University of alaska anchorage will utilize a consortium of research organizations to coordinate collaboratively through the kachemak BAY national estuarine research reserve to conduct studies on…

University of alaska anchorage will utilize a consortium of research organizations to coordinate collaboratively through the kachemak BAY national estuarine research reserve to conduct studies on watershed ecosystem support for salmon. This project is designed to expand the scope of baseline research on ecological impacts to salmon health and provide field-based engagement and alternative ways of conveying scientific information about watershed habitats and salmon. This project will build on existing local partnerships with the kachemak heritage land trust and the ninilchik tribe and expand to new partnerships with tribal groups in the cook inlet region. The project includes developing stakeholder-informed monitoring of ecosystem features key to salmon health, and a focus on developing different ways of knowing watershed stewardship that include traditional ecological knowledge, art, community engagement and western ecological science.