Go with the flow - free the Deschutes! | | CEDE Series Summary of Takeaways | | |
It’s been a bittersweet start to Spring as we wrap up our Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary (CEDE) Winter workshop series. We hosted 6 workshops at the Olympia Center from January through March with an extremely engaged group of knowledgeable and passionate community members in attendance. We saw over 100 unique participants, with an average of 45 people in attendance at each workshop– wow! What a cool crowd! Thank you to all who showed up and showed us that we have an incredible community of collaborators here in the Deschutes Watershed. We’ve been reflecting on what we learned throughout the series and what we aim to do with all of this new knowledge. Our gears are still turning from that final Future Action workshop, but we’d like to share what we learned in the process. You can read summaries from each workshop here, which include a list of guest speakers and facilitators for each workshop– to whom we are so grateful!
One of the shining threads that stood out to us throughout the series was relationships. Relationships to the land, to each other, between organizations, with landowners, with our representatives, and with the past & future generations. We define our sense of place within the Deschutes Watershed through our relationships and we come to know what kind of future we can build as we deepen them. We educate and inspire, and ultimately empower each other to get to work, even if we don’t yet have it all figured out. We are driven, passionate, and concerted in our efforts toward stewarding the watershed that sustains us. And don’t you forget it!
Relationships are the hard part, and also the easy part. The rest? Well, you might not be surprised to hear that most of our takeaways can be boiled down to relationships, like the need for increased coordination & collaboration, especially through coalition building, organizing of online resources, and perhaps adopting a watershed council model. We also identified a need for more education and advocacy opportunities, as well as hands-on opportunities for community science and restoration. We dreamt up centralized meeting and education spaces to support these desires, embedded in a community connected by trails and public transportation. We envisioned a landscape full of thriving species and clean waters, nurtured by our own hands and in the spirit of reciprocity. And of course, no conservation conversation is complete without addressing the challenges we face with funding. All in all, we had a wonderful time and we can’t wait to do it again.
Please join us for a closing to the series during
Spring Arts Walk at the Alley Cafe
(Soul Cafe - 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501)
on April 26 from 12-7pm.
Artist Carrie Ziegler, who has been graciously performing graphic notetaking throughout the series, will be unveiling a final painting from the series. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and chat with Carrie about her work from 12-2pm.
DERT Board members and crew will be available throughout the 12-7pm period to talk estuary restoration and next steps following the series.
Can’t wait to see you there!
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Calling all Estuary Organisms!!!
The Procession of the species is rapidly approaching and there is still time for you to participate with the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team and the Puget Sound Esturarium!!
How do I get involved?
fill out the form via link above
& email:
casey.allen1813@gmail.com.
What organism will I be?
There is time to get into the warehouse and make a piece to carry or wear in the procession. You could be salmon, a barnacle, a heron, whatever estuary critter you like. Time is limited but there are simple ways to get involved. Make a salmon hat, purpose hat, seagull hat, full costume, etc.
What if I do not have time to make any art but want to participate?
We need you! We have a number of pieces ready to go, you just need to let us know and then show up for the Procession! We need people to be our water (already made, but add your own flare), we have extra salmon hats for our school of salmon & harbor porpoise hats, and there are others still!
Where is the art space?
Armory Creative Campus
515 Eastside St SE
Olympia, WA 98501
When Should I show up?
The Procession website has the open hours and it is free to the community! Everyone there is very friendly and helpful. Leslie Peeples, one of our volunteer coordinators, is commonly there, ask for her! Important dates:
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Saturday, the 19th: 11a-4p There will be a number of volunteers and DERT members at the warehouse, come in and meet folks, get your piece together, and potentially help paint the center piece.
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Wednesday, the 23rd: 5:30p-7:30p - Come for a Procession practice run! We will be spending time learning how we will move as a group, what type of fun antics we can do, and generally get ready for Saturday.
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Saturday, the 26th: Procession Time!
