Puget Sound

Puget Sound is critical to our environment, culture, and economy. About two-thirds of the state’s population lives in the Puget Sound region. Our nation’s second largest marine estuary faces a number of challenges related to population growth and development, as well as habitat loss and multiple sources of pollution. We work in collaboration with a wide range of local and tribal governments, other state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector partners to use the best available science and research to better understand and counter challenges facing Puget Sound. We are building lasting partnerships, working together, pooling resources, and making smart investments to restore, protect, and preserve the health of Puget Sound, now and for future generations.

Protecting orcas

Our work benefits orcas by improving environmental conditions & reducing toxics in the environment.

Issues & problems

The more we study Puget Sound, the more we understand the challenges facing this diverse waterbody.

Helping Puget Sound

We protect and restore Puget Sound through a wide variety of programs and activities.

Sound science

We study Puget Sound to detect human impacts and to target prevention and cleanup efforts.

Watershed characterization project

A regional planning tool that identifies areas of the Puget Sound to protect, restore, or develop.

No discharge zone

A no discharge zone will protect Puget Sound from vessel sewage releases.