News and Events

June 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

Barn Swallows by Mick Thompson

OPAS Backyard Birding:

Out of the Nest – the Vulnerability

of New Birds

Saturday, June 1

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Rainshadow Hall

FREE (Suggested Donation: $5)

Discover the captivating world of backyard birding during our upcoming event, featuring Ken Wiersema. Join us as we explore the fascinating roles that parent birds play in safeguarding, nourishing, and guiding their offspring as they mature and venture out of their nests. As late spring transitions into early summer, fledglings face vulnerable moments in their lives.

Ken will delve into the diverse strategies employed by different bird species in raising their young. Attendees will also gain insights into the evolving food requirements during early bird development and learn practical ways to create bird-friendly and safe environments in their own yards.

School Is Out For Summer Soon!

Sign up Now 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.

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., June 18, 19, 20

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.

To learn more and register:

Long-tailed Ducks by Bob Boekelheide

Bottoms Up!

How Diving Birds Survive and Thrive

in the Salish Sea

Wednesday, June 19

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Rainshadow Hall

FREE

Many water birds in the Salish Sea are “divers,” meaning that they submerge themselves underwater, using their wings and/or feet for propulsion to pursue prey below the surface. Local diving birds include loons, grebes, murres, guillemots, auklets, cormorants, and diving ducks. Some go all the way to the bottom to capture prey like mollusks and crustaceans, whereas others capture fish and other organisms in the middle of the water column.

How do they do it? How deep can they go? How do their bodies cope with the physiological changes as they head into the abyss and then return to the surface?

Join us for this OPAS program to discover the answers with local expert Bob Boekelheide as he describes how these birds adapt to life underwater, opening up a whole new world of prey possibilities.

Forest Immersion: A Guided Walk



Friday, June 14

10 – 11:30 a.m.

$10 DRNC Members

$15 Non-members

Join experienced instructor, Connie, for a calming walk through the forest and an outdoor tea service. She will teach the principals of Forest Bathing and guide attendees through experiencing the natural world in new health-enhancing ways. 

Studies show that Forest Bathing can produce amazing health benefits like boosting your immune system, lowering blood pressure, and improving your mental health!

More Tai Chi!

Mondays,

Starting June 3

10 – 11:00 a.m.

$35 Members

$45 Non-members

After high demand, instructor Connie is offering an additional time slot for the 4-week Beginner Tai Chi series in nature! Sign-up for all four classes at once.

Tai chi reduces stress, anxiety and depression, lowers blood pressure, lessens joint pain and much more.

All mobility levels welcome!

Poetry of Nature

Friday, June 21

10 – 11:00 a.m.

$5 DRNC Members

$10 Non-members

Let nature help you bring out your inner poet! Join instructor Connie to learn about the Haiku and Cinquain styles of poetry, and then go outside to get inspired. You will be encouraged to create simple, yet meaningful verses. All writing levels are welcome! Come connect with nature and be inspired to share your experience in verse.

Please bring your own writing supplies.

Save the Date!

Annual Meeting And Potluck

Monday, June 10

6 – 8 p.m.

Rainshadow Hall

Are you a current member? If so, you have voting rights! We will vote on amendments to the by-laws and new board members

Check your membership expiration date. Renew your membership online or mail your $35 check to PO Box 2450, Sequim WA 98382

Register to attend by June 7

Bee Talk and Walk

With bee experts Alex Wilson and Ingrid Carmean 

🐝Come to one or both events 🐝

Friday, June 28 (Talk)

Cedar Hat Classroom at the River Center

7– 8 p.m.

FREE 

Bee expert Alex Wilson will share little known facts about bees, dispel bee myths, and discuss ways the public can better support the local population. Everyone is welcome!

🐝 Saturday, June 29 (Walk) 🐝

River Center & Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

$15 DRNC Members 

 $25 Non-Members

Bee expert, Ingrid Carmean, will lead an educational excursion from the River Center to the National Wildlife Refuge to search for common and uncommon bees. What makes a good bee habitat? Come join to find out!

Please register to attend the walk.

Semipalmated Sandpiper by Bob Boekelheide

Field Trip:

Dungeness Bay - Returning Shorebirds

Sunday, June 30

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meet at Three Crabs WDFW parking lot

FREE (Registration required)

Join Bob Boekelheide and Gary Bullock at Three Crabs and Dungeness Landing County Park to look for birds!

The calendar might say early summer, but post-breeding migration is already here. Late June and early July bring adult shorebirds, already finished with nesting in the Arctic, taiga, and prairies. Many are still in flashy breeding plumages. We will also scan the bay and mudflats for water birds and lovely gulls.

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.

Youth Summer Book Club:

Braiding Sweetgrass

5 Saturday Sessions:

June 22

July 6, 20

August 3, 10

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Dungeness River Nature Center

FREE

Do you know a young adult (11-15 years old) who loves reading? Invite them to our summer book club!

Participation is free, books are provided and crafty activities are included!

This year, we will read "Braiding Sweetgrass: For Young Adults," written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and adapted by Monique Gray Smith. Throughout the book club, they will learn how plants, indigenous culture, and science all play a roll in the mutual care of our environment and planet.

If you know someone interested in joining the book club, please contact AmeriCorps Educator Eden Voebel: eden@dungenessrivercenter.org.

Nature Art for Kids!

Saturday, June 1

1 – 2:30 p.m.

Cedar Hat Classroom

FREE

Looking for a fun, kid-friendly activity to do on a Saturday afternoon? Come join us for fun nature themed crafting for kids ages 4-11!

Supplies are provided. Enthusiasm for nature and art are encouraged.

Volunteer Training Days!

If you love talking about nature and enjoy supporting your community, join our team and become a River Center volunteer!

Volunteer 101 Workshop

Monday, June 24

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Volunteer 102/103 Workshop

Tuesday, June 25

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

FREE 

Hurricane Coffee at the River

June 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