Saturday, September 22, 2007

The Salish Sea

The term Salish Sea is relatively new. Biologist Bert Webber first suggested it in the 1970s while he was working of oil spill issues. The name relates to the language area of the Salish tribes and describes a bioregion bisected by the Canadian/American border. The Salish Sea includes; The Straits of Georgia, Straits of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. This inland seaway and glacial-fed river drainage is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. Though you may not see the name on maps it is growing in popular use among biologists, environmentalists and naturalists. In a step toward making it official the Salish First Nations named their council the Coast Salish Sea Council.
* information from Salish Sea, a Handbook For Educators

photo: Ken Balcomb - Orca Survey

No comments:

Post a Comment