KWIAHT CENTER FOR THE HISTORICAL ECOLOGY OF THE SALISH SEA
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Mission Statement
Founded by Coast Salish Native leader Ken Hansen in 2006, Kwiaht's mission is science for stewardship of the San Juan Islands: working with Indian Tribes and local communities to protect and restore ecosystems, and conducting scientific research that strengthens good stewardship of cultural and biological resources incorporating local knowledge and a Coast Salish perspective as well as cutting-edge technology. Kwiaht's scientists and students pursue research and habitat recovery projects cooperatively in marine and terrestrial ecosystems using tools from palaeoecology, population genetics, environmental biochemistry, botany, zoology, and eco-engineering.
About This Cause
Wide ocean vistas, flowering meadows, and healthy marine resources are attractions of life in the Northwest's San Juan Islands. Healthy ecosystems enhance our quality of life and draw visitors and new homeowners. But human activity also impacts island ecosystems and the unparalleled natural environment that residents and visitors enjoy today. "Kwiaht" means "a place that's been kept clean" in the Native American (Coast Salish) language of our islands. It recognizes that people must work hard to take care of special places, plants and wildlife. As an islands-based scientific organization run by islanders—scientists and students, and over a hundred volunteers—Kwiáht is uniquely situated to help islanders find a healthy balance between people, plants and wildlife. Kwiáht inventories and maps our living treasures from seabirds to salamanders, and from butterflies to bats. Our growing knowledge base depends on reports and specimens from islanders, young and old, as well as our own scientific studies. Kwiáht’s unique Marine Health Monitoring Network includes seven community driven, placed-based teams throughout the archipelago. Each observatory team takes the pulse of rare and sensitive species such as salmon, seahorses, sea anemones, seabirds, bats, and native wildflowers. Kwiáht also uses the historical maps and photos, geology and archaeology to explore the islands’ ecological past. Kwiáht’s databases, collections and plant diversity bank comprise the islands’ memory of ecosystem richness and change. Whether you are wondering how to restore a wetland, what to plant in your backyard for local wildlife, or whether the turtle in your pond is a native species or pet-store fugitive, we have the most complete, up-to-date information on how island ecosystems work and how they are changing. Kwiáht scientists spend hundreds of hours each year in local schools as well, stimulating the curiosity of young islanders by providing hands-on adventures in science, and, at the high school and college level, paid apprenticeships. To the extent possible we provide meaningful employment for young islanders returning with science degrees. A majority of our apprenticeships and young scientists are women. With a large volunteer base and commitment to local conservation, Kwiáht can carry out research for a fraction of the cost of university-based programs, and spends less than five percent on administration. Competitive research grants are short-term, however. Without secure long-term financial support, it will be increasingly difficult for Kwiáht to maintain its living collections, its ecosystem monitoring stations, and its school programs. Help us preserve the living legacy of island wildlife and plants for future generations of islanders and visitors! Consider a legacy gift to help us endow and sustain the Marine Health Monitoring Network, our native plant gardens, Amphibian Watch, homes for bats and apprenticeships in biochemistry, genetics and eco-engineering for the next generation of island Orcas youth.