Balancing Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship in the Coast Salish Region

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Commander, Captain Linda Sturgis will discuss maritime safety, economic security and environmental stewardship in the Coast-Salish region.  As the Captain of the Port, she directly oversees the health of this dynamic body of water including the Salish Sea, Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca and offshore environment, encompassing over 3,500 square nautical miles along a 135 mile international border.  Captain Sturgis will discuss local Coast Guard operations and highlight collaboration with the Government of Canada, Tribal/First Nations, state/local government, NGO’s and the public at large to protect this vibrant and sensitive ecosystem.  During her discussion, Captain Sturgis will provide an opportunity for students to ask questions regarding international, national and regional maritime policy issues impacting the region.

 

The Winter, 2019 Huxley Speaker Series is co-sponsored by Huxley College of the Environment and WWU's Salish Sea Institute, presenting a 10-week series on issues facing the Salish Sea.

 

About the Speaker

Captain Linda Sturgis
Linda Sturgis
Captain, US Coast Guard
Captain Linda Sturgis serves as the Commander, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. She reported aboard from her most recent assignment as the Coast Guard Liaison to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command located at the Washington Navy Yard. 
While attending Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, Captain Sturgis enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1988 and served with the 88th Military Police Company at Fort Eustis attaining the rank of Sergeant. After completing her undergraduate studies at Old Dominion University in 1992,  Captain Sturgis transferred from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Coast Guard and received her commission from Officer Candidate School in 1993. She received her Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington and was assigned to the Center for a New American Security, a Washington DC based think tank where she published on marine spatial planning, Arctic maritime challenges, and port resiliency.
 
Captain Sturgis’ assignments include Coast Guard Headquarters, Office of Health and Safety; Office of Resource Management, Deck Watch Officer on Coast Guard Cutter MELLON (WHEC 717) home ported in Seattle, WA; Marine Inspector at Marine Safety Office Miami; Chief Port State Control/foreign vessel inspections at Marine Safety Office Puget Sound; Program Reviewer at Coast Guard Headquarters, Office of Budget and Programs; Commanding Officer at Marine Safety Unit Cleveland; and Prevention Department Head at Coast Guard Sector New York. 
 
Captain Sturgis has earned four Meritorious Service Medals, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, two Letters of Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, as well as several personal and Coast Guard unit awards. Balancing Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship in the Coast Salish region
 

Environmental Speaker Series

The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.

The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via zoom. Register with the Alumni Association for the zoom link. Paid parking is available in lot C.

Learn more about the Environmental Speaker Series
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