Dungeness River Audubon Center

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE UNDERSTANDING, RESPECT, AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. THE RIVER CENTER SUPPORTS ITS MISSION BY PRESENTING A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. IN 2021, THERE WERE TWO MAJOR OBSTACLES TO PROVIDING PROGRAM SERVICES. THE FIRST WAS COVID RESTRICTIONS WHICH PREVENTED THE CENTER FROM CONDUCTING IN PERSON SCHOOL PROGRAMS, CAMPS, AND OUR FESTIVAL EVENTS. THE SECOND WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BUILDING WHICH CLOSED OUR FACILITIES. THE CENTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PUT FORTH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO PROVIDE ONLINE PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS.

MAINTENANCE AND STAFFING OF THE INTERPRETATIVE CENTER AND PARK: WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE COVID PANDEMIC AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, THE CENTER STAFF CONTINUED TO USE THE FACILITIES TO PREPARE AND OFFER ADULT PROGRAMS ON CONSERVATION, DIVERSITY AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. THE CENTER BUILDING ITSELF WAS CLOSED FOR THE MAJORITY OF 2021 DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AND COVID RESTRICTIONS WHICH NECESSITATED THAT STAFF WORK REMOTELY. THE BUILDING AND PARK CONTINUED TO REQUIRE MAINTENANCE EXPENSE INCLUDING SOME REPAIRS, JANITORIAL, UTILITIES AND HOST PRESENCE. AS THE NEW FACILITY WAS BEING BUILT, THE STAFF AND SOME VOLUNTEERS CONDUCTED VIRTUAL MEETINGS WITH LOCAL GROUPS AND AGENCIES WORKING IN NATURAL RESOURCES AS WELL AS VIRTUAL TOURS AND PROGRAMS ON WATERSHED CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, ECOLOGY, WILDLIFE, AND NATIVE PLANTS. THE BRIDGE AND PARK ATTRACTED VISITORS WHO MADE OVER 233,000 CROSSINGS ON THE BRIDGE. FOR 2021, A PORTION OF THE STAFF TIME WAS SPENT IN THE PLANNING FOR CONSTRUCTION, FOR ORDERING SUPPLIES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS FOR THE DESIGN AND PLANNING FOR A SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER EXHIBIT SPACE.

PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN - THE DUNGENESS RIVER NATURE CENTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED OUTDOOR AND CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND OTHER CHILDREN'S GROUPS. SPECIFICALLY FOR 2021, THE STAFF CONDUCTED THE NORTH OLYMPIC WATERSHED SCIENCE: SCHOOLS SUPPORTING SALMON PROGRAMS ENGAGED APPROXIMATELY 915 4TH AND 5TH GRADE STUDENTS AND 45 TEACHERS, ACROSS FOUR DISTRICTS ON THE NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA OF WASHINGTON STATE. THE PROGRAMS LEAD TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF HABITAT AND IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY TO SALMON POPULATION CHALLENGES, AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STABILIZATION AND RECOVERY. IN-PERSON PROGRAMS WERE LIMITED AFTER MARCH. FOR CLASSES WHERE IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WAS ALLOWED A LITTLE OVER 300 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS.DURING THE CLOSURE, THE STAFF CONTINUED TO OFFER VIRTUAL CLASSES AND TO PREPARE PROGRAMS THAT SOUGHT TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT HOW WATERSHEDS AND THEIR INHABITANTS FUNCTION AND THEIR VALUE TO COMMUNITIES, WITH THE DUNGENESS RIVER BEING USED AS THE CENTERPIECE TO THE EDUCATIONAL LESSONS

ADULT CLASSES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS: THE RIVER CENTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS CONDUCTED A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR ADULTS, RANGING FROM WEEKLY BIRD WALKS TO PRESENTATIONS ON CULTURAL INFLUENCES, DIVERSITY, AND LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA. BECAUSE OF COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT RIVER CENTER CLOSURE IN MARCH 2020, IN-PERSON CLASSES HAVE NOT BEEN POSSIBLE EXCEPT FOR OUTDOOR SESSIONS. DURING THE YEAR, THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OFFERED 18 VIRTUAL LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT WERE ATTENDED BY 1500 MEMBERS AND VISITORS. EXPENSES IN THIS CATEGORY ALSO INCLUDE THE TIME SPENT PREPARING FOR THE EXHIBITS AND HOW THEY WILL ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.