About Us

Welcome to the Coastal Ecology & Restoration Lab in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at UW!

We strive to conduct research that pushes theory forward while also pursuing sustainable and adaptive conservation and restoration solutions that benefit people and the environment under global change.

Our interdisciplinary lab group uses a combination of field experiments, field surveys, social science methodologies, and synthesis techniques to understand: (1) the effects of human development and global change on coastal ecosystem resilience and sustainability; as well as, (2) the social framework in which coastal development decisions are made. While not system specific, our fieldwork typically focuses on salt marshes, oyster reefs, seagrass beds, and urban shorelines. The ultimate goal of our work is to pursue cutting-edge solutions to our most pressing coastal development issues with a particular focus on advancing the field of restoration to enhance the sustainability and resilience of coupled human-natural systems.

While research is critical for scientific advancement, we believe it is through the facilitation of appropriate management and policy changes that science can have a broader impact on society. Accordingly, we collaborate widely with practitioners, coastal managers, policy makers, and academics from various disciplines to ensure that our research projects have maximum utility.

Values

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and encouraging atmosphere for everyone, regardless of their personal history, identity, appearance, or communication style. Our team works with numerous partners inside and outside of academia and operates within a framework grounded in mutual trust and respect to cultivate strong collaborations. We are always working to grow and enhance our diverse skill sets through learning and innovation, and we deeply value the exchange of ideas through dialogue and writing.