Feb 2013 Issue
eNews - Puget Sound Institute - University of Washington Tacoma

Photo of the newly renovated Murray Morgan Bridge as viewed from the Puget Sound Institute offices in Tacoma.
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About us: The Puget Sound Institute is a cooperative agreement between the University of Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Puget Sound Partnership, seeking to catalyze rigorous, transparent analysis, synthesis, discussion and dissemination of science in support of the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound ecosystem.

Featured news

Caffeine and other tracers used to target wastewater pollution

Your daily coffee habit may someday help identify sources of bacterial pollution in Puget Sound. Researchers at the Puget Sound Institute are developing a new tool for targeting leaky septic tanks that may have broader implications for studies of emerging contaminants. [More]


Puget Sound Institute issues RFP to fund social science research

The Puget Sound Institute (PSI) requests proposals for 18-month research projects from social science investigators at academic and research institutes, government agencies and other professional consultancies to conduct research on Puget Sound ecosystem service values. As much as $200,000 will be available to support up to three projects selected through an open, competitive, peer-reviewed process. The document below provides guidance for submitting letters of intent and full proposals. Interdisciplinary partnerships are encouraged. [More]


Herring eggs on eelgrass. Photo: Tessa Francis

From the field: PSI forage fish study

PSI Research Scientist Tessa Francis sends us this photo of herring eggs on eelgrass (click the photo to expand), part of a new forage fish study in collaboration with NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center. The study, which began earlier this month examines the possible link between eelgrass abundance and herring populations in Puget Sound. [More]

PSI news roundup

Baker lab alum Holly Bamford named Director of NOAA's National Ocean Service

photo of Holly BamfordEarlier this month, NOAA announced a familiar name to head its National Ocean Service (NOS). Holly Bamford has been a longtime collaborator with the Center for Urban Waters through our joint study of marine microplastics when she led NOAA's Marine Debris Program. Bamford also received her master's degree and doctorate in environmental chemistry studying with PSI Director Joel Baker when his research group was at the University of Maryland. [More]


A bridge to PSI

photo of Murray Morgan BridgeTacoma's historic Murray Morgan (11th Street) Bridge has re-opened after several years of renovation work. Why is this good news for PSI? Our home, the Center for Urban Waters, is now re-connected with downtown Tacoma and the UW Tacoma campus. We're looking forward to walking and biking to meetings as the weather improves!


Encyclopedia of Puget Sound logo

EoPS is blogging

Get an inside take on the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound through the EoPS blog. We'll keep you updated on new additions to the site, as well as topics like open access publishing and interesting happenings in Puget Sound science. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Recent papers

Characterizing coastal foodwebs

PSI's Tessa Francis is co-author of a new paper in the ICES Journal of Marine Science. The paper, "Characterizing coastal foodwebs with qualitative links to bridge the gap between the theory and the practice of ecosystem-based management" uses qualitative modeling to compare management actions in Puget Sound, Chesapeake Bay and Galveston Bay. [More]


Upcoming paper in Decision Analysis

PSI's Richard Anderson has co-authored a paper accepted for publication in the June issue of Decision Analysis. The paper, "Toward an Improved Methodology to Construct and Reconcile Decision Analytic Preference Judgments" describes a process designed to mitigate the occurrence of biases and judgment flaws in novel decision situations. [More]

Upcoming events

National Working Waterfronts Symposium in Tacoma March 25-28

Washington Sea Grant's National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium is scheduled for March 25-28 in Tacoma. The event, in coordination with Oregon Sea Grant, is the third national symposium on issues faced by working waterfronts throughout the United States. [More]


UW Water symposium, April 30th

The 2013 University of Washington Water Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Husky Union Building on the UW, Seattle campus. The symposium is sponsored by the Center for Urban Waters and the Puget Sound Institute and brings together scientists and engineers to present and discuss water-related research for Washington and beyond. To read more about the event, or view past proceedings, visit the Water Symposium website.


Advancing the role of science in coastal ecosystem recovery, May 14 and 15th

The Puget Sound Institute has invited representatives from six major ecosystem recovery projects for a two-day workshop, May 14th and 15th in Seattle. Participants will represent Chesepeake Bay, Everglades, Long Island Sound, San Joaquin/Sacramento Delta, Columbia River Estuary, and the Louisiana Coast. The workshop is being organized by PSI Research Scientist Nick Georgiadis, and will look at ways that science can contribute most effectively to large-scale recovery efforts, including Puget Sound. Topics include challenges relating to scope, complexity and cost in large and complex systems. [More]