Salmon recovery is a collective effort involving a community of partners across Puget Sound. Tribal knowledge, scientific studies, monitoring, and assessments play a vital role in moving our salmon recovery and habitat restoration goals forward. They help us target where restoration efforts are most needed and carry out essential projects that protect and restore the habitat that salmon depend on. Some of the partners we work with include lead entities, local partners, non-governmental organizations, Tribes, regional fish enhancement groups, and community-based organizations.

FUnding to project implementation

We invest in this collective effort because healthy salmon are an important part of our region and our long-term wellbeing. Salmon runs also support jobs, recreation, and ecosystems across Puget Sound.

• Salmon Science Investigations - Supports studies that address key questions and knowledge gaps outlined in the Request for Information updated every two years.
  
• Watershed Habitat Assessments - Helps lead entities assess and report on salmon habitat conditions to understand progress toward habitat goals and plan implementation.
• Watershed Chapter Updates - Supports lead entities and Tribes in using new data and science to update local recovery strategies and targets.
• Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery - Funds high-priority monitoring projects that support recovery of Puget Sound and meet objectives of the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP).
• Puget Sound Scientific Research - The purpose is to fund projects that address priority information needs described in the Science Work Plan.

For additional information, please read the funded science projects.

Funding for Project Implementation

• Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration (PSAR) Base Funds - Supports restoration and protection of habitat projects for salmon recovery in Puget Sound. Projects are reviewed and selected by local citizen and technical committees led by Puget Sound lead entities. Contact your local lead entity coordinator for grant round information.
  
• PSAR Large Capital Projects - Funds the most regionally significant salmon habitat protection and restoration projects for Puget Sound reviewed and selected by a regional committee of experts. These projects usually cost more than one million dollars.
• Riparian Focused Projects - Supports stewardship of riparian areas through plantings, noxious weed control, and acquisitions. Contact your local lead entity coordinator for information.

Funding for Partner and Community Support

Our Strategic Funding Program can help connect community partners with funding opportunities that support salmon restoration. Email: strategicfunding@psp.wa.gov.

Key Dates:

Spotlight Investment

Our Leadership Council recently joined the City of Sumner, Puyallup Tribe, Muckleshoot Tribe, Pierce County, and many partners in celebrating the progress of one of the PSAR programs’ largest investments: the restoration of 170 acres of floodplain, riparian, and wetland habitat in the Lower White River.

This project opens a new area for the river to move into new channels and through wetland areas with help from constructed log jams, which helps reduce flooding risk for nearby businesses, and boosts the local economy by generating new jobs. It also supports White River Spring Chinook salmon, which are the only remaining spring Chinook salmon stock found in South Puget Sound.

Last updated: 12/05/25