Marco Hatch

Marco Hatch is a Professor at Western Washington University's College of the Environment, where he leads the Coastal Communities and Ecology Lab. A member of the Samish Indian Nation, his research focuses on Salish Sea intertidal ecosystems, Indigenous resource management, and clam garden restoration. He directs the Coastal Almanac citizen-science initiative and holds an NSF INCLUDES grant supporting community-driven coastal monitoring.

Research integrates marine ecology with Indigenous knowledge to study bivalve productivity, ocean acidification impacts, and traditional aquaculture systems. Fieldwork examines sediment chemistry, larval distribution, and hydrodynamic processes in clam gardens.

Publications demonstrate strong emphasis on applied coastal ecology, blending geoscience with community engagement. Recent articles analyze hydrological dynamics in restored clam gardens, trophic shifts in managed ecosystems, and frameworks for equitable research partnerships.

He co-leads the Clam Garden Network and partners with Northwest Indian College through the PAGE program. Honors include the Seattle Aquarium Conservation Research Award.