The Puget Sound Estuarium was founded by the South Sound Estuary Association (SSEA) in 2007.
We encourage community members to EXPLORE animals and plants in their local estuaries, where freshwater and saltwater meet. We CONNECT people of all ages to what is unique about this delicate, vibrant ecosystem. Our educational opportunities INSPIRE individuals to take better care of our shared natural resources.
In 2010, we were granted federal 501 (c) (3) status and have been registered since 2007 as a non-profit corporation with Washington Secretary of State. South Sound Estuary Association (SSEA) DBA Puget Sound Estuarium is also registered as a Washington state charity.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of Puget Sound.
Vision Statement
An educated community that is engaged and inspired to promote the ongoing health, conservation, and restoration of south Puget Sound.
Core Values
- Provide high quality educational opportunities
- Provide an exceptional interpretive center in Olympia, WA
- Respect, protect and help conserve the environment
- Provide educational content that focuses on the challenges and successes in the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound
- Enhance access and knowledge of parenting organizations and the programs and services they provide
- Engage and inspire the community through interactive education
- Facilitate opportunities for direct involvement in stewardship opportunities
Black Lives Matter.
Systemic racism, like climate change, is apolitical. It is a fact supported by data and it harms our colleagues, our students, our organizations, and the progress of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
We acknowledge our own lack of diversity, and the existence of institutional, systemic barriers that prevent people of color from attaining the higher education required to work in STEM careers. The Estuarium is dedicated to the mission of keeping our education affordable and accessible to all in order to bridge this gap, and ensure environmental education can reach the communities that are most affected by climate change and environmental racism. We accept responsibility to listen, to learn, and to do our part in reforming our institutions and dismantling these barriers.
For those looking for information on this topic, here is a small list of resources put together by our Education Team:
- Black in Nature Series Podcast
- Diversity in the Great Outdoors
- Equity & Inclusion: Fighting Racism in the Outdoors
- Equity & Inclusion in Environmental Education
- How Environmental Racism Shapes Us
- How to be an Ally in the Outdoors
- I’m a Black Climate Expert. Racism Derails Our Efforts to Save the Planet.
- People of Color in the Outdoors
- Read Up on the Links Between Racism and the Environment
- The Unbearable Whiteness of Hiking and How to Solve It
- Why Every Environmentalist Should be Anti-Racist
The Puget Sound Estuarium Board of Directors, staff, and key volunteers developed the 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan.
Click below to view the full document.
The Puget Sound Estuarium Annual Report is available to view via the link below.
Legal Documents
Governing documents, conflict of interest, and financial statements are available upon request. Email request to Estuarium@PugetSoundEstuarium.org