No targets are currently set for this indicator.
Index of Sense of Place on a seven-point scale based on how respondents agree or disagree with statements about their sense of place in Puget Sound (where 1 is strongly disagree and 7 is strongly agree).
The Sense of Place Index informs us about peoples’ emotional connection to Puget Sound. Understanding trends and variations in sense of place allows us to evaluate the human effects of restoration strategies. It also informs communication and marketing campaigns, opportunities for public engagement in restoration activities, and overall predictors of engaging in the Puget Sound natural environment.
Oregon State University Human Dimensions Lab
Data are collected every two years via paper survey and online response option to a random sample of Puget Sound households. The population is a clustered random sample of Puget Sound residents across 12 counties, with an initial sample of 9,000. Due to undeliverable addresses, the total sample reached was less than 9,000. In 2022, the response rate was 20.8 percent, with a total of 1,271 responses. In 2020, the response rate was 25 percent for a total of 1,843 respondents. In 2018, the first iteration of the survey, the response rate was 28 percent for a total of 2,323 individual responses.
The sense of place indicator is based on one question in the survey that asks respondents to rate their perceived agreement with seven statements representing different aspects of how the Puget Sound environment can contribute to their identity, pride, and attachment to place. These responses are then combined to form an index of sense of place.
For more information on the survey, see Appendix A. Detailed Methodology and Appendix B. 2022 Survey Instrument in the 2022 Summary Report.
The Sense of Place Index is made up of seven statements addressing attachment to Puget Sound as a place, Puget Sound contributing to one’s identity, and feeling pride in being from Puget Sound.
According to published analysis of the 2018 data, connection to place did not depend on length of residence in the region (Trimbach et al. 2020). While sense of place can be measured and experienced in different ways, even newcomers can have a sense of place that contributes to their environmental stewardship.
Reference:
Trimbach, D.J., W. Fleming, K. Biedenweg. 2020. Whose Puget Sound?: Examining Place, Attachment, Residency, and Stewardship in the Puget Sound Region. Geographical Review. DOI: 10.1080/00167428.2020.1798763
There are no significant differences since 2018. This lack of change is expected, as we don’t anticipate measuring large changes in human experiences until several years of monitoring and large ecological or social influencing events.
Harrington, K., B. Leach, Z. Antenucci, and K. Biedenweg. 2023. Human Wellbeing Vital Signs Survey 2022 Summary: A report on subjective human wellbeing indicators prepared for the Puget Sound Partnership.
Justiniano, I., C. Avendano, C. Lozano and K. Biedenweg. 2021. Vital Signs Latinx Survey. Report to Puget Sound Partnership.
Fleming, W., H. Kehoe-Thommen, B. Katz, J. Hart and K. Biedenweg. 2021. Vital Signs Survey Summary 2020: A report on subjective human wellbeing. Report to the Puget Sound Partnership.
Fleming, W. and K. Biedenweg. 2019. Visualizing Human Wellbeing in the Puget Sound (Vital Signs Survey Summary 2018). Report to the Puget Sound Partnership.
Human Wellbeing Vital Signs Interactive Web-interface (2018, 2020)
The Puget Sound Partnership believes in the transparency and accessibility of the data used to address puget sound indicators. These data are provided by contributing partners to the Partnership and are made publicly available through the Puget Sound Info site. These data are available on an "as is" basis and the Partnership is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. Please acknowledge the monitoring program and data source when using these data and obtain permission from the Vital Sign Indicator Reporter to use these data in a publication.
No Subcategories for this Puget Sound Indicator.