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Articles 1 - 30 of 1228
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2022/2023 Report, Angela Strecker, Joan Pickens, Carmen Archambault, Emily Flarry, Kathryn Queen, Robert Mitchell, Robin Matthews, Geoffrey B. Matthews
Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project 2022/2023 Report, Angela Strecker, Joan Pickens, Carmen Archambault, Emily Flarry, Kathryn Queen, Robert Mitchell, Robin Matthews, Geoffrey B. Matthews
Lake Whatcom Annual Reports
This report describes the results from the 2022/2023 Lake Whatcom monitoring program conducted by the Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University (https://diatom.cenv.wwu.edu/).
The major objectives of the 2022/2023 Lake Whatcom monitoring program were to continue long-term baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Whatcom and its major tributaries; collect storm runoff water quality data from representative streams in the watershed; and continue collection of hydrologic data from Austin and Smith Creeks.
Dataset For The Incorporation Of Climate Change Into A Multiple Stressor Risk Assessment For The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) Population In The Yakima River, Washington Usa, Wayne Landis, Chelsea J. Mitchell, John D. Hader, Rory Nathan, Emma E. Sharpe
Dataset For The Incorporation Of Climate Change Into A Multiple Stressor Risk Assessment For The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) Population In The Yakima River, Washington Usa, Wayne Landis, Chelsea J. Mitchell, John D. Hader, Rory Nathan, Emma E. Sharpe
Environmental Sciences Faculty and Staff Publications
Data files available below
This data set is in support of Landis et al (in press 2024). A key question in understanding the implications of climate change is how to integrate ecological risk assessments that focus on contaminants with the environmental alterations from climate projections. This article summarizes the results of integrating selected direct and indirect effects of climate change into an existing Bayesian network previously used for ecological risk assessment. The existing Bayesian network Relative Risk Model (BN-RRM) integrated the effects of organophosphate pesticides concentrations, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels on the Chinook salmon population in the Yakima …
Studying The South Lake Whatcom Fire, Lillian Buck
Studying The South Lake Whatcom Fire, Lillian Buck
WWU Honors College Senior Projects
This study investigates the ecological consequences of the South Lake Whatcom Fire, which occurred in August 2023, focusing on soil health and water quality. Lake Whatcom, historically shaped by indigenous settlements and 19th-century logging and mining activities, is a critical water source for Bellingham residents. The fire, sparked by lightning, was managed with hand-dug lines, and contained by September 2023. Soil analysis revealed a significant reduction in the organic matter/duff layer depth in burned areas compared to unburned sections, highlighting potential challenges for soil recovery and ecosystem health. Erosion concerns were raised, emphasizing the need for post-fire management strategies. This …
How Much Noise Is Too Much For Southern Resident Killer Whales In The Salish Sea? The Case For A Carrying Capacity Study., Rob Williams, Cindy R. Elliser, Ginny Broadhurst
How Much Noise Is Too Much For Southern Resident Killer Whales In The Salish Sea? The Case For A Carrying Capacity Study., Rob Williams, Cindy R. Elliser, Ginny Broadhurst
Institute Publications
Background and rationale for the need of a carrying capacity study that will provide the necessary data to understand what amount of vessel noise is acceptable, while at the same time allowing marine life to maintain healthy populations.
Strengthening Collaboration Between Washington State And British Columbia, Ginny Broadhurst, Laurie D. Trautman
Strengthening Collaboration Between Washington State And British Columbia, Ginny Broadhurst, Laurie D. Trautman
Border Policy Research Institute Publications
There are a variety of benefits that arise from collaboration across the Canada-US border. In some sectors, the value of collaboration is measurable. For example, travel or trade volumes can be equated with specific economic benefits. This is the case with tourism and supply chain networks. There are traceable benefits associated with cross-border business integration and the development of a shared ‘innovation ecosystem’. However, how does one measure the value of having good relations with neighbors? Or the benefits that result from developing more resilient environmental and economic conditions that are created by joint responses to shared natural disasters? The …
Animal-Sediment Relationships Reexamined, A Meta-Analysis, Christine Franzen
Animal-Sediment Relationships Reexamined, A Meta-Analysis, Christine Franzen
WWU Honors College Senior Projects
The patterns associated with the influence of grain size on the spatial variation of the deposit and suspension-feeding groups have been studied since the late 1950s. The foundational paper for the theory, Sanders (1958), proposed that a higher proportion of clay and silt-sized grains in the sediments correlates with a higher proportion of deposit feeders compared to suspension feeders. This theory has become widely accepted and taught in textbooks despite subsequent papers indicating differing observations. Through a meta-analysis, this study examines whether the observation from Sanders (1958) was indicative of a general rule or an anomaly. Additionally, this study aims …
Freshwater Algae In Northwest Washington, Volume Iii. Desmids, Part A, Robin A. Matthews
Freshwater Algae In Northwest Washington, Volume Iii. Desmids, Part A, Robin A. Matthews
A Collection of Open Access Books and Monographs
No abstract provided.
