News and Events

July 2024



The Dungeness River Nature Center's mission is to inspire understanding, respect,

and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources.

1943 West Hendrickson Road, Sequim, WA

Evening Talk: The Coming

Cascadia Megathrust Earthquake

Friday, July 12

7 – 8:15 p.m.

Outside Cedar Hat Classroom

FREE

$5 donations appreciated to support education programs

Join us for a special guest speaker presentation about the coming Cascadia Megathrust Earthquake!

Did you know there is a 33% chance of a 8.0+ magnitude earthquake occurring in the next 50 years? This prediction, combined with the recent discovery of the Sadie Creek Fault west of Lake Crescent, raises Clallam County's risk of a devastating earthquake to higher than 50% in the next 50 years!

Come learn more with Geology Professor Dann May as he gives a presentation about the situation and how the Pacific Northwest is not adequately prepared for such a colossal quake.

In the event of inclement weather, the program will be moved into the Rainshadow Hall rather than canceled.

Purple Martins at 3 Crabs by Dow Lambert

OPAS Backyard Birding:

Purple Martins (2-part program)

Monday, July 8

Part 1

10 –11:00 a.m.

Rainshadow Hall

Part 2

11:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.

Tide Flats Adjacent to 3 Crabs Road

FREE

Suggested donation is $5.00

To support our education and bird conservation programs.

Join us for our last Backyard Birding of the season! This extra 2-part program will focus on North America’s largest swallow, the Purple Martin. Participants may choose to attend either the indoor or outdoor segment, but we encourage both!

Part 1 of the program will be at the Dungeness River Nature Center with speakers Ken Wiersema and Dow Lambert. They will discuss background information on migration, nesting requirements, diet and local data on the Purple Martin’s progress in adapting to our human-made nesting cavities.



Part 2 of the program will be a field trip beginning at 11:30 a.m. after the talk. Attendees will head to the tide flats adjacent to 3 Crabs Road for a quarter mile walk. Here, you will see the nesting colony of the birds, look inside their nest boxes, count eggs or young birds, and observe the behavior of the adult birds feeding and defending their nests.

You must register for the field trip portion of the program and participants are limited to 12. A signed liability form for field trips is necessary. Click here to fill out the online liability form. To learn more, and register for the field trip, click the link below:

Say Hello to Our

Newest Team Member:

Tracy Sheldon!

Meet Tracy Sheldon, the River Center’s new Communications Coordinator. Tracy will be managing communication efforts including the monthly newsletter, website, social media, creating promotional materials and

providing administrative support for staff.

Tracy was born and raised in California and lived in South Lake Tahoe for 17 years. As a public relations specialist, she has worked primarily in local government and school districts. Tracy relocated to Sequim in the summer of 2023 and enjoys hiking, biking and photography.

We are very excited to welcome Tracy to our River Center team! If you see her around the Center, say hi!

Say Hello to Our

Newest Education Intern:

Ruby Coulson!

Meet Ruby, the new Summer Intern coming from Stanford University through Community Service Work Study. She is a born and raised Sequimite and has attended Nature Center programming since she was a kid.

Ruby is super excited to be able to work with this amazing staff and work in youth education and outreach. She can't wait to get more people through our doors and learning about our watershed and nature stewardship!

Short and Long-billed Dowitchers by Bob Boekelheide

Dungeness Bay:

Shorebirds, Gulls, and Water Birds Field Trip

Sunday, July 28

7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Meet at Three Crabs WDFW Parking Lot

FREE (Registration Required)

Join OPAS field trip leaders, Bob Boekelheide and Gary Bullock at 3 Crabs and Dungeness Landing Park to look for shorebirds, water birds, and gulls. Shorebird migration is in full swing in late July, so you don't want to miss it!

We ask field trip participants to sign a liability release form on or before the day of the trip. This signed form will be good for future field trips. You can review, download, and print the form in advance by visiting the Field Trips page on the OPAS website or clicking here. You can also eSign the liability release form by clicking here. Click below to register.

Last Chance to Sign up for

STEM Summer Camps!

Do you have a future scientist in your household? If your child loves nature, or enjoys dabbling in science, be sure to check out the River Center’s summer camps for 2024! There are several exciting opportunities for them to engage in fun, hands-on learning experiences. Limited spots left!

