We are protecting the Salish Sea through collaborative stewardship & implementing science-based restoration.
One action, one shoreline, one community at a time, we are ensuring a more resilient marine and nearshore environment.
Whether you volunteer at an event, or get our newsletter, your curiosity matters.
The Salish Sea is a lifeline, a legacy, and a living system teeming with life. We work hand in hand with communities, scientists, and partners to protect and restore this incredible marine environment.
From removing harmful derelict fishing gear to restoring vital nearshore habitats and informing better shoreline stewardship. Our work is grounded in partnership, powered by community, and rooted in science-driven solutions. Together, we’re ensuring the Salish Sea thrives for generations to come.
 Our Programs
Derelict gear removal & prevention
Lost or abandoned fishing gear—crab pots, nets, web, and lines—poses a serious threat to marine life, navigation, and the health of the Salish Sea. The Northwest Straits Foundation leads efforts to locate and remove this derelict gear before it can cause further harm. These “ghost” pots and nets continue to trap crabs, fish, birds, and even marine mammals long after they’ve been lost, reducing populations and degrading vital marine habitat.
Through partnerships with local fishers, divers, state and tribal agencies, and community organizations, we’ve removed thousands of ghost pots and nets throughout the Salish Sea. Each removal project contributes directly to restoring ecological function and preventing unnecessary loss of marine species, including endangered salmon and Dungeness crab.
Shore Friendly Living & Nearshore Restoration
Our Shore Friendly Program empowers Puget Sound shoreline property owners, local contractors, and other interested stakeholders to make informed, cost-effective decisions that safeguard shorefront properties while supporting the health of the Salish Sea. From free site visits that provide expert guidance on erosion, vegetation, and alternatives to hard armoring, the program offers practical tools to help restore and maintain resilient, naturally functioning shorelines that benefit both people and wildlife. Our goal? To help you enjoy your beach while keeping it healthy for salmon, seabirds, and the whole Salish Sea.
Many successful restoration projects have begun through the Shore Friendly program. By taking full advantage of education, technical assistance, cost-share opportunities, and ongoing support, these efforts often grow into large-scale initiatives under our Nearshore Restoration Program. A substantial number of these projects are the result of dynamic, cross-sector collaborations involving private landowners, public partnerships, and community organizations. Working together we have restored 1 mile of vital nearshore habitat and continue to enhance the long-term resilience of the Salish Sea ecosystem.
Stewardship & Monitoring
Our Stewardship and Monitoring efforts help us understand how coastal habitats are changing over time, restoration projects are performing, and to continue care and maintenance for the shorelines we are restoring. By tracking key indicators—like vegetation, sediment movement, and forage fish species use—we ensure our work is rooted in data and adaptive management.
But restoration isn’t a one-time event—it’s a long-term relationship with place. That’s why we’re out in the field year-round, monitoring shifting shorelines, nurturing restored areas, and responding to signs of change. Like any living system, nearshore habitats need constant attention and care to thrive. Our staff, volunteers, and partners serve as dedicated stewards—returning season after season to check on planted vegetation, assess beach profiles, and document the return of key species like Pacific sand lance and surf smelt.
This ongoing presence allows us to build trust with communities, adapt to change, and make sure restoration investments are delivering lasting benefits. We are not just restoring shorelines—we are cultivating a culture of continuous care, where the Salish Sea is valued, watched over, and given every chance to recover and flourish.
Caroline Gibson Scholarship & Interns
The Caroline Gibson Scholarship honors the legacy of a passionate leader and advocate for marine conservation in the Salish Sea. This annual scholarship supports students pursuing studies in marine science, environmental policy, or related fields, helping to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. Caroline’s dedication to collaboration, community, and the health of our marine ecosystems lives on through the young leaders this scholarship empowers each year.