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Sustainable Farm Education Intern, Sean Anderson
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Sustainable Farm Education Intern, Sean Anderson
College of the Environment Internship Reports
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to ensure the healthy recovery of salmon in the Hood Canal watershed, and through restoration, education, and research they aim to achieve this goal. Based at the Salmon Center in Belfair, I interned on the farm there aptly named Farm at Water’s Edge. They’re a certified organic farm meaning they don’t use any herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizer where runoff can be avoided to not affect the salmon, it’s a fantastic demonstration of sustainable farming practices.
Nw Straits Foundation Rain Garden Intern, Margeaux Bailey
Nw Straits Foundation Rain Garden Intern, Margeaux Bailey
College of the Environment Internship Reports
The goal of the project was to not only create a green space within the bus loop where children are dropped off and picked up but to build a storm water filtration system to improve storm water quality before it enters streams and it’s final destination, the Salish Sea.This rain garden also provides continuous learning opportunities for the students at Mt. Erie Elementary School to gain knowledge about stormwater management practices and the opportunity to be environmental stewards. The Mt. Erie rain garden contains a variety of 130 plants including native species and benefits the Salish Sea through filtering up …
Compost Manufacturing Alliance Data Eval And Testing Intern, Emma Anderson
Compost Manufacturing Alliance Data Eval And Testing Intern, Emma Anderson
College of the Environment Internship Reports
My role at CMA was multifaceted. One half of my work consisted of fieldwork, and the other half was working on recertifications and learning the operations of the company. Towards the end, my boss and I attempted to solve, or help solve, an issue about on-campus composting that was brought to my attention but had limited luck with contacting the composter and the managers of Aramark who source food ware materials.
Mt Baker Snow School Intern, Katrina Doerflinger
Mt Baker Snow School Intern, Katrina Doerflinger
College of the Environment Internship Reports
This February and March I volunteered as an environmental educator with the program. I brought students up on the mountain to different outdoor lessons hosted by the Snow School’s partners. I also had the opportunity to teach my own workshop on snow crystal formation in the atmosphere. This program is part of a 3-year-long education initiative called Snow to Sea to teach middle school students about our local watershed. We are their first exposure to this initiative at the very top of the watershed: Mt. Baker. It's so rewarding to see students, many of which have never been to Mt. …
Skagit County Public Works Intern, Cynthia Elston
Skagit County Public Works Intern, Cynthia Elston
College of the Environment Internship Reports
During my internship with Skagit County, I had the opportunity to participate in various programs contributing to the organization's mission of protecting and enhancing the natural resources in the county. The following paragraphs provide an overview of my involvement and contributions in each program.
Wwu Research Assistant Intern, Itzel Perez
Wwu Research Assistant Intern, Itzel Perez
College of the Environment Internship Reports
My 2-credit research project focused on the degradation of polymers, such as Low-Density Polyethylene and Polycarbonate, within the human digestive system. Throughout my project I had been working with my advisor, Dr. Montaño, as well as my research partner, Ashlynn Lee, to develop an in-depth understanding of polymers. I first began doing research on polymers of interests and narrowed down to two specific plastics- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and PC (Polycarbonate).
