Distribution, Abundance, and Seasonal Variability of Marine Mammals in the Southwest Puget Sound

The Master of Environmental Studies program at The Evergreen State College allows students of diverse academic backgrounds to participate in the scientific community by encouraging students to conduct thesis research of their own design. Kevin Lester, an art major from Pacific Lutheran University and an Olympia local, acquired a small sailboat and conducted a census of marine mammals in the Southwest Puget Sound ecoregion. Kevin was able to create detailed maps of the species observed, matching the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s estimates. His results fill voids within the existing body of literature and shed light on areas of future research yet to be completed.