Video | How will Puget Sound respond to competing pressures?

The forests, estuaries and open waters of Puget Sound are distinctly separate, yet wholly connected. That means what we do in the forests and mountains ultimately impacts what happens at sea level. Over the years we have drastically changed the natural environment to accommodate our population growth, and it shows. Puget Sound is not healthy.

Leaders around the region are grappling with how to restore and protect the Sound. Developers say they must build more homes as our population grows. Tribes and farmers are trying to make a living, and biologists are fighting for healthy salmon runs. How will the Sound respond to all of these pressures?

A group of journalists from around the country and Canada convened here in the summer of 2009 as fellows with Institutes for Journalism and Natural Resources to learn about the complex issues in this region. They spent nine days in the field, talking with scientists, business owners, farmers, tribal members, politicians and local residents. Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes served as director of the trip.

These videos present a snapshot of the journey. The issues are deeper and opinions more varied than what can be captured in several short videos, but the people and places you''ll see are part of the larger conversation about Puget Sound: its past, present and future.

Introduction | Exploring Puget Sound

Part 1 | Forests and Puget Sound

Part 2 | Estuaries and Puget Sound

Part 3 | Protecting Puget Sound