Coding Robots 101 Camp: 7/29 - 8/1

Robot Parade Camp: 7/29 - 8/1

Design Challenge: Restoring the Environment: 8/5 - 8/8

Robotic Animal Adaptations Camp: 8/5 - 8/8

Scholarships available on our website

Wildflower Walks in the

Upper Dungeness: Deer Park

With John Bridge and Montana Napier

Choose one of these days:

Tues., Wed. or Thurs., July 23, 24, 25

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.



$30 DRNC Members

$40 per non-member 

 Each month, wildflower experts John Bridge and Montana Napier will offer three hikes where you’ll learn to identify different species, look closely into nature, and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of our incredible backyard.

Exploring Deer Park in the Olympic National Park, participants will witness how plant communities transform throughout the season.

You must pre-register to attend.

Story Time in the Park

Thursday, July 18

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Dungeness River Nature Center

For ages 4 – 10

FREE

Join storyteller, puppeteer and author Cathy Kelsay for an interactive story time! Cathy will read from her children's book about a little skunk trying to make friends, which isn't easy when you're a stinky skunk!

It will be fun!

Ecobrick Building Party!



Friday, July 19

1 – 2:00 p.m.

FREE

Dungeness River Nature Center will be hosting an Ecobrick Building Party! Led by AmeriCorps Educator Eden Voebel, attendees will learn how to build ecobricks while connecting with others in the community.

What are ecobricks? Why are they important? What materials can be used? How can we create them at home?

Come join the Building Party for all answers!

This revolutionary campaign will help us reduce the plastic waste ending up in landfills. It's easy to do and the whole family can participate! The Center will collect completed bricks throughout the summer and in August we will donate the bricks to Bainbridge Island to be used in building projects.

To learn more and start your ecobrick journey now, click the button below.

Nature Art for Kids!

Thursday, July 11, 18 & 25

Saturday, July 13

1 – 2:30 p.m.

Cedar Hat Classroom

FREE

Thank you everyone who has attended our Nature Art for Kids programs this season! It's been a great success with lots of smiles, messy fingers and crafts to take home.

This July, we continue with even more programs! We invite kiddos ages 4 -11 to join us for our Nature Art for Kids programs! With each session we teach a nature themed lesson followed by a related craft activity. Supplies are provided and kids get to take home their beautiful creations. See you there!

Tai Chi! 4-Week Series

Mondays,

Starting July 1

Beginner

10 – 11:00 a.m.

Intermediate

2 – 3:00 p.m.*

$35 Members

.......$45 Non-members

After high demand, instructor Connie is offering MORE TAI CHI! This might be the last beginner session offered this year. Sign up for either the Intermediate or Beginner 4-week Tai Chi series in nature! Register for all four-classes at once.

Did you know that tai chi reduces stress, anxiety and depression, lowers blood pressure, lessens joint pain and much more? Join Connie to find out for yourself! All mobility levels are welcome.

*Please note: the first afternoon session on July 1st will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Forest Immersion



Friday, July 12

10 – 11:30 a.m.

$10 DRNC Members

$15 Non-members

Join Instructor Connie for a guided forest bathing session to experience the natural world in new health-enhancing ways!

Studies have shown that slow, calming walks in the forest can produce amazing health benefits. Using all of your senses to experience a walk in the woods can result in a boost for the immune system, lower blood pressure and improvements in mood for those with depression.

Kids in Science Program:

Binoculars and Birds



Wednesday, July 24

1 – 2:30 p.m.

Ages 7-12

$5

Do we have any future birders or wildlife enthusiasts out there? Join the River Center for a fun Binos and Birds lesson!

For this special program, kids will learn fun facts about birds, how to use binoculars (loaners provided!), and how to identify different types of birds through an I Spy game with wooden models. They will go for a walk with an educator and put their new skills to the test.

Be prepared to go outside, learn lots, and have fun!

Hurricane Coffee at the River

July Hours

Open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tuesday – Saturday

Cookies, pastries, coffee cake

Check out our latest additions:

Vanilla Brown Sugar Macha, Sparkling Lavender Lemonade and Blackberry Arnold Palmer

Espresso drinks with or without flavors, Macha and Chai tea lattes,

London Fogs, hot tea, cold drinks

The River Center is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays noon - 5 p.m.

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Questions? Call the River Center at 360-681-4076

https://dungenessrivercenter.org