Science. Collaboration. Action.
The Nature Conservancy’s Washington science team is bringing cutting-edge natural and social science to bear on critical conservation problems, to provide the research necessary to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
The Nature Conservancy’s scientific capacity is infused with flexibility and vigor by University of Washington undergraduate and graduate students and post-graduate researchers.
Latest Updates
Science Program
science collaborations include:
investigating forest SnowPack
We are investigating where to invest in our forests and rivers to improve climate resilience, watershed function and snowpack retention. Learn more…
Collaborating for Forest Research
We are working closely with our research partners and applying cutting-edge technologies to answer questions about old-growth forest restoration at Ellsworth Creek Preserve. Learn more…
Green infrastructure in urban communities
In collaboration with community partners in Tacoma, we’re learning about how trees affect temperature and human well-being.
Learn more…
Enabling Natural Climate Solutions
Our research identifies and enables these natural climate solutions for climate change mitigation, human well-being, and habitat resilience.
Learn more…
Developing a Stormwater HeatMap
We developed a heatmap to help investigate where green infrastructure can have the greatest impact in filtering polluted stormwater runoff and improving water quality for freshwater and marine systems in the Salish Sea. Learn more…
Advancing Restoration in Estuaries
Since 2012, we have been working with tribal, state, and local partners to develop and analyze restoration efforts to improve Chinook salmon habitat at our Port Susan Bay Preserve in the Stillaguamish River Estuary. Learn more…
Connecting land management to healthy waters & salmon
We're using innovative modeling techniques to quantify the effects of forest restoration and warming waters from climate change on salmon populations.”
Learn more…
Leading Dry Forests Research
We’re bringing together scientists from throughout The Nature Conservancy to answer key science questions about how proactive forest management can keep carbon in forests and protect communities from wildfires in the West. Learn more…
The TNC-UW Partnership
A scientific partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the University of Washington brings an emerging generation of scientists, educators and conservation leaders to this crucial work to create a shared future where people and nature thrive.
Fast Facts
96 publications by TNC Washington scientists since 2016
85 collaborators that work with TNC Washington scientists
450 scientists at The Nature Conservancy
16 scientists in the TNC-UW Partnership
5 scientists (TNC in Washington)
1 post-doctoral fellow (TNC in Washington)
10 students and fellows (University of Washington)
Who We Are
Michele Buonanduci, Postdoctoral Scholar
Michele works jointly with The Nature Conservancy and the University of Washington, researching how forest management practices and natural disturbances shape the resilience of forest ecosystems and the species that rely on them.
“Harnessing statistics to monitor and maintain healthy ecosystems”
Michael Case, Forest Ecologist
Michael studies forests, critters, and how people affect them. Much of his research has focused on the impacts of climate change and how people can build resilience in the face of such changes.
"Quantifying the impacts on nature and people."
Ailene Ettinger, Quantitative Ecologist
Ailene uses data and models to understand the species, communities, and ecosystems around us, especially effects of global change and conservation actions.
"Science in service of conservation, grounded in data."
Emily works across ecosystems, looking at how landscape configuration and management shapes relationships for food webs, organisms and ecosystem processes.
"Following water from snowcaps to whitecaps."
Anna Kottkamp-Hoard, Science and Conservation Specialist
As a Science and Conservation Specialist, Anna manages the science team operations and supports The Nature Conservancy’s portfolio of science projects through ecological research, fieldwork, communications, and partnerships.
“Connecting people and science for stronger relationships and better conservation actions.”
Maia Murphy-Williams, Applied Conservation Ecologist, Interim Science Team Manager
Maia manages the operations of the science team and provides strategic integration between the conservation and science teams. Maia applies science to conservation challenges by connecting our science teams and conservation practitioners to solve complex problems. Maia also brings innovative research techniques to wildlife monitoring through use of AI.
“Using connection, collaboration, and creativity to increase the impact of our science.”
Jamie Robertson,
Conservation Geographer
Jamie works in spatial analysis and mapping at all scales, from global freshwater and marine habitat assessments to site-level optimization for wetlands.
"Ready to explore, discover, learn and share!"
Information for Scientific Research Partners
To facilitate collaboration on scientific research, The Nature Conservancy’s Washington Business Unit applies a standing indirect cost rate to agreements for this purpose. Read our full policy.