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3:00 pm - STUDIO CLOSES – Move all remaining projects left in the studio to the assembly point
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3:30 pm – Registration opens. Public assembles on Legion Way and Cherry between Jefferson & Chestnut in downtown Olympia. Windsocks and spangles are handed out.
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4:30 pm - Procession begins – rain or shine!
We hope to see you at
the Procession Warehouse and/or at
the Procession of the Species!!!
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LOCAL
Local groups adding estuary segment to
this year’s Procession of the Species
By Ty Vinson
Updated April 10, 2025 10:41 AM
The Procession of the Species on April 26 will feature more creatures than in previous years. The Puget Sound Estuarium and Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) are putting together an estuary section in an effort to symbolize the restored connection of the Deschutes River to Puget Sound. The procession traditionally has had four sections dividing species by the elements of earth, air, fire and water. DERT board member Casey Allen said the group is looking for participants who would like to volunteer and folks who might like to help with some volunteer coordination and theme coordination...[continued]
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Your continued support ensures our ability to stay up to date and engaged with issues impacting the Deschutes Estuary and watershed.
Please consider donating today to support our advocacy efforts.
| | A Walk with Firecraft Northwest | | |
We had a blast walking around Capitol Lake on April 4th with our friends at Firecraft Northwest. During the event, Wildlife of Capitol Lake and Deschutes Estuary, the sun was in our favor as we meandered through the trails of the Interpretive Park to identify birds, insects, plants, and signs of animals. We looked at features of the basin and discussed how they might change with the estuary restoration and return of tidal activity.
Firecraft Northwest offers free monthly outings in partnership with local organizations to help people reconnect with nature and learn about all the incredible work being done by local partners.
| | Learn more about their other offerings here. | |
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Saturday, April 19, 2025
6pm doors / 7pm film
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC),
Salmon Defense, &
the Olympia Film Society
PRESENT:
FISH WAR w/ Post-Film Q&A
Directors: Charles Atkinson, Skylar Wagner & Jeff Ostenson
2024 / 80 min
When the state of Washington made it illegal for tribes to fish for salmon in their usual and accustomed places, it was a declaration of war. FISH WAR follows the tribes’ fight to exercise their treaty-reserved fishing rights. A landmark court case in 1974 would affirm the tribes’ treaty rights and establish them as co-managers of the resource, but the fate of salmon in the Pacific Northwest still hangs in the balance.
GA $16.25 / OFS $13.25
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Sunday, May 11, 2025 / Second Sundays, May through August
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join the Puget Sound Estuarium as they walk the path their Education Team uses during their Estuary Life & Landforms field trips. Starting from the Estuarium, the tour will loop around the downtown core to track the historic changes to Olympia’s shoreline. Beginning at the Estuarium, stopping along the way from East Bay to West Bay, and eventually Capitol Lake to talk about how the cultural and ecological history intertwined to form Olympia into the city we see today.
Sea Stroll is 2 hours and the walk is approximately 1.5 miles long, so don’t forget your comfy walking shoes and please dress for the weather.
$18 / Kids 12 and under are FREE!
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BRINGING DIVERSE COMMUNITY LEADERS TOGETHER TO MOVE THURSTON COUNTY FORWARD ON CLIMATE ACTION
The South Sound Climate Action Convention (previously held in 2016 through 2019) is an opportunity for the community to gather to discuss the state of climate planning and progress in Thurston County. It's a time to collaborate on ways we can take action together to ensure a low carbon future and resilience for all, especially our most vulnerable populations. We will be reviewing progress on the Thurston Climate Mitigation and Resilience Plans and building community together to meet its goals!
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Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The Olympia Center, Room A
6:00 pm
You're Invited to Learn About the
City staff will provide a short overview of the concept drawings for the future park, trail and habitat restoration improvements at West Bay Park. Although construction is not yet planned, the completion of this master plan sets the stage for future grants, funding and collaboration.
Caregivers are welcome to bring children and if you would benefit from a special accommodation, please contact the City two days in advance of the meeting, or sooner.
