By Pepper Fisher and Kevin Murphy
SEQUIM – The Dungeness River Nature Center celebrated it’s grand opening this week with an open house on Wednesday and Thursday. It opens officially on Monday, July 11. Regular hours will be Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00, and Sundays noon-5:00.
This week’s open house was the culmination of an extensive remodel and expansion of the facility formerly known as the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park. Fundraising of over $5 million made the construction of the nearly 6,000 sq. ft. building possible.
The Center features educational opportunities, children’s day camps, rental options in the big new meeting room, and new gift and coffee shops, along with large collection of exhibits.
Board Chair Annette Hanson describes the philosophy behind the Center and its programs.
“Because our mission is to inspire understanding, respect and stewardship, and not only our natural resources, but our cultural resources. And so, because of our partnership with the Center itself, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and with Olympic Peninsula Audubon and National Audubon, it’s a unique blend here. And that’s why a lot of our programs are quite a mix.”
Upcoming events this year include the Summer Nature Mart, River Center Rally, and the Bridge Lights celebration. You can also explore guided nature tours and hikes with the Flowers of the Dungeness Watershed Hike, Girls in the Outdoors, and the Dirty Tires Bike Camp.
Park Director and Manager Powell Jones says it’s all about getting people engaged with nature.
“So, we teach about the Dungeness River, where we try to engage people on the Dungeness. So, first we teach them, and then we try to get people to take ownership of the river and some stewardship opportunities. So, maybe planting some plants, or going out and teaching what they’ve learned to other people. So that’s a big part of it for us.”
It should be noted that while the River Center will be open for the rest of the summer, the 10 acre park is closed during construction. The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, owners of the park land, has started a river and salmon restoration project that includes removing the two original parking lots located in the floodplain, deconstructing a levee, reconstructing a side channel with logjams, building a wishbone bridge extension, and creating a cedar hat inspired outdoor classroom.
Visitors can drive in through the new Railroad Bridge Park entrance road at 1943 West Hendrickson Road, or walk in off the Olympic Discovery Trail, and proceed up to the Center.
Learn more at dungenessrivercenter.org.
(Photo and audio by Kevin Murphy)