Would you like to weigh in on the Partnership's work? Science and policy experts are gathering in topic forums to discuss key aspects of Puget Sound restoration - human health, water quality, habitat and land use, species/biodiversity, and water quantity. Each workshop will be designed to gather feedback from area experts as we move forward with development of the Action Agenda.

Topic forums are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Work gathered from the topic forums will be synthesized and shared (with the addition of quality of life information) at a Sound Symposium. All meetings are open to the public. Please RSVP for each meeting you plan to attend.

Can't make it to your favorite topic forum meeting, but still want to participate? Review the discussion papers posted on the Partnership's Web site and join an on-line discussion to share your comments.

Results from the discussions will be considered as each topic paper is refined. Comments are due by May 6.

In addition, check back after each meeting for narrated presentations that summarize the findings of discussion papers. As always, comments may also be submitted using our online comment form.

The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, a national blue ribbon commission on ocean issues, recently applauded Gov. Chris Gregoire and our state legislature's efforts to protect and restore Puget Sound. The commission's report awarded Washington an "A-" for "regional and state ocean governance reform". The report cited the formation of the Partnership and recent approval of new funding for Puget Sound recovery and restoration efforts as key activities.

"We all want to leave a legacy of a clean and healthy Sound for future generations and the Puget Sound Partnership is going to help us get there," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire. She also reminded us that although "we are on the right path to clean up Puget Sound, there is still a lot of hard work to be done."

The Puget Sound Partnership teamed up with the Shifting Baseline Ocean Media Project to produce a five-minute video called Shifting Baselines in Puget Sound.

The video helps people understand that, although the waters of Puget Sound look perfect and even pristine, the truth is much wildlife has vanished and the quality of the marine environment has been substantially compromised. The term "shifting baselines" refers to the idea of losing track of standards (or baselines) and failing to realize how much has changed.

Special thanks to the rock group Pearl Jam, led by Seattle native Eddie Vedder, who lent their song, "Oceans" to the piece.

Help spread the word by e-mailing the video to your friends and family.