Dungeness River Nature Center

THE ORGANIZATIONS 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.

MAINTENANCE AND STAFFING OF THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND PARK: WORKING AROUND THE CONSTRAINTS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR FOLLOWED BY A MAJOR RESTORATION PROJECT THE CENTER STAFF CONTINUED TO USE THE FACILITIES TO BOTH TEACH AND PREPARE PROGRAMS ON CONSERVATION DIVERSITY AND THE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. THE CENTER BUILDING ITSELF WAS CLOSED FOR 6 MONTHS DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, THE BUILDING AND PARK CONTINUED TO REQUIRE THE HOST PRESENCE AS THE NEW FACILITY WAS BEING BUILT, THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS CONDUCTED MEETINGS WITH LOCAL GROUPS AND AGENCIES WORKING IN NATURAL RESOURCES AS WELL AS TOURS AND PROGRAMS ON WATERSHED CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ECOLOGY AND WILDLIFE AND NATIVE PLANTS. AFTER THE GRAND OPENING OF OUR NEW FACILITY THE STAFF WAS VERY BUSY OPERATING THE VISITOR CENTER AND MANAGED 10,183 WALK -IN VISITORS JULY THROUGH DECEMBER. MANY MEETINGS, TOURS, AND CLASSES WERE HELD TO INTRODUCE THE NEW FACILITY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

ADULT CLASSES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS: ONCE THE CENTER OPENED IN JUNE OF 2022 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. DURING THE LAST 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE CENTER WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WE MANAGED 453 EVENTS IN OUR BUILDING. EXPENSES IN THIS CATEGORY ALSO INCLUDE THE TIME SPENT PREPARING FOR EXHIBIT INSTALLATION INCLUDING, ASSISTING IN DESIGN, MANAGING THE PROJECT, AND PREPARING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP INTERPRET.

PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN ALTHOUGH MANY IN-PERSON PROGRAMS WERE LIMITED DUE TO BOTH CONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS THE DUNGENESS RIVER NATURE CENTER STILL MANAGED TO CONDUCT SOME OF OUR SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMMING. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED FOUR MULTIDAY SUMMER CAMPS INCLUDING GIRLS IN THE OUTDOORS, EXPLORING THE OLYMPIC DISCOVERY TRAIL, DIRTY TIRES BIKE CAMP, AND FAIRWELL TO SUMMER NATURE CAMP. THE CENTER WAS ALSO ABLE TO PROVIDE OUTDOOR AND CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS GROUPS. SPECIFICALLY FOR 2022 THE STAFF CONDUCTED OUR 6TH GRADE STEWARDSHIP FIELDTRIPS WITH 9 CLASSES, 210 STUDENTS, FROM SEQUIM MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM LEADS TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF HABITAT AND IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY ON SALMON AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE WATERSHED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES. STAFF CONTINUED TO PROVIDE OUTREACH EFFORTS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FESTIVALS.