Can Clam Gardens Help Clams Survive Climate Change?

Led by Dan Sulak, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Clams are an important food and cultural resource for the Swinomish Tribe, but climate change—especially extreme heat episodes—is putting them at risk. To help protect clams, the Tribe has revived a traditional practice by building the first modern clam garden in the U.S. This project will study how well clam gardens protect clams from heat by tracking temperature in the sediment and water at the garden and a nearby beach. Researchers hope to learn whether these gardens create cooler conditions that help clams survive and thrive, and how those conditions change with the seasons.