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August saw our first ever Salmon Stewards camp! Four days of hands-on activities, crafts, and games centered on the salmon life cycle culminated in an exciting moment: releasing live coho fry into the pond.
As campers gently tipped their cups and watched the fry swim into calm water, it took a little imagination to wonder: Where will they go next? How will they make their way to the river and eventually the ocean?
One favorite activity was an obstacle course that put kids in the fins of a salmon journeying to the ocean and back again to spawn, highlighting the many challenges salmon face along the way. Those challenges are especially apparent right now, as the Dungeness River is currently flowing at critically low levels, limiting habitat for spawning salmon.
How can we help? Conserving water at home leaves more water in river for fish: limit outdoor watering, fix leaks promptly, shorten shower times, and turn off the tap when you scrub and brush. Every drop counts!
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OPAS Backyard Birding: Bird-Friendly Communities
Date & time: Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free to attend, $5 donation suggested
Hear from experts who will overview the three OPAS conservation initiatives included under the “Bird-Friendly Communities” umbrella: North Olympic Wildlife Habitat, Project BirdSafe, and Lights Out!
Photo: 'Creating a native plant garden' by Evan Barrientos / Audubon
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Film Series: "Listers"
Date & time: Sept. 10, 6-9 p.m.
Free to attend!
“Listers” is a comical documentary about two brothers who are brand new to birdwatching and decide to turn their newbie, uninformed 'Big Year' into a film. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a bird-curious social hour and casual trivia, followed by the screening at 7 p.m.
Content advisory: "Listers" is not rated, contains 'fowl' language & drug references.
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Teen Nature Jeopardy
at the Sequim Library Branch
Date & Time: Sept. 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free, no need to RSVP; pizza & snacks will be provided!
Ages: Teens in grades 7-12, come in a group or join one!
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Junior Naturalist:
Color Changing Cabbage
Date & Time: Sept. 12, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free ($5 donation appreciated for supplies); please RSVP
Ages: Open to all ages (ages 4-11 suggested)
| | OPAS Field Trip: Elwha Through the Seasons | |
Date & time: Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Meeting place: Madison Falls parking lot
Free to attend, spots are limited so please RSVP
Join leaders Ben Hannah and Kathy McCoy for the third installment of OPAS's year-long Elwha Valley series. Beginning at Madison Falls, we’ll scan the river for waterbirds and early fall migrants, then revisit a nearby bigleaf maple grove before walking about a mile along Olympic Hot Springs Road through a mix of river, forest, and open-field habitats.
Photo: 'American Dipper' by Dow Lambert
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Nature Journaling
Date & Time: Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person
Slow down, look closely, and reconnect with the natural world through the mindful practice of nature journaling. Use words, numbers, and pictures to describe and reflect on our surroundings. Supplies (colored pencils, watercolor, paper) are provided, but feel free to bring your own!
| OPAS Program: "The Feather Wars" | |
Date & Time: Sept. 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend, donations appreciated
Hear from author James H. McCommons on his latest book, The Feather Wars: And the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds, which traces how Americans came to understand that birds were not an infinite resource. With the rapid extinction of the Passenger Pigeon—a bird once so numerous that its flocks darkened the sky in flight—many realized that actions were needed if other birds were to be saved.
Photo: 'Canada Goose and chicks' by Michael Cohen / Audubon Photography Awards
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Date & Time: Sept. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Free to attend!
Celebrate the natural and cultural resources of the Dungeness Watershed. A fun and educational experience for all ages!
- Hands-on exhibits and demonstrations about the Dungeness Watershed's environmental and cultural importance
- Meet representatives from conservation, education, and recreation organizations, including the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service & more
Thank you to this year's sponsors! The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Wild Ones Olympic Peninsula Chapter, and Battelle (operates Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA).
| | Wednesday Morning Bird Walks in Railroad Bridge Park | | |
Wednesday Bird Walks is one of the River Center’s longest-running programs. For 24 years, volunteers have conducted weekly bird surveys along the Olympic Discovery Trail, collecting valuable data on local bird populations.
