About the Project

Tidal wetlands sequester and store exceptionally large amounts of organic carbon per unit area—often referred to as “blue carbon.” This vital ecosystem function can play a significant role in offsetting anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The Pacific Northwest Blue Carbon Working Group (Working Group) collaborated closely with two National Estuarine Research Reserves and other partners planned and implemented the Phase 2 project to improve understanding of blue carbon dynamics and support management at regional and national scales.

The Phase 2 project, previous NSC and NOAA-supported Working Group projects, and collaborations among the broader Working Group have been instrumental in advancing blue carbon science and shaping natural climate solutions policy in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Their efforts—through collaborative research, policy engagement, tool development, and regional coordination—have had both direct and indirect impacts on climate mitigation. As a result, the Working Group has helped integrate coastal ecosystems into broader climate strategies, influencing both scientific practice and policy decisions.

About this Resource

Project Lead Craig Cornu (Institute for Applied Ecology) gives a 5 minute introduction to "Pacific Northwest Blue Carbon Working Group: Phase 2 Blue Carbon Project," a collaborative research project funded in 2020 by the NERRS Science Collaborative.