Sound Stewardship
Environmental stewardship is taking responsibility for our actions and choices that affect the environment. The Sound Stewardship Vital Sign tells us about people’s engagement in stewardship activities and whether management actions that encourage more sustainable behaviors are effective. A commitment to the efficient use of natural resources and protection of ecosystems not only improves environmental quality but can also lead to a higher quality of human wellbeing.
| VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | INDICATOR PROGRESS | TARGET STATUS |
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| VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | INDICATOR PROGRESS | TARGET STATUS |
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Key Vital Sign Messages
- Over half of Puget Sound residents engage at least monthly in stewardship practices that they feel benefit the environment or are needed by their community.
- Those who engage in stewardship are just as likely to be new residents as long-term residents.
- Residential behaviors that improve Puget Sound health are on the rise since 2012. The 2019 Sound Behavior Index reached its highest value: 1.1. This was the first time the index was above the baseline established in 2012.
- Compared to other parts of the country, Puget Sound residents generally exhibit behaviors that are more environmentally friendly.
- Participating in environmental stewardship activities strengthens the extent to which people identify with and feel positively attached to a specific place.
- Many organizations and agencies provide meaningful stewardship opportunities that improve Puget Sound health, including community science programs, community-based habitat restoration, and shoreline conservation at home.
Background Documents
- Leadership Council Resolution 2015-02, Human Health and Quality of Life Vital Signs and Indicators
- Human Wellbeing Vital Signs and Indicators for Puget Sound Recovery (2015), technical report describing the recommended portfolio of Puget Sound Human Health and Quality of Life Vital Signs and indicators
Other Resources
- People and Puget Sound
- Evaluating the Health of Puget Sound: Human Wellbeing
- Social Science Research and Efforts
- Explore articles related to human quality of life in the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
- Whose Puget Sound? Examining Place Attachment, Residency, and Stewardship in the Puget Sound Region. Trimbach et al. 2020
- Enhancing the Human Wellbeing Vital Signs through Inclusive Engagement Report, Trimbach et al. 2023.
Contributing Partners
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Related Strategies
Kenna Kuhn and Nathalie Hamel, Vital Signs Reporting Team
Last Updated
07/29/2024