Puget Sound Conservation

Creating a resilient future for coastal birds and communities

Photo: Mick Thompson

Puget Sound is special. Who hasn’t been moved by the sight of birds and other wildlife on the shores and waters of the Sound, framed by snowcapped mountains and towering forests? Or the annual arrival of marine birds like Surf Scoters and Barrow’s Goldeneye, swimming next to ferry docks and piers in search of their next meal? We are truly lucky to live in such a special place. Birds connect people to the lands and waters they rely on here in the Puget Sound region and across the hemisphere. They help us understand if our environment is functioning and healthy, and point us to where we need to take action to ensure thriving natural systems. When we create the conditions for birds to thrive, people and communities can thrive too.  

Seabirds and shorebirds are in trouble, here and globally, and the urgency of the moment demands that we work across sectors and with partners, governments and local communities to pursue strategic conservation actions, science, and nature-based solutions for birds and their habitats within Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea. That’s why Audubon Washington is working with coastal communities, Audubon chapters, agencies, and tribes to advance nature-based solutions and science that build resilience for birds and people and deliver the policy support to make lasting change.  

As a trusted partner and proven conservation leader, Audubon Washington is well-positioned to champion the needs of birds and lead fellow bird-lovers and our nearly 50,000 members statewide in achieving our vision for a resilient Puget Sound. 

Our Actions: 

  • We bring our powerful advocacy platform to bear in activating our nearly 50,000 members statewide to speak out in support of policies and funding that support food, habitat, and climate resilience for seabirds and shorebirds. 

  • We collaborate with local Audubon chapters to amplify on-the-ground efforts to advance coastal resilience and restoration projects that benefit birds and people by focusing on frontline communities. This unified approach leverages the unique strengths of the Audubon network and helps ensure that Puget Sound will continues to provide vital resting and breeding grounds for birds in the Pacific Flyway.

 

Audubon envisions a future where birds- and people- thrive. When we protect the places birds need, we protect the places that people need, today and tomorrow. 

Puget Sound Science & Monitoring
Coasts

Puget Sound Science

Building the science foundation for including birds in Puget Sound recovery

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Fostering Healthy Shorelines 
Coasts

Fostering Healthy Shorelines

Restoration of shoreline habitats is a win-win for birds and coastal communities  

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Coastal Policy
Coasts

Puget Sound Policy

Advancing policies that promote a healthy and resilient Puget Sound for birds and people

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Taking Action Against Sea Level Rise
Coasts

Taking Action Against Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise in Puget Sound threatens coastal bird species

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A Regional Framework for Monitoring Birds for Conservation
AuduBlog

A Regional Framework for Monitoring Birds for Conservation

The Salish Sea Estuaries Avian Monitoring Framework creates a shared methodology for use in avian monitoring, improving ability to support multi-species habitat management and restoration of vital estuary habitat.

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Modeling Avian Habitat Suitability in Puget Sound
AuduBlog

Modeling Avian Habitat Suitability in Puget Sound

A project of the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) Marine Birds Work Group

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Washington's Coastal Priority Birds

Coastal Conservation News Feed

Policy Priorities in 2023
Press Center

2023 Legislative Priorities

Bird conservation in a changing climate requires bold investments in the health of our land and waters and smart planning for climate change.

Speak Up for the Birds this Legislative Session
Press Center

Speak Up for the Birds this Legislative Session

The 2023 legislative session is underway. We have numerous opportunities to protect birds through policy change and funding in the state budget.

Puget Sound Series: Protecting and Restoring the Kennedy Creek Estuary
AuduBlog

Puget Sound Series: Protecting and Restoring the Kennedy Creek Estuary

An influx of dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a rare opportunity for conservation

Puget Sound Series: Unpermitted Shoreline Armoring
Press Center

Puget Sound Series: Unpermitted Shoreline Armoring

New study shows that 74% of the armoring installed in San Juan County over a 10-year period had no permits from either the state or the county, and only 9% of the new armor in the county was legally permitted prior to installation

Puget Sound Series: Sea-level Rise in Skagit County
AuduBlog

Puget Sound Series: Sea-level Rise in Skagit County

We successfully advocated for the addition of provisions to consider sea level rise in the latest draft of the Skagit County Shoreline Master Plan!

Puget Sound Series: Shoreline Armoring
Press Center

Puget Sound Series: Shoreline Armoring

Shoreline armoring harms natural beaches that provide spawning habitat for forage fish, a key to Puget Sound's ecosystem

Puget Sound Series: Sea Level Rise
Coastal Estuaries

Puget Sound Series: Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise in Puget Sound threatens homes, infrastructure, and natural shoreline habitats.

2022 Legislative Session Recap for Climate, Puget Sound, Sagelands, and Bird-friendly Communities
Press Center

2022 Legislative Session Recap for Climate, Puget Sound, Sagelands, and Bird-friendly Communities

The 60-day legislative session wrapped up on March 10 with some fantastic victories for birds, as well as important policies that didn’t make the cut.

Investing in Salmon Recovery Is Good for Birds
Press Center

Investing in Salmon Recovery Is Good for Birds

Alongside our partners at the Seattle Aquarium and Sound Action, we’ve proposed legislation that helps protect Puget Sound shoreline habitat for birds, salmon, and people

A Legislative Agenda for Birds and the Places They Need
Advocacy

A Legislative Agenda for Birds and the Places They Need

Audubon Washington seeks to build on critical climate and conservation policies in the 2022 legislative session

How you can help, right now