This project will engage Tribes across Puget Sound in accessing and interpreting biodiversity data critical to the conservation and restoration of declining kelp forests and other nearshore habitats.
Tribes lead conservation efforts in nearshore habitats, including kelp restoration and management of culturally relevant species such as salmon, abalone, and oysters. Additionally, the 19 federally recognized Tribes in Puget Sound are consulted by the U.S. federal government for approval of all in-water projects. To support Tribal stewardship, organizations have a responsibility to accessibly share data they collect on biodiversity and the abundance and distribution of marine species across Puget Sound.
In this project, a team from the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and Reef Check will structure intentional engagement with Tribes, including iterative rounds of feedback and response online, in-writing, and in-person to:
- parse and interpret large datasets in ways that are relevant to Tribal interests;
- develop two to three case studies of priority to Tribal managers to demonstrate how the data can be applied; and
- with the Tribes’ permission, present the project and associated case studies established regional meetings on management of kelp and nearshore habitats.
This project was funded in August 2026 as part of the 2026 Ocean Biodiversity Program Regional Engagement Grants.
