Department of Ecology
Committees, Boards, and Workgroups

Working Group Description and Purpose

Ecology is considering the feasibility of a Blue Carbon Offset Protocol for the Cap-and-Invest Offset Program. “Blue Carbon” refers to carbon dioxide stored in aquatic ecosystems such as seagrass beds, wetlands, coastal and riparian forests.

The Blue Carbon Offset Exploratory Working Group will provide input on specific scientific and technical considerations related to the development of Blue Carbon Offset protocols. The working group will be composed of individuals with experience or expertise related to the development, implementation, registration, or verification of offset protocols relevant to the scope of the Blue Carbon Offset Explorative Working Group. 

Ecology will use the input to consider revisions and additions to the offset protocols adopted in WAC Climate Commitment Program Rule, as a part of the WAC 173-446 Offsets Rulemaking.

Meeting Schedule

The first meeting of the Blue Carbon Exploratory Working group occured Thursday, April 9, 2026. We expect to meet once a month through September. These meetings are open to the public to view and there will be an opportunity to provide relevant public comment at the end of each meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM PST. Recordings of previous meetings are availible at the links below.

• Meeting #1 – April 9, 2026
• Meeting #2 – May 7, 2026
• Meeting #3 – June 4, 2026
• Meeting #4 – August 6, 2026
• Meeting #5 - September 3, 2026

Working Group Members

• Ailene Ettinger - Senior Research Ecologist - The Nature Conservancy         
• Amy Kessler - Director of Market Development - Climate Action Reserve   
• Lillian Aoki - Assistant Professor - University of Oregon       
• Jude Apple – Director: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Washington Dept of Ecology           
• Jill Bieri - Director: Virginia Coast Reserve - The Nature Conservancy
• Jackson Blalock - Marine & Estuarine Resilience Program Manager - Pacific Conservation District
• Robinson Low - Habitat Policy Senior Manager - Washington Conservation Action
• Candace Penn - Climate Change Ecologist - Squaxin Natural Resources      
• Harriet Morgan - Climate Change Coordinator - Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife           
• Lena Capece – Associate - Silvestrum Climate Associates     
• Helena McMonagle - Postdoctoral Research Scholar - Arizona State University      
• Jamie Mattson - Water Resources Specialist/Planner - Lummi Nation         
• Christopher Janousek - Associate Professor - Oregon State University        
• Katrina Poppe - Research Associate and Adjunct Faculty - Western Washington University/University of British Columbia    
• Steve Crooks - Principal: Wetland Science and Costal Management - Silvestrum Climate Associates           
• Sadie Normoyle - Policy Advisor - Washington State Department of Natural Resources     
• Cynthia Catton - Aquatics Science Advisor - Washington State Department of Natural Resources 
• Rachel Skubel - Aquatic Stewardship Lead Scientist - Washington State Department of Natural Resources       
• Steve Hinton - Conservation Scientist - Tulalip Tribes
• Parker Hill - Forest Environmental Planner - Quinault Nation           

Additional Working Groups

• Ozone Depleting Substances Technical Working Group (Completed)
• Environmental Justice Offset Working Group (Completed)
• Forest Offest Technical Working Group  (Completed)

To stay informed about the working group and our offsets program please subscribe to our Cap-and-Invest Offsets email list and check out our Cap-and-Invest Offsets webpage.

Resources

• Cap-and-invest offsets webpage
• Chapter 173-446 WAC – Cap-and-invest offsets rulemaking webpage
• WAC-174-446-505: Requirements for compliance offset protocols
• Public comments on the rulemaking
• California Air Resources Board Compliance Offsets Protocol Final Recommendations

Working Group Contact

Austin Atterbury-Kiernan, Offsets Rulemaking Planner
CCAOffsets@ecy.wa.gov