Modern Ecology examines what we know and don’t know about current wildlife, plants, and ecosystem trends on Vashon Island. We address questions like: Why are madrone forests common on Maury and not on the north end? How are salmon populations faring? How healthy are island watersheds, forests, shorelines and harbors? How does global climate change influence island habitats and species? And what can humans do to help island ecosystem health?

Bianca Perla has a doctorate in Ecology from University of Washington, a Masters in Animal Behavior from Northern Arizona University and a B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University. She is the founder and now Science Director of Vashon Nature Center which celebrated its 10th year in 2022. She was the lead curator for the Vashon Heritage Museum exhibit Natural Wonder: An Island shaped By Water. Bianca has authored and co-authored several books and scientific articles on a diversity of nature subjects including a recent scientific article on shoreline restoration in the journal Ecological Indicators (which includes information on Vashon beaches), Family Walks on Vashon, a book on prairie dogs called Prairie dogs: Communication and Community in an Animal Society published by Harvard University Press and more.