Sound Stewards

June 2022

go with the flow - free the Deschutes!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 Greetings on this lovely June-uary afternoon (anyone else longing for weather that feels like summer?). I’m going to keep this message short and sweet this month, with a sincere thank you to everyone who has gotten involved in our Estuary Creature monthly donation program, has lent volunteer hours to the cause, or has taken the time to educate themselves and others about the Deschutes Watershed. A special thank you to the Community Sustaining Fund of Thurston County, who has generously awarded DERT with an operational and staff capacity grant for outreach.  DERT is more than our Staff and Board– community matters, you matter, and we cannot restore the estuary without you. 

As an organization and as individuals, we prioritize intersectional environmentalism. Environmentalism and social justice issues are inherently linked. Ecology, and estuary restoration, does not exist in a vacuum free of influence from society. Further, estuary restoration is a community based endeavor. All people (and our flora and fauna friends) have the right to enjoy healthy watersheds and benefit from the ecosystem services that they provide. We stand by this, and acknowledge that communities that bear the brunt of environmental degradation have historically been marginalized and excluded from the environmental movement. One of the ways that we prioritize this is looking to the Squaxin Island Tribe for environmental leadership and guidance on our strategic plan. 

Keep reading for resources on intersectional environmentalism, and stay tuned as we continue to learn and integrate environmental equity, the core of our values here at DERT, into our strategic plan and outreach efforts. Achieving equity is a process, and we are here on the path alongside you and welcome feedback. 

Thank you for being a part of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team community. 

Paige Anderson

Please consider donating to DERT today at deschutesestuary.org/donate. You are part of the vision and hard work that guarantees the Deschutes River WILL meet Puget Sound without a barrier. Together, we will continue to advocate for the removal of the 5th Avenue Dam to restore our urban estuary.

Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer* or simply chat with us to learn more about the estuary restoration project? Catch us at these upcoming events:

*Volunteers will need to sign up for events through Volgistics. 

June 18, 2022

The Strawberry Festival 

10 am - 3 pm 

South Bay Grange (3918 Sleater Kinney Rd NE 98506)

June 26, 2022

Tumwater Farmers' Market 

11 am - 3 pm 

Peter G Schmidt Elementary (237 Dennis St SE 98501)

July 17, 2022

Tumwater Farmers Market

11 am - 3 pm 

Peter G Schmidt Elementary (237 Dennis St SE 98501)

Water Quality Monitoring

DERT continues to monitor water quality in Budd inlet every other week on Fridays. If you are interested in learning more about water quality or how to operate a YSI, consider signing up to volunteer through our calendar in Volgistics. 

Kayak patrols 

Kayak Patrols are back...but with a twist!

Grab a couple of your closest, water-loving friends and schedule your own private kayak patrol. Chat with us about water quality and estuary restoration while relaxing and paddling on the water. Patrols are generally free, but we do encourage a donation to help offset the cost of operations. Reach out to Jae Harris-Townsend to schedule your own kayak patrol! 

Budd Inlet Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Public Comment Announcement

Per the Department of Ecology, "The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has drafted the Budd Inlet Dissolved Oxygen Total Maximum Daily Load water quality improvement plan. This draft plan aims to address low dissolved oxygen levels in Budd Inlet, which is critical for supporting local ecosystems, fishing, shellfishing, and other aquatic life uses. The draft report is available for review and comment from June 8, 2022 until July 8, 2022. Ecology will host two online public workshops about the draft TMDL, on June 21 and 22. 

The goal of this water quality improvement plan, formally known as a Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL, is to identify water quality improvements needed to protect salmon and other aquatic life from low dissolved oxygen in Budd Inlet. Once finalized and implemented, this plan should lead to an increase in dissolved oxygen levels within Budd Inlet."

1. Read the TMDL report here 
2. Comment on the report (by July 8, 2022) here 
3. Register for informational workshops

• June 21, 2022 at 6 pm 
• June 22, 2022 at 6 pm 

Let your voice be heard-- act now!

RESOURCES FOR INTERSECTIONAL ENVIRONMENTALISM

What is intersectional environmentalism?

Intersectional environmentalism is a term coined by Leah Thomas in 2020. In Thomas' words, intersectional environmentalism is “an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet.” 

The movement recognizes the disproportionate effects of climate change on marginalized groups, especially within BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) and LGBTQ+ communities. It examines the link between environmentalism, racism, and privilege while uplifting and amplifying previously excluded voices.

Here you'll find a short introductory list of resources for you regarding intersectional environmentalism:

1. BOOK: Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas
2. TED TALK: Youth Perspective on Environmental Justice and Racism
3. VIDEO: Book Talk with Leah Thomas
4. REPORT: EPA Report on Social Vulnerability
5. UAB ARTICLE: People of Color Live Disproportionately Close to Superfund Sites
6. ARTICLE: Pride Month, LGBTQ+, and the Environmental Movement
7. Intersectional Environmentalist Toolkits
8. FORBES ARTICLE: How Communities of Color are Hurt Most by Climate Change
9. YALE ARTICLE: Queering Environmentalism
10. Intersectional Environmentalist Instagram
11. Leah Thomas' Instagram
12. CURIOUS EARTH BLOG: What is Intersectional Environmentalism?
13. Read and Take the IE pledge

Our Executive Director, Paige, made a guest appearance on the podcast, Exploring Washington State! Tune in as she discusses the importance of estuaries and the actions we're taking to ensure the restoration of our local urban estuary. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. 

Washington State public employees and retirees-- did you know you can include DERT in your charitable contributions through the Combined Fund Drive? CFD offers multiple ways to give. Choose between a one-time, monthly, or limited time contribution. 

Learn more about the Combined Fund Drive

When we say YESTUARY, we say YES to protecting the water, plants, and critters that rely on the unique estuarine habitat. 

Sign up to become a monthly sponsor of DERT in honor of your favorite estuary creature! 

Butter Clam: $25/month

Receive a free DERT sticker every quarter and a shoutout in our newsletter

Western Sandpiper: $50/month

Receive a free DERT sticker every quarter, one hat or T-shirt, and a shoutout in our newsletter 

Great Blue Heron: $50/month

Receive a free DERT sticker every quarter, one hat or T-shirt, and a shoutout in our newsletter and website

Chinook Salmon: $150/month

Receive all the aforementioned perks PLUS an invitation to an annual exclusive event

For more information CLICK HERE

*This tip is for those who use Gmail, but it may be applicable to other platforms.

As a community dedicated to protecting the Deschutes watershed and South Puget Sound, we must all keep an eye out for potential pollution incidents when we are out and about. This page contains a list of who to call to report a pollution source - click the organization name to be directed to their site.