priority projects

Elwha 2010 photos by John Gussman (above) and 2012 photo by Tom Roorda (right).  Elwha nearshore research and education. CWI coordinates the Elwha Nearshore Consortium, a group of scientists, managers, and citizens dedicated to understanding and promoting the nearshore restoration associated with the upcoming dam removals. The Consortium has identified a set of high priority needs to address prior to and during dam removal. Since nearshore restoration will only be partially restored the group has determined additional information is needed to understand what further actions are needed to achieve ecosystem restoration in the nearshore. Priorities include developing and implementing a nearshore restoration action plan, documenting long term fish use of the Elwha nearshore, defining the role feeder bluffs play in sediment dynamics of the Elwha nearshore, and understanding linkages between hydrodynamics and ecological function of the Elwha estuary and shorelines.

Protecting and restoring the nearshore of the central and western Olympic Peninsula. CWI provides leadership, scientific technical expertise, and coordination on a number of projects the North Olympic Lead entity (NOPLE) has  identifed priorities for restoration, including Crescent Bay and Salt Creek, Twins, and Clallam Bay nearshore.

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 the outer coast nearshore, which is made up of a series of small isolated estuaries linked by open high energy shoreline. The habitat function of this nearshore is poorly understood. The North Olympic Peninsula Coast Lead Entity (NOPCLE) has recognized this important need. CWI works with the coastal comanagers including via NOPCLE, and citizens group to further our understanding and wise management of local, regional, and cross regional functional relationships of the nearshore and watersheds.

CWI's top priority is 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.


Crescent Bay DoE(Left) Twin nearshore by Tom Roorda (right)