Priority Projects
Elwha and Dungeness nearshore ecosystem conservation, research and education.
Over the last twenty years CWI has led efforts to develop and implement an Elwha nearshore ecosystem conservation and restoration action plan. We’ve documented long term fish use of the Elwha and Dungeness nearshore, defined the role feeder bluffs play in sediment dynamics of the Elwha and Dungeness nearshore, and defined linkages between hydrodynamics and ecological function of the Elwha estuary and shorelines. We’re now focusing on legacy nearshore ecosystem conservation and restoration projects, continued monitoring of the Elwha and Dungeness nearshore, and engagement with managers and local community to impart how these systems work, why they are so important, and best tools to conserve them.
‘Living on the Edge’. A campaign to protect and restore feeder bluffs-the engines of our critical northwest nearshore ecosystems.
Understanding, Protecting and Restoring the Nearshore of the Central and Western Olympic Peninsula
CWI provides leadership, scientific technical expertise, and coordination for priorities of nearshore ecosystem science, conservation and restoration, of the north Olympic Peninsula including Dungenesss Bluffs, Elwha, Crescent Bay and Salt Creek, Twins, and Clallam Bay nearshore. The work includes education and scientific field engagement focusing on coastal beaver conservation and restoration, nearshore large woody debris (LWD), nearshore legacy forest, kelp forest, salmon, and forage fish dynamics (see separate tab for details), and long term monitoring of our coastal zones.
Defining and promoting nearshore ecosystem services. CWI leads efforts to promote understanding local, regional, and cross regional importance of nearshore habitat function of the north coastal Olympic Peninsula
A high priority is working with collaborators to define-for the first time- the ecosystem services provided by nearshore habitats. Priority areas are ecosystem function of kelp beds for forage fish, the role of coastal beavers in promoting the restoration of estuaries and lower rivers, and conserving feeder bluffs function of the Salish Sea.
Educating Our Next Generation of Co-Managers and Reseachers
We have a new generation of scientists and co-managers recruiting to the natural and physical sciences. It is important to provide meaningful research and educational experience to impart and maintain the understanding of our watersheds that we have worked so hard to achieve, and continue towards our goal of locally based wise long term stewardship with a minimum of ‘shifting baseline’ that erodes our natural resources.
Resources to Address These Priorities are Very Tight
CWI is dedicated to supporting efforts to address these priorities in times of diminishing financial resources and increasing human pressure.
Twin Rivers nearshore prior to CWI restoration in 2016 (Photo by Tom Roorda)
Feeder bluffs feeding beach building and
surf smelt spawn material along Dungeness drift cell
