Social‑science advisory committee publishes Coastal Management special issue; panel explores integrating ESS into recovery work

Becky Hollander, social sciences coordinator at the partnership, introduced a recently published special issue of Coastal Management Journal that showcases applied environmental social science in the Puget Sound region.

"Environmental social sciences are essential to ecosystem recovery," Hollander said, summarizing the issue's key messages and four articles that cover risk to freshwater recreation, on‑site sewage system economic impacts, systemic barriers to salmon recovery, and social learning from the Elwha Dam removal.

SSAC members and panelists convened breakouts on four themes: increasing investment in social science, integrating environmental social science (ESS) with biophysical science and recovery practice, improving communications of ESS findings, and fostering stronger partnerships. Breakout recommendations included promoting interdisciplinary forums, using communication specialists to translate ESS findings for policymakers, and seeking slots for social scientists in existing technical symposia and forums.

Why it matters: the special issue documents applied ESS contributions to recovery work and highlights capacity gaps and structural barriers; panelists saw opportunities to leverage social science to improve policy relevance and public communication around restoration outcomes.

What’s next: SSAC and partnership staff will debrief breakout notes and propose next steps to the science panel, with opportunities for panel members to support outreach, integration and targeted investments.