Wwu Iws Internship, Owen Sinderman
Wwu Iws Internship, Owen Sinderman
College of the Environment Internship Reports
The IWS performs several roles, both within the university and with external government and non-government organizations. Among these are assistance with student projects, program development, sponsorship of watershed-related seminars, and provision of equipment and knowledge for water quality monitoring and research. One of the main projects of the IWS is the Lake Whatcom monitoring program, a large-scale watershed study that has been collecting data since 1988. During my time with the Institute, I assisted primarily in this project, specifically with the tributary stormwater and lake water quality aspects. I additionally got a chance to help with the start of a …
Whatcom Transit Authority Senior Project Report, Kendall Jouett
Whatcom Transit Authority Senior Project Report, Kendall Jouett
College of the Environment Internship Reports
The current scenario of greenhouse gas emissions is expected to increase with global warming throughout the end of the twenty-first century. Organizations in the United States are actively working towards mitigation strategies that are beneficial in contributing towards the progress of the Biden Administration’s goal to cut back greenhouse gas emissions from the levels recorded in 2005 down by half by 2030. In order to accomplish this goal, counties are developing sustainability plans specialized to the area’s lifestyle uses of energy. A major focal point nationally is the transportation sector’s environmental impacts, and many are looking toward the development of …
Nsea - Gis Intern, Maximillian Yost
Nsea - Gis Intern, Maximillian Yost
College of the Environment Internship Reports
Most of my work included updating, editing, and creating GIS feature layers and maps used by the NSEA restoration crews, and creating maps and story maps that could be viewed and easily digested by the public. With my role, I got to work on projects with both the educational and the field side of NSEA.
Overwintering Eagle Demographics On The Nooksack River, Collette Webb
Overwintering Eagle Demographics On The Nooksack River, Collette Webb
WWU Honors College Senior Projects
This paper provides a look into the demographics of overwintering eagles on the Nooksack River and their ties to salmon. Viewing overwintering eagles on the Nooksack River has become somewhat of a tradition for locals wanting to catch sight of these American icons in their natural habitat and consuming another PNW favorite; salmon. However, climate change and ever increasing ecological pressures have begun to alter the eagle-salmon food web dynamic in ways that are just starting to be explored. During the winter, eagles rely on the supply of salmon carcasses that wash onto the river banks and gravel bars after …
Miles Berkey Bryophyte Research, Hattie Bakke
Miles Berkey Bryophyte Research, Hattie Bakke
College of the Environment Internship Reports
assisted in mapping bryophyte flora in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Park, along LGM (last glacial maximum) spatial boundaries determined by GIS (see
Figure 1). The aim of this research has been to determine the likelihood of an ice age refugium in Barlow Pass, by comparing the proportion of disjunct species to the known ice age refugium, Brooks Peninsula (Figure 2), and the known non-refugial area Cascade Pass (Figure 3). Bryophytes are a group of non-vascular plants, divided into mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They are amongst the oldest extant lineage of terrestrial plants.
Taylor Shellfish Farms + Sakari Farms, Rosalie Potvin
Taylor Shellfish Farms + Sakari Farms, Rosalie Potvin
College of the Environment Internship Reports
I would work up to 6 days a week during the low tide to harvest, plant, and transplant clams and oysters. My time at Taylor Shellfish Farms introduced me to a sustainable form aquaculture as I split my time between Clam and Oyster Crews.
Washington Conservation Corps Intern, Suzanne Krasle
Washington Conservation Corps Intern, Suzanne Krasle
College of the Environment Internship Reports
WCC is an AmeriCorps program under the Department of Ecology for Washington State. Opportunities for service through WCC include working on a trail, spike, or restoration crew, or as an individual placement. I worked on a restoration crew. Restoration crews focus on native planting, invasive species removal and mitigation, and implementation of erosion control techniques. My crew consisted of six WCC crew members including me and our supervisor, and we worked alongside our sponsor the Skagit River System Coop (SRSC).
Washington Conservaton Corps Intern, Suzanne Krasle
Washington Conservaton Corps Intern, Suzanne Krasle
College of the Environment Internship Reports
Restoration crews focus on native planting, invasive species removal and mitigation, and implementation of erosion control techniques. My crew consisted of six WCC crew members including me and our supervisor, and we worked alongside our sponsor the Skagit River System Coop (SRSC). Since January, we completed planting projects along with some brush-cutting of Himalayan blackberry. In addition to working on the restoration projects, my role within WCC was to document our crew’s daily work including site conditions and the number of trees planted.
Nsea Community Program Intern, Paige Aagaard
Nsea Community Program Intern, Paige Aagaard
College of the Environment Internship Reports
was a Community Program Intern with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association’s (NSEA) Future Leaders of Whatcom County (FLOW) program for spring 2023. NSEA is a local, community-based organization within Whatcom County. It is a 501 c(3) organization meaning that NSEA is a charitable, nonprofit for the benefit of the community (IRS, 2023). Main funding comes from various grants. NSEA’s major focus is on habitat restoration to help declining salmon populations:
Wwu Herring Stock Research Intern, Alexandra Haase
Wwu Herring Stock Research Intern, Alexandra Haase
College of the Environment Internship Reports
This internships main goal was to follow up the work of former graduate student Heidi Stewart, and explore the predation activities of large predators in Herring spawning habitats. Last year, Dr. Sobocinski and Heidi placed metal nets in different Bays around the Salihs Sea. This was to isolate herring spawn, in order to see the impact of predators on herring spawn. During this time, I was brought onto their research team as a field assistant and video processer. Heidi trained me in her procedures and gave me my first taste of environmental field work.
