Puget Sound is a magnificent and intricate estuary, supporting an abundance of resident and migrating life, notably two iconic, interdependent endangered species: Southern Resident orcas and chinook salmon. Join Seattle Public Library for an evening celebrating a new multimedia book and campaign We Are Puget Sound: Discovering and Recovering the Salish Sea to protect and restore Puget Sound. Join book contributors Mindy Roberts from Washington Environmental Council, writer David Workman and photographer Brian Walsh for a stunning visual journey through the complex web of marine and terrestrial wildlife, regional economies of fishing and agriculture, and through the lives of the people who call this place home. Also joining the event will be Sally Brownfield, educational advocate with the Squaxin tribe, and Darcie Larson from the Seattle Aquarium for a panel discussion and Q&A.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A place where freshwater streams and rivers mix with the sea, Puget Sound is a magnificent and intricate estuary. This astonishingly beautiful waterway surrounded by mountains and forests supports an abundance of resident and migrating life, notably two iconic, interdependent endangered species: Southern Resident orcas and chinook salmon.

Created in partnership with Washington Environmental Council and brought to life by a coalition of Northwest partners, We Are Puget Sound provides inspiration as well as actions individuals and businesses can take to reverse these trends. Experience the region on this stunning visual journey through the complex web of marine and terrestrial wildlife, regional economies of fishing and agriculture, and through the lives of the people who call this place home. Essays by writer David Workman, Suquamish Tribe chairman Leonard Forsman, and WEC Puget Sound program leader Mindy Roberts, alongside striking images from Brian Walsh and more than a dozen other professional photographers bring this place to life. Learn more about www.wearepugetsound.org

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Mindy Roberts leads the People For Puget Sound program at Washington Environmental Council, where she focuses on improving and maintaining the health of our unique ecosystem. WEC’s mission is to protect, restore, and sustain Washington’s environment for all. Mindy’s previous work focused on identifying sources of pollution to Washington’s waters – streams, rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound – and developing management actions to clean them up.

Sally Brownfield is one of the People of the Water, the Squaxin Island Tribe that has lived on and with the water and its plants and animals for thousands of years. She is an educational advocate for the Squaxin Island Tribe, developing comprehensive early learning programs, education and ecological advocacy, political action, and education options for students.

David Workman is a Washington State writer and editor. David was a journalist at several newspapers before entering public service as communications and education director for several state agencies in Washington and serving as executive editor of state-published books and websites on natural resources, environment, social and health services, and technology.

Brian Walsh is an environmental planner and nature photographer who has spent thirty years exploring the coastal lowlands and mountains of the Pacific Northwest with his camera.

Darcie Larson is the Community Engagement & Inclusion Manager at the Seattle Aquarium. The Seattle Aquarium is the region’s premier resource for hands-on marine experiences and conservation education, the Seattle Aquarium offers fun, exciting ways to discover more about the amazing Puget Sound and our world’s one big ocean.

This event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, author series sponsor Gary Kunis, and Seattle City of Literature. Thanks to media sponsor The Seattle Times. The event is presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company and Mountaineers Books (Braided River). Books will be available for purchase at the event.