Collaborative Science, Policy Development and Program Implementation in the Transboundary Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Ecosystem

Abstract

The transboundary Georgia Basin Puget Sound ecosystem is situated in the southwest corner of British Columbia and northwest comer of Washington State. While bountiful and beautiful, this international region is facing significant threats to its marine and freshwater resources, air quality, habitats and species. These environmental challenges are compounded by rapid population growth and attendant uiban sprawl. As ecosystem stresses amplified and partnerships formed around possible solutions, it became increasingly clear that the shared sustainability challenges in the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound required shared solutions. Federal, state and provincial institutional arrangements were made between jurisdictions, which formalized small scale interest in transboundary management of this ecosystem. Formal agreements, however, can only do so much to further management of an ecosystem that spans international boarders. A transboundary regional research meeting, the 2003 GB/PS Research Conference, opened the doors for large-scale informal cross-boarder cooperation and management. In addition to cooperation, continued efforts to stem toxic pollution, contain urban growth, and protect and restore ecosystems, require a commitment from scientists, educators and policy makers to better integrate research and science with decision-making.

Changing gull diet in a changing world: A 150‐year stable isotope (δ13C,δ15N) record from feathers collected in the Pacific Northwest of North America

“…The inshore waters of southern British Columbia and northern Washington, collectively called the Salish Sea, have been ranked among the most disturbed coastal marine ecosystems on Earth (mean cumulative impact score for this region = 19.3, maximum study score = 19.5; Halpern et al, 2008), and as such are targets for more effective conservation and management (Fraser et al, 2006;Gaydos et al, 2008). However, because of poor and incomplete monitoring, relatively few long-term population trends exist for individual species in the region Gaydos & Pearson, 2011), hampering the identification of ecological baselines and conservation targets.…”

Collaborative approaches to governance for water and Indigenous peoples: A case study from British Columbia, Canada

“…For example, Fraser et al (2006) recognize that First Nations have ''historic, spiritual, and cultural ties to the land'', but do not recognize the ongoing legal or moral rights to, rather than ties to, that land as a nation, and generally discuss First Nations as one of several stakeholders or communities. Similarly, Davidson-Hunt and O'Flaherty (2007) suggest ways in which First Nations peoples can be engaged more effectively in planning processes, but characterize First Nations as communities or partners.…”

Top 10 Principles for Designing Healthy Coastal Ecosystems Like the Salish Sea

“…Although there is a major statewide effort to restore Puget Sound by the year 2020 (Puget Sound Partnership 2006), the Puget Sound basin is only one half of a large and unified ecosystem, the Salish Sea (Fraser et al 2006). Efforts to restore Puget Sound will fail if they do not incorporate and integrate similar efforts on the Canadian side of the border.…”

“…The inland sea of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada) is recognized as an international treasure (Fraser et al 2006). Corresponding to the ancestral home of the Coast Salish people and often referred to as the Salish Sea (Fraser et al 2006), the ecosystem stretches from Olympia in the south to Campbell River in the north and extends from the crest of the surrounding mountain ranges (Olympic, Cascade, Vancouver Island, and Coast Range) to the deepest part of the marine waters ( Figure 1).…”

“…Corresponding to the ancestral home of the Coast Salish people and often referred to as the Salish Sea (Fraser et al 2006), the ecosystem stretches from Olympia in the south to Campbell River in the north and extends from the crest of the surrounding mountain ranges (Olympic, Cascade, Vancouver Island, and Coast Range) to the deepest part of the marine waters ( Figure 1). The area south of the international border is called the Puget Sound Basin, and to the north, the Georgia Basin (Figure 1).…”