Animals in national parks impacted by even just a few people

By Michelle Ma, UW News

A new study found that nearly any level of human activity in a protected area like a
national park can alter the behavior of animals there. 

Photo Gallery: 2022 Salmon BBQ

We recently hosted our annual Salmon BBQ to a large crowd that was very happy to gather together! The weather was beautiful with the sun shining on some fall-colored trees. Everyone enjoyed some delicious salmon grilled in the courtyard as well as a joyful afternoon among friends and colleagues. 

Fall Quarter 2022 Welcome from Director Dan Brown

Welcome back to the new academic year. It’s good to be back after what I hope was a productive summer, and nice to see our beautiful campus busy with activity again. 

Incoming SEFS Faculty Member Authors Washington Post Article on Adaptation to Hurricane Impacts in Puerto Rico

The authors of the article, which includes incoming SEFS faculty member Dr. Sameer Shah, remind readers that human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Adaptation to these changes requires addressing infrastructure, as well as financial and governance structures. 

New direction for UW Botanic Gardens focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion

By Lauren Kirschman, UW News
Botanical gardens historically are exclusive spaces, but the University of Washington is working to change that. Many gardens originated as private spaces for predominantly white and wealthy individuals, said UW Botanic Gardens director Christina Owen. 

Bird behavior influenced by human activity during COVID-19 lockdowns

By Will Shenton, UW College of the Environment
For humans, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic were a stressful time, marked by fear, isolation, canceled plans and uncertainty. But for birds that inhabit developed areas of the Pacific Northwest, the reduction in noise and commotion from pandemic lockdowns may have allowed them to use a wider range of habitats in cities. 

SEFS welcomes three new Assistant Professors

Last October, the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) launched a search to recruit three Assistant Professors whose work in climate adaptation can contribute substantially to our research and teaching programs. 

SEFS Celebrates Graduation in person with Class of 2022!

On a beautiful sunny morning on June 10th after two years of online graduation ceremonies, the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) was thrilled to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2022 in person on the UW campus. 

Emeritus professor Robert Edmonds captures SEFS history

SEFS is excited to share Dr. Robert Edmonds’ book highlighting the history and development of SEFS, “Saving Forest Ecosystems: A Century Plus of Research and Education at the University of Washington.”
Check out this UW News interview with Dr. 

The Seattle Times highlights SEFS doctoral student’s efforts in climate change

The article describes the work of doctoral student Autumn Maust working with Dr. Patrick Tobin in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on the impacts of wildfires on native bee communities for her PhD project, ‘Mixed severity wildfire and native pollinators: Exploring trends in bee fitness and community composition in eastern Washington’.