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Summary
This cleanup site in Olympia has been used for wood milling since the late 1800s. Hardel Mutual Plywood (Hardel)
operated at this site from 1951 to 1996. Wood milling released hazardous substances into the environment.
Hardel signed a legal agreement with Ecology in 2007 and cleaned up the site in 2010. In 2012, Ecology listed the
cleanup as complete.
West Bay Development Group (West Bay) bought the property from Hardel in 2021. West Bay discovered areas of
contamination in soil and groundwater that were not found in the earlier cleanup work.
Therefore, this site needs more cleanup to protect human health and the environment. Please note that this comment period is about cleanup, not development, of the site.
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Two Documents for Your Review & Comment:
1) Agreed Order DE 21726 is a legal agreement between Ecology and West Bay. It requires West Bay to:
- Study the site to understand what kind of contamination is at the site, and where it is.
- Use that information to compare different options
- Suggest a cleanup option to Ecology.
2) Public Participation Plan is Ecology’s outreach plan. It describes how we will contact the public about this site, and opportunities for public input.
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The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. MTCA funds and directs the investigation, cleanup, and prevention of sites that are contaminated by hazardous substances. It works to protect people’s health and the environment, and to preserve natural resources for the future.
MTCA requires 30-day public comment periods throughout the cleanup process (Figure 2)
| | If you enjoy the work DERT does to engage our community in the health of the Deschutes estuary and watershed, please consider donating today! | |
| | You are part of the vision and hard work that guarantees the Deschutes River WILL meet Puget Sound without a barrier. Together, we will continue to advocate for the restoration of our urban estuary. Please consider donating to DERT today. | | | |
WA faces drought emergency for a third year after middling snowpack
By Conrad Swanson
"State officials are already concerned for water supply and hydropower production. Farmers are planning for another year of water restrictions, an early end to their growing seasons and perhaps the loss of entire harvests."
"Even if April is another soggy month, we still won’t catch up..."
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Sixty years later: More than 100,000 tires from failed reef plan are coming out of Puget Sound
By Farah Jadran
“When the ropes that tie them together dissolve, they can end up spreading out and actually damaging habitat and damaging wildlife, instead of enhancing it over time."
"[Dave] Upthegrove said removing all the tires they have located so far will likely cost more than $7 million."
| | | DERT'S mission is to realize a fully restored Deschutes Estuary that reflects and respects the history and culture of the south Salish Sea, and advocate for a community managed Deschutes watershed that provides for all inhabitants for generations to come. | | |
Do you have watershed news to share?
Send it to us at
info@deschutesestuary.org
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DERT'S mission is to realize a fully restored Deschutes Estuary that reflects and respects the history and culture of the south Salish Sea, and advocate for a community managed Deschutes watershed that provides for all inhabitants
for generations to come.
| | | THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS | | |
SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE
COMMUNITY SUSTAINING FUND
CLIMATE COMMITMENT ACT
THE FREAS FOUNDATION
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ROSE FOUNDATION
FOR COMMUNITIES & ENVIRONMENT
THE RUSSELL FAMILY FOUNDATION
AMAZON SMILE
INSPIRE OLYMPIA
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PUGET SOUNDKEEPER
NISQUALLY INDIAN TRIBE
WA STATE COMBINED FUND DRIVE
THE PARC FOUNDATION
THE MARIA RUTH FUND
| | Support for Deschutes Restoration and Community Engagement and the Microplastics Sampling Event was provided by the Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund, a grantmaking fund enabled by Waste Action Project and other Clean Water Act advocates’ program to protect the health of Puget Sound and its residents by enforcing federal water quality laws against serious violators. The Fund’s goal is to mitigate past pollution runoff by supporting community-based efforts to protect or improve the water quality of Puget Sound. The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment administers the Fund to enable community-based watershed stewardship in close nexus with the specifics of the enabling settlements. | | | | |
