SEATTLE — A Port-Angeles-based marine biologist and one of the armada of scientists studying the ongoing Elwha River restoration project has been honored for her conservation efforts.
Anne Shaffer, executive director of the Coastal Watershed Institute, has been named the 2013 Conservationist of the Year by the Society for Ecological Restoration’s Northwest chapter, based in Seattle.
March ceremony
The award, bestowed at a ceremony in March, was “in recognition of over 20 years of efforts to preserve, protect, restore or enhance environments necessary for healthy ecosystems,” according to the society’s website, http://chapter.ser.org/northwest.
The watershed institute has been working since 1997 to promote scientific research in the nearshore habitat along the Strait of Juna de Fuca and has worked with Peninsula College, Olympic National Park and the North Olympic Peninsula tribes.
Shaffer also has been a leader over the past 20 years in ecological restoration work relating to the mouth of the Elwha River, according to the society, and has helped organize efforts to monitor the effects of the $325 million Elwha restoration project currently under way.
The Society for Ecological Restoration’s Northwest chapter, founded in 1993, is a professional society working to protect habitat in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Northern California.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
