Go with the flow - free the Deschutes!

The leaves are changing and there's a briskness to the air...and goblins and ghouls coming to your doors tonight!

All of us at DERT would like to wish you a Happy Halloween, and extend a huge thank you to everyone who made it out into the cold and rain to our Fall Fundraiser last Saturday!

First Annual Deschutes Watershed Symposium

Save the Date!

Saturday, November 22, 2025

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team, in coordination with Washington Departments of Ecology and Enterprise Services, is proud to host this symposium and bring together community partners and provide a platform for partnership building and sharing updates on the next steps towards freeing the Deschutes!

This event is FREE and will be held at the House of Welcome (Longhouse) at The Evergreen State College. Lunch will be served, a donation to help cover costs would be appreciated! Parking in B lot is free and provides easy access to the House of Welcome (see map below).

An update on the work on the Upper Watershed from Weyerhauser will highlight the morning session, along with speakers and a Water Resources Panel. The afternoon session will feature an up date about the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project, as well as a Q&A. As the end of the day, there will be time to network with other participants and ask/answer questions.

Spots are filling up fast! We have less than half of our tickets remaining for the symposium. RSVP today so you don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!

DERT is looking forward to seeing you

on November 22^nd for a day of watershed work!

If you would like to volunteer to help at the Symposium,

please email info@deschutesestuary.org.

RSVP Today!

Did You Get a Peek at the Chinook Salmon?

It's always a special sight as they make their way from Budd Bay!

DERT Founder, Sue Patnude, captured this excellent photo this month!

Follow the link for the JOLT article below for prime viewing locations.

Coming Soon:

An Updated Deschutes Watershed Guide!

DERT is excited to announce that a refreshed Deschutes Watershed Guide is in the works for 2026! Building on the beloved 2016 edition, this updated guide will highlight the unique ecology, history, and stewardship efforts within the Deschutes River watershed. It will serve as both an educational resource and an invitation to explore and protect our shared home in new ways.

News Around the Sound

East Bay Sediment Testing Identifies Contamination and Areas for Natural Recovery

Karen Andrade, Port of Olympia Communications Specialist

"After months of sediment sampling and lab analysis, we’re ready to share what our marine experts have learned about contamination levels in East Bay, the site of the first phase of sediment testing in Budd Inlet."

Read Full Article

Public Comment:

2025 Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit

DERT worked with several local partner organizations to make our recommendations for the expedition of modernizing sewage approaches to reduce nutrient pollution into the Puget Sound and Salish Sea.

Read Full Comments

Learn more about Nutrient Reduction in Puget Sound from:

Do you have watershed news to share?

Send it to us at

info@deschutesestuary.org

Check out our new website!

We have been making several updates to our online presence in recent weeks. You can now find regular updates from DERT at our new and improved website.

Visit our Website

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.

Donate Today!