of answering her questions and guiding her in her project,” Zoe shared.

Zoe Rand at a conference pointing to a research poster
Zoe Rand
Zoe presents research at the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Australia in November 2024.

These acts of service for the UW community also involved running the SAFS Quantitative Seminars for a whole year and participating in the College of the Environment Student Advisory Council and the SAFS Curriculum Committee. “Being involved in the Student Advisory Council and the SAFS Curriculum Committee gave me a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of the UW and the work that goes into making the College and the department what it is,” Zoe said. “I’ve also had booths or volunteered at the SEAS Open House during my time, and that’s one of my favorite events of the year, just to see the community so excited about our work.”

As a student in the QERM program and a member of a SAFS lab, Zoe has appreciated being able to build community within both. “I really value the SAFS and QERM graduate student communities. Everyone really supports each other, and I couldn’t have made it through graduate school without them,” Zoe said.

The Graduate Dean’s Medalist is not the first award Zoe has received. At the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals—a leading global event—Zoe won Best Student Presentation from North America. Zoe also won the best student poster presentation at the 2024 Pacific Seabird Group Annual Meeting, while Zoe’s PhD work at UW has been funded through a prestigious NMFS-Sea Grant Population Dynamics Fellowship awarded in 2023.

Congratulations Zoe!


NSF GRFP Info Session

Are you interested in applying to the NSF GRFP this fall? This five-year fellowship funds three years of your graduate education. Both undergraduate and graduate students can apply.

We are hosting an information session on the NSF GRFP to explain what it is, who is eligible for it, and a new structure for the workshop. We will also discuss the results of the most recent GRFP competition, and implications for future applicants. This session will be offered in person and online on the following dates:

Thursday May 8 – WATCH THE INFO SESSION RECORDING

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 13, 4:00-5:00 pm
Location: Fishery Sciences Building (FSH), Room 213
Zoom link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/95303390004


Drones and machine learning help swimmers stay safe from sharks

Funded by the California Ocean Protection Council, SAFS Professor, Corey Garza, and colleagues at Stanford, UC Santa Cruz and the Middlebury Institute have embarked on a project to better understand shark and pinniped behavior off the California coast.

They do this by tagging and tracking the animals, collecting background environmental data through buoys and mapping where pinnipeds gather. The goal is to understand how these variables interact and better predict when and where great white sharks might be on the prowl — and, importantly, how to keep people out of the water when they are.

Read the full story by UW Environment

Sea lions pictured in an aerial shot, sitting on a large rock on the left, and the right image shows the same photo with yellow outlines around the sea lions.
Michael Espriella
Image of California sea lions (left panel), compared to an AI image that counts individuals and classifies them by species.

Educating judges on water resource science: Mark Scheuerell and Angela Dillon take part in a Judicial Education Workshop

In a time of increasing calls for Washington judges to adjudicate water conflicts that reflect the State’s growth and development, two members of the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences attended the Judicial Education Workshop on Water Resource Science, held on March 28, 2025, at Washington State University (WSU). Angela Dillon, a PhD student at SAFS, gave the judges an overview of the importance of water for the environment and fish, with an emphasis on salmon and the Electron Dam on the Puyallup River, while SAFS Professor, Mark Scheuerell, gave a tour of Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, held on March 29.

The workshop, sponsored by the National Judicial College and hosted by the State of Washington Water Research Center (WRC), is part of a year-long educational program for judges in Washington State focused on the law and science of water. This larger program, entitled “Water & Tribal Law”, is organized by Alf Brandt of the National Judicial College Dividing the Waters program and Monte Mills, Professor of Law at UW, and convened by the incoming Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice, Debra Stephens.

A group of people sit and stand for a photo in a conference room.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts
The Judicial Education Workshop on Water Resource Science brought together judges, faculty, and graduate students to discuss science and water management in Washington State.

“Many judges do not have a scientific background, and so the goal of this workshop was to examine several dimensions of science in support of water management in Washington State, with an emphasis on science process and knowledge: what we know about specific topic areas and how we know it; what we don’t know, and sources of uncertainty,” Mark Scheuerell said.

Attended by 12 judges, the workshop brought together several professors from WSU to speak about surface and groundwater connectivity, water rights, agriculture uses of water, water markets, and climate change. During this session, Angela Dillon presented on issues related to water and salmon.

Angela Dillon stands at the front of a room in front of presentation screens, giving a talk.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts
Angela Dillon, a SAFS PhD student, gave a presentation to the judges on issues related to water and salmon.

Having previously worked with the WRC (which is located at WSU) on an assessment of criteria for identifying “net ecological benefit” following the 2016 “Hirst Decision” and subsequent passage of a new streamflow restoration law in Washington, Mark Scheuerell was invited by WRC Director, Jonathan Yoder, to participate in the workshop. “In turn, I suggested Angela would be a good candidate to also be involved, to provide insight into issues faced on the Puyallup River,” Mark said.

Through a series of short presentations and hands-on thought exercises, the judges were introduced to the intersections of social, economic, and ecological aspects of water and how they can play out in Washington. “The judges were unanimous in their praise for the breadth and depth of information presented to them,” Mark shared.

On Saturday morning, Mark led the judges on a tour of Lower Granite Dam. Lower Granite is the uppermost dam on the Snake River, that is passable to anadromous fishes like salmon and lamprey. It is also one of four dams on the lower Snake River that are commonly discussed as targets for breaching in support of salmon conservation. The group discussed the proximate and delayed effects of hydropower dams and their operations on salmon survival, and various reasons in support of or resistance to dam breaching.

The judges were given a tour of the Lower Granite Dam by Mark Scheuerell, the uppermost dam on the Snake River.

“One of the recurring themes during the workshop and the tour was that water science is inexact, and many uncertainties remain,” Mark said. “As such, it’s important for judges to ask lots of clarifying questions related to what, if any, models were used in an analysis, any assumptions underlying the analyses, and the sources of data or information used in the analyses.”

This workshop was one of five different events that the judges are participating in as part of their larger education program.