We have the proud honor of hosting the first-ever Nisqually Wild and Scenic Film Festival!  We intend to combine nationally recognized Wild and Scenic films with those that have been produced locally or possess a cultural and/or physical connection to the Nisqually watershed and its inhabitants.   The film festival will be held in conjunction with this year’s Nisqually Valley’s Home, Garden, and Trade Show.  There will also be a number of hands on activities for kids of all ages, along with door prizes and much, much more!  This event, taking place April 28^th and 29^th at Yelm High School’s Performing Arts Center, truly holds something for everyone!

So what’s Wild and Scenic all about?     

“The mission of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is to inspire people and unite communities to heal the earth.  We show environmental and adventure films that illustrate the Earth’s beauty, the challenges facing our planet, and the work communities are doing to protect the environment.  Through these films, Wild & Scenic both informs people about the state of the world and inspires them to take action.

Considered the largest film festival of its kind, this year’s films combine stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future for the next generation.  Festival-goers can expect to see award winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, Native American and indigenous cultures.

This year’s selections will not only take audiences to some of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet, but introduce them to the magnificent animals that inhabit these places and the courageous individuals who are working to protect and preserve both for future generations.  The films instill a deep appreciation and a sense of wonder for the natural world that surrounds and supports us.”

Hope to see you there!

Visit our website at: www.nisquallyriver.org/filmfestival  for more details!

Click here to see the film schedule for the weekend!

It’s that time of year again and the 20th Annual Student GREEN Congress is right around the corner!  This event is held each in every year to allow over 400 students from the South Sound and the Nisqually watershed. Students are asked take a deeper look at the state of our rivers by analyzing water quality data that has been collected throughout the school year.  Also, kids have the opportunity to take part in a number of workshops put on by local professionals and project partners!

In order to raise some extra money for the event, South Sound Green and the Nisqually River Education Project have put together a fundraiser!  It will be held at the McMenamins Spar Cafe in downtown Olympia on Tuesday, March 20th from 4:00 to 11:30pm.  Grab the family and come on down to The Spar and enjoy some delicous food and beverages!  Half of the night’s proceeds will go towards benefitting Student GREEN Congress!!

Click here to view the flyer for this event!

Click here to check out the event on Facebook!

Join the Nisqually River Education Project and the Nisqually Reach Nature Center in an attempt to fund field trips for K-12 students to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge!  These field trips work to introduce and familiarize students with the flora and fauna at our local refuge.  The event takes place March 6th from 6:00 to 9:30pm at the Fish Tale Brew Pub in downtown Olympia.  There will be a silent auction with a number of amazing items provided by the Fishanthropists and 25 cents of each beer purchased throughout the evening will be donated to the cause.  Music and entertainment provided by the Oly Mountain Boys!  There’s a 5$ suggested donation at the door.  Hope to see you there!

Click here to see the event flyer!

Click here to check out the event on Facebook!

After many years of planning, the rest stop in Elbe has been completed and the doors are now opened to the public.  The building, which has been around since the 1930′s, was once a bunkhouse used by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  This addition not only spells relief for travelers passing through, but for the local businesses who have been lending out their toilets and resources for years.  For now, the rest stop is only opened on the weekends and holidays, but will have daily hours when traffic flows to Mount Rainier National Park increase for the spring season.

Click here to read the full article at The News Tribune.

Join the Nisqually Tribe for their 2nd Annual Nisqually Chinook Project Review!  The meeting will cover the status of the Nisqually Chinook, actions taken towards recovery in 2011, and plans for moving forwards in 2012.  It will be held on February 7th from 10am to 12:40pm at the Nisqually Natural Resources office.  Everyone is welcomed to attend!!

2nd Annual Nisqually Chinook Project Review Flyer

Directions to the Nisqually Natural Resources office

Saturday, January 14^th marked the day we welcome the chum salmon back to Muck Creek in the city of Roy, WA.  Though the morning turned out to be a chilly one, and there weren’t any salmon for us to greet, the event provided an opportunity for members of the community throughout the watershed to come together.  Delicious food and beverages were provided by Nisqually tribal member Ramona Wells, with a variety of informational displays featuring our special guests, the salmon, and salmon restoration.  Other guests of the event were Colonel Tommy Brittain and Joing Base Garrison Commander, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA State Representative JT Wilcox, Georgiana Kautz, Natural Resources Manager for the tribe, and David Troutt, the tribe’s Natural Resources Director.   Thanks to everyone who came out and withstood the cold weather to lend a helping hand and show their support for the amazing work our project partners are doing throughout the watershed!

Click here to read the full article at Nisqually Valley News.

Saturday, December 10^th was a day to remember in the Nisqually watershed.  On that day, 17 projects partners spanning across 5 watersheds in the south Puget Sound were honored for the amazing work done to restore the Nisqually Estuary.  For over 15 years, the Nisqually Estuary Restoration Team has worked to plan, fund, and implement the restoration over 1000 acres of tidal habitat.  Not only was this project the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, but it also marked the first time multiple watersheds have joined together on a single project in a single watershed in the Puget Sound.  The Obama Administration recognized such organizations as the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, the Nisqually Tribe, and Ducks Unlimited, as well as many others for their incredible accomplishments.  The efforts of this partnership have been described as a vital step in the recovery of the Puget Sound.

Click here to read the full article at the EPA’s website.

Couldn’t be there?  No worries!  David Hymel of Rain Dog Designs caught some of the day’s amazing moments on film!  Click here to view those photos.