The Nisqually Stream Stewards (NSS) is a free monthly program offered by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Nisqually River Council, who recognize that long-lasting restoration and stewardship will only come about through community-based efforts. NSS is open to anyone interested in learning about the Nisqually Watershed. We offer conservation stewardship training, hands-on experiences, and behind-the-scenes field trips around the watershed with the aim of creating a community of passionate and engaged volunteers.
Nisqually Stream Steward classes typically take place on Saturday mornings and cover a variety of topics throughout the year such as forestry, riparian restoration, nearshore monitoring, community science data collection, and much more! Here are some of our current offerings:
Volunteer Opportunities
Help serve your community and restore the Nisqually Watershed
Tree Plantings (Fall / Winter)
Salmon Carcass Tossings (Winter)
Nisqually River Clean Ups (Spring)
Lead Student Field Trips (Year Round)
Nisqually Watershed Festival Volunteer (Fall)
Field Experiences
Explore the unique biomes of the Nisqually Watershed while learning from natural resource professionals
Nisqually Watershed Tours (Summer)
Native Plant Identification Walks (Spring)
Nisqually Community Forest Tours (Summer)
Bird Identification Walks (Fall / Spring)
Marine & Nearshore Explorations (Spring)
Salmon Hatchery Tours (Winter)
Leschi Honor Walk (Spring)
Community Science Workshops
Gain the skills and knowledge used by actual field scientists in a hands-on outdoor settings
Join Nisqually Stream Stewards and help take care of your local streams!
Sign-up HERE or contact streamstewards@nisquallyriver.org (360.438.8715) to learn more & get involved! Nisqually Stream Stewards is free with in-person event capacity limited on a first come, first served basis. The program is open to people of all ages, however, participants under 16 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult. Come when you can and gain the skills needed to become an environmental steward in Nisqually!
Yes. Stream Stewards coursework is geared towards adults but people of all ages are welcome. Youth under 16 need an adult chaperone to attend all classes with them. Kids as young as 8 have participated in Stream Stewards and children with supervision are welcome at most events.
Yes. Stream Stewards welcomes people of all abilities. The coursework portion of the program is a mix of classroom lectures, activities, and outdoor field experiences. Some field experiences involve a moderate amount of hiking over terrain that may be steep, uneven, or slippery, and is not wheelchair-accessible. People with limited mobility may not be able to participate in every part of a field experience. There are numerous volunteer opportunities that don’t require strenuous physical activity, including computer work, supporting education programs, and citizen science data collection. If you have questions about how the program might work for you, please contact us!
Stream Stewards classes are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through Northwest Indian College. CEUs are for professional development and community education purposes and do not count for college credit. We are happy to discuss independent learning contracts or other opportunities to incorporate Stream Stewards into for-credit college coursework.
Stream Steward Classes are built around a come-as-you-can structure with attendance at 9 events required for graduation. Because we organize carpools and other resources based on the number of participants, we ask that you let us know in advance if you need to miss a class. If you can’t complete the course in one year, you are welcome to continue coming to events until you graduate and beyond!
Nisqually Stream Stewards hosts several public volunteer events each year, including tree plantings, salmon tosses, and river or park clean-ups. These events are not required, but it is a great way to stay connected to NSS classmates and we encourage Stream Stewards to attend and to bring friends and family along! You’ll also find Stream Stewards volunteering at other events in the watershed year round, with the Nisqually Land Trust, Nisqually Reach Nature Center, Citizens Advisory Committee, Salmon Watchers program, and more.
No! Anyone is welcome to volunteer at Stream Stewards events or with our many Nisqually partners. If you want to get involved but can’t make the full commitment to Stream Stewards classes and volunteering, check out our list of volunteer opportunities and feel free to contact the hosts directly for more information and to receive news about upcoming events. We also frequently share volunteer opportunities on our Nisqually Stream Stewards Facebook page.
Nisqually Stream Stewards primarily supports activities and organizations within the Nisqually Watershed (WRIA 11). Many Stream Stewards-sponsored events take place in the upper watershed on the Mashel and Ohop tributaries, supporting the restoration of vital salmon habitat. There are many ways to get involved with partners from Mount Rainier down to the Nisqually Delta and Reach near Olympia. For a list of our major volunteer partners, their activities, and how to contact them, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page. Most of your Stream Stewards commitment should be met working within the watershed. If you have questions about whether an activity qualifies for Stream Stewards Attendance, contact us any time.
