Experts from around the region
meet to discuss habitat and
land use (April 28, Kitsap
Conference Center, Bremerton).

Over the past three weeks, experts from around the region gathered for lively and productive conversations about the state of Puget Sound’s health. More than 560 people attended one of five topic forums centered on the Partnership goals — human health; water quality; habitat and land use; species, biodiversity and foodwebs; and water quantity. They provided comments and contributions to help shape the Partnership’s Action Agenda.

"The authors put a great amount of work into the papers, and they should be commended for their efforts," said one attendee. "The work of the topic forums and the comments from the attendees ensures the Action Agenda priorities will be based on sound science."

If you missed the topic forums, be sure to visit our Web site for videos with narrated presentations and everything else you need to stay informed. The April 25 water quality forum was also aired on TVW, and the broadcast is available on their Web site. The topic forum papers will be revised by late June and will include a summary of comments and how they were addressed, as well as a compendium of comment letters. Look for these on the Web by the end of June.

If you’d like to comment on the meetings or online materials, please use our online comment form.

The Partnership’s Sound Symposium originally set for May 28 is being rescheduled to allow more time to address the more than 1,200 pages of comments received from the topic forums.

"The topic forums spurred great discussions and feedback," said David Dicks, executive director of the Partnership. "We want to make sure we take the time needed to fully understand and incorporate what we heard."

A new date for the Symposium will be announced shortly with more details.

"It’s a real oyster lover’s oyster."

So exclaimed a New York executive chef after sampling the oyster judged "best tasting" at a recent national challenge - where 19 varieties of oysters from three coasts went up against each other in a blind tasting.

The winner?

The best tasting oyster not only came from Washington — it matured in south Puget Sound’s Totten Inlet.

"Some of our customers have been telling us we have the best tasting oyster," remarked Taylor Shellfish Farms President Bill Taylor, "but we are thrilled to have it verified like this by such an esteemed tasting panel."

The Partnership will be around the Sound this summer at a number of community events, including the Fremont Fair and Olympia Harbor Days. We’ll be spreading the message that the Sound is in trouble, letting people know about the Action Agenda and encouraging everyone to get involved in protecting and restoring Puget Sound.

Please check our online calendar for upcoming events throughout the Sound and we’ll also be sure to include local events on specific action area pages.