Wwu Sustainability Engagement Institute Data Ambassador, Ashley Olson
Wwu Sustainability Engagement Institute Data Ambassador, Ashley Olson
College of the Environment Internship Reports
My internship almost entirely surrounded the project of working towards completion and submission of the WWU Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) report to receive a score assessing where our institution is both independently and comparatively in our progress towards an optimally sustainable campus. The role of my position as the data ambassador was to gather data from numerous departments and individuals throughout our campus network and craft technical writing within the majority of sections to further explain our campus operations and the data I compiled. The objective for …
Washington Conservation Corps Intern, Maczenzie Kelm
Washington Conservation Corps Intern, Maczenzie Kelm
College of the Environment Internship Reports
My work with the Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) was with a restoration crew sponsored by the Skagit River Systems Co-op. The organization does work in the Skagit river basin to restore salmon habitat. The focus of this work is on riparian areas, in the summer season which I had worked we primarily maintained sites where plantings had been done previously. This was done through brush cutting survival rings around young plants, as well as removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and morning glory either through herbicide use or brush cutting. Hours worked with WCC were ten hours four days …
Salish Scientists Summer Camp Internship, Jayden Lehner
Salish Scientists Summer Camp Internship, Jayden Lehner
College of the Environment Internship Reports
The non-profit is one of the fourteen Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs) in Washington State. They work to foster a community that cares about bringing awareness to salmon and giving everyone opportunities to contribute to the success of salmon. Salmon are an essential part of the Pacific Northwest, for people and the environment. During the summer, they run a Salish Scientists Summer camp held at the Willow Creek Salmon and Watershed Education Center in Edmonds, Washington. The center is a hatchery that they raise salmon fry to release into Willow Creek. The wetland on site is incorporated into many of …
Institute For Watershed Studies Research Assistant, Julia Ralston
Institute For Watershed Studies Research Assistant, Julia Ralston
College of the Environment Internship Reports
Going into this internship I had a couple of learning objectives, and I feel I was able to complete all of them successfully. First, I was expecting to learn the specific techniques for lake sampling and how to collect those samples without compromising them. This was a goal that I feel was completed. I was taught a method of sampling that works well for small lakes, like the ones that we sampled from. For most lakes we used waders and waded into the lake. We brought with us a very long pole with a bottle at the end of it. …
City Of Auburn Parks Dept Intern, Audrey Patton
City Of Auburn Parks Dept Intern, Audrey Patton
College of the Environment Internship Reports
My roles include weeding, removing invasive plants such as English Ivy (pictured below), hedging shrubs, pruning trees, watering flowers, designing garden beds, and planting annuals and perennials. Over the last 7 weeks, I have greatly increased my knowledge of natural systems in cities, specifically parks and gardens.
Skagit Land Trust Steward Internship, Ian Anderson
Skagit Land Trust Steward Internship, Ian Anderson
College of the Environment Internship Reports
The core task of this internship was to participate in volunteer work parties. One of the ways that Skagit Land Trust works to conserve the plots of land they manage is with volunteer work parties, where volunteers sign up to come out and work on improving some aspects of the Trust’s properties. My role in this was to assist the stewardship coordinators in setting up the work parties and participating in the work parties themselves. This mostly consisted of landscaping work such as weed whacking, trail clearing, invasive species removal, data collection, and tree planting.
Friends Of Acadia Intern, Jacob Haertel
Friends Of Acadia Intern, Jacob Haertel
College of the Environment Internship Reports
Completing numerous different projects and living in a national
park allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how different environmental non-profits
operate, as well as the National Park Service. Not only did I have administrative duties that
involved researching other organizations, organizing and archiving project files, and researching
former state bills, but I got to experience different field trips to other non-profits who work in the
area around Acadia, attend many different organizational meetings, and go to different sorts of
events. All of this while being within walking distance of the park itself allowed my
understanding of the conservation …