Together with their monitoring partners, the Partnership reports on 60 Puget Sound Vital Sign indicators. Ten of the indicators are associated with 10- to 30-year ecosystem recovery targets.

Each indicator is evaluated for progress (change relative to a point back in time) and the subset of indicators with a set target are evaluated for target status (whether or not they are meeting their targets). The findings of the indicator progress and target status evaluations are compiled across all 60 indicators and presented below. A table of all Vital Sign indicators, along with their progress and status, can be downloaded via the link below.

Indicator Progress

The progress of indicators tells us how indicators have changed over time relative to a baseline reference, typically a point back in time. The conclusion about progress of indicators is represented with differently labeled circles.

Target Status

The status of indicators tells us whether they are meeting their recovery target. The conclusion about indicator status is represented with differently labeled squares.

Overall progress and status

While some indicators have gotten better over time, others show mixed results, are not improving or getting worse. Most indicators are not meeting their set targets. In some cases, there are not enough data (or no data are available at all) to reach a conclusion. For more information on the evaluation of indicators, please see the 2021 State of the Sound report and its assessment of Puget Sound conditions.