Join us Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.—bring your binoculars and meet in the River Center parking lot.
| | | |  | Don't miss the final nature journaling program of the year! Cost is $10 per person, sign up online. | | | |
Nature Storytime with NOLS
Date & Time: Oct. 10, 10:30-11 a.m.
Free to attend!
Ages: Open to all, geared toward 5 and younger
Listen to nature-related stories, songs, and rhymes outside on the plaza at the Nature Center.
| | Not-So-Scary Halloween on Friday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m. | |
Mark your calendar for a night of learning, adventure, and fall fun for the whole family! Festivities include: costume parade, nature-inspired games, fall crafts, sweet treats, a photobooth, flashlight hike, Halloween-decorated Exhibit Room and more! Come dressed in your best costume and bring a flashlight.
Admission is $8 for adults, kids $4, ages one and under are free. Get your tickets!
| | Submit Your Railroad Bridge Park Photos | | |
Calling all photographers! Do you take photos when visiting Railroad Bridge Park? If you've captured images of the river, bridge, walking trails, wildlife around the park, etc., we'd love to see them!
We're planning to regularly feature photos taken by visitors on our website and social media channels. To have yours considered, fill out the online photo submission form (Gmail account required) or email them to jensen@dungenessrivercenter.org. Photos are accepted on an ongoing basis.
| | Have Your Holiday Party at the River Center | | |
Holiday party planning starts now! The River Center's rental spaces book fast during the holiday season. If you're considering hosting your celebration with us, we encourage you to reserve your space as early as possible.
Choose the space that fits your gathering:
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Rainshadow Hall: Accommodates up to 100 guests
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Riverside Room: Accommodates up to 18 guests
| | $50,000 Raised at Dine on the Dungeness | | |
A massive thank you to the generous attendees of Dine on the Dungeness, who collectively donated $50,000 for River Center education programming and operations!
If you attended, we hope you had a great evening! And thank you to all of the board members, staff, and volunteers who made the event possible.
| | Your Next River Center Visit | | |
New Items at the Gift Shop!
Make a stop at our gift shop to discover a variety of items for all ages! Explore nature-inspired books for kids and adults, educational toys, hands-on crafts, and charming decor that brings a bit of the wild into your home.
What's new: New nature-themed t-shirts (kid and adult), mugs, glasses, water bottles, stuffed animals & more!
All proceeds benefit the River Center's education programs & operations.
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Hurricane Coffee at the River
Normal Hours: Tues. thru Sat., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Current Specials:
- House-made pumpkin spice syrup, get it in a latte or cold brew!
- Poison apple spritzer
- Homemade brown sugar pop tart
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Stop By Our Wildlife Viewing Room
Come relax in our cozy Wildlife Viewing Room, a quiet space that looks out onto the Rain Garden. It's a great place to watch local birds and other wildlife at your own pace. We’ve got binoculars and bird guides ready for you, so all you need to bring is a little curiosity.
Bonus: you can bring your coffee and pastry in!
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We'd Love to Hear From You!
What would you like to see more of in our newsletter? Are there specific topics, seasonal tips, or conservation projects you’d like us to cover? Whether it’s local wildlife, volunteer opportunities, or upcoming events, your feedback helps us make this newsletter meaningful for our community.
| | Donate: Your contributions play a crucial role in sustaining our mission of environmental education and conservation. Donations—big or small, one-time or recurring—make a meaningful impact that allows us to continue our vital work in the community. | | | |
Note: A donation does not automatically create or renew a River Center membership.
All gifts are tax deductible. The River Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 91-163294).
| | Become a Member: Support a cause that shares your values while getting access to members-only events, early registration, and event discounts. | | | Visit Us: Come out and explore our beautiful park with nature trails, river access, and wildlife watching. Discover the story of the Dungeness River Watershed through the Center’s educational exhibits and community classes. | | |
The River Center is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays 12 - 5 p.m.
Railroad Bridge Park is open daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Questions? Call the River Center at 360-681-4076 or send an
email to info@dungenessrivercenter.org.
| The Dungeness River Nature Center's mission is to inspire understanding, respect, and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources. | | | | |
