PUGET SOUND VITAL SIGNS

Measures of ecosystem health and progress toward Puget Sound recovery goals
Forests and Wetlands
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Forested lands and wetlands are essential to freshwater quality and the overall health of Puget Sound. Forests and wetlands naturally filter water and help with flood mitigation and water storage. They also provide food and habitat for wildlife and support human health and well-being through recreational opportunities and a natural resource-based industry. The Forests and Wetlands Vital Sign tells us about the extent and condition of these important terrestrial habitats.

As Puget Sound's population grows, so does the need for roads, housing, and commercial development. We must balance development pressure with protection of the important functions provided by forests and wetlands.

Forested lands and development.
VITAL SIGN INDICATOR INDICATOR PROGRESS TARGET STATUS
VITAL SIGN INDICATOR INDICATOR PROGRESS TARGET STATUS

Key Vital Sign Messages

  • A collaboration of federal, state, and local governments, tribes, local recovery groups, nonprofits, and the private sector worked together to develop an Implementation Strategy of the best approaches to achieve recovery targets for Puget Sound land development and cover.
  • The Implementation Strategy identifies key strategies to redirect development pressure and reduce conversion of ecologically important lands, while supporting working lands, and protecting and restoring natural and vegetated areas.
  • Central urban centers such as Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma are experiencing rapid growth. According to the Department of Commerce, as of 2017, less than 10% of growth in the Puget Sound region occurred in rural areas over the past few years. However, as growth continues to increase, there are indications of growing development pressure in rural areas close to urban growth boundaries.

Background Documents

Implementation Strategy

The Partnership and its affiliated network of researchers works with the three Strategic Initiative Lead Teams on Implementation Strategy development and operationalization. Please read more about these teams and our shared work at https://pugetsoundestuary.wa.gov/recovering-puget-sound/

Indicator Targets

Other Resources

Contributing Partners

Related Strategies
Mary Ramirez and Nathalie Hamel, Vital Signs Reporting Team
mary.ramirez@psp.wa.gov
Last Updated
5/31/2023