We Are Puget Sound: Discovering & Recovering the Salish Sea

by David L. Workman

ISBN: 978-1-68051-258-8

Puget Sound is a magnificent and intricate estuary, the very core of life in Western Washington. Yet it’s also a place of broader significance: rivers rush from the Cascade and Olympic mountains and Canada’s coastal ranges through varied watersheds to feed the Sound, which forms the southern portion of a complex, international ecosystem known as the Salish Sea.

A rich, life-sustaining home shared by two countries, as well as 50-plus Native American Tribes and First Nations, the Salish Sea is also a huge economic engine, with outdoor recreation and commercial shellfish harvesting alone worth $10.2 billion. But this spectacular inland sea is suffering. Pollution and habitat loss, human population growth, ocean acidification, climate change, and toxins from wastewater and storm runoff present formidable challenges.

We Are Puget Sound amplifies the voices and ideas behind saving Puget Sound, and it will help engage and inspire citizens around the region to join together to preserve its ecosystem and the livelihoods that depend on it.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

David Workman is an American writer and editor with family roots in the U.K., the Netherlands, Alsace, and Germany, among other places. He was a journalist at several newspapers, then entered public service as communications director for several state agencies in Washington State. He was executive editor of state-published books and websites on natural resources, environment, and social and health services. He operates Workman & Associates, a communications consulting and publishing firm. In 2019, he was an author of "We Are Puget Sound: Discovering & Recovering the Salish Sea," published by Mountaineers Books / Braided River in partnership with the Washington Environmental Council. In 2015, he released “Letter from Alabama: The Inspiring True Story of Strangers Who Saved a Child and Changed a Family Forever.” In 2016, he released "An Author Tells All: Surprises and Revelatons from Publishing My Story."

Reviews

[Sara Temba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a coffee table book with beautiful photos but also lots of essays and features about the Puget Sound and the people who are working hard to protect it. I learned a ton from this book, a lot more than I was expecting. There were lots of details that I learned when reading Treaty Justice and I liked that it was ultimately a hopeful book. I need some hope these days. It made me appreciate that, despite a long history of the state of Washington abusing this important natural resource, it is ultimately the state and the communities surrounding it who will save it. Much work has been and is being done to protect it for the future. It makes me grateful to live in the state that I do and makes me want to continue to read about aspects of the Sound.

One interesting story I learned from the book - up until the 1970's, companies like Seaworld would come into the Sound and kidnap baby orcas to take back to their parks! What stopped it was in 1976 the assistant to the governor, Ralph Munro, was boating on the Sound and witnessed power boats and airplanes chasing down a pod of orcas and using explosives to scare them into nets. He was so appalled he lept into action and got the state to make an emergency lawsuit against Seaworld. They had to return the orca and were never allowed into the Sound again.

This book was a Seattle Library summer book bingo book! I used it for my Pacific Northwest Nature square, a recommendation from the library.
4.5 🌟

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

My hopes were high and it was a bit disappointing. The writing was weak, the numerous bios on WA transplants seemed excessive and unnecessary and the overwhelming information about policy a tad boring. What you want with a book like this is insider information specializing in the Puget Sound, but got more of a generic kid's elementary school report. Many of the photos were nice, I appreciated the maps, although I would have liked to have had more. After reading it I still feel unsure of the difference between the Salish Sea and the Puget Sound which I think was a missed opportunity. Less Debbie Downer about the effects of pollution and more information about the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, please.

[Ann Chenhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is rich in details with a clear bias toward conservation and environmental responsibility. I loved the intertwining of great photographs with text from numerous authors and experiences. I could see some might just thumb through looking for their own highlights. I chose to read every page and caption, not wanting to miss any details about the Salish Sea near my home. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter highlighting explorations around the Sound with maps. This is now full of post-it notes of road trips I want to take. Thanks Brian Cantrell.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book with compelling history of Washington, Seattle, and the Puget Sound/Salish Sea area, as well as a focus on the wildlife that lives here and what needs to be done to protect the area for the future. The pictures are also beautiful.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight to the area I call home. I had some issues with the layout of the texts with the pictures that kind of hindered my reading experience, but other than that I found it to be very informative. The pictures were stunning, makes me happy to live in Puget Sound.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. Interesting stories.

[wes moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, though it is a coffee table size book. I finished it in a few hours. Beautiful photos. Good read if you're visiting or live in the PNW.

[Kee Onn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee table picture book at first glance, but it's evident that the authors harbor deep love for the Puget Sound, the Salish Sea, and all her denizens.