Each July, the Nisqually River Council steps back from its normal meeting format to celebrate the people who dedicate their time to the watershed, and the projects that work towards achieving the goals of the Nisqually Watershed Stewardship Plan.
The year, the annual retreat took place on Friday, July 15th from 10 to 2. It included a tour of the Ohop Valley Restoration Project and a visit to the locally operated Starry Hill Observatory.
The Ohop Valley Restoration Project has been on-going for years, has been a partnership of many organizations including the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust, South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and others. Although the restoration primarily took place to benefit salmon populations, the tour highlighted positive impacts to other animals too.
To begin, Lance Wineka (Executive Director, South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group) highlighted the restoration construction process. He noted that although the remeandering of the creek was an engineering feat, most of the design inspiration came from the historical Ohop Creek shape. Lance also highlighted the many Lessons Learned during the project, which contributed to a more streamlined process by the latest phase. Lance finished by noting that the Ohop Creek Restoration Project — while primarily for the benefit of salmon — has countless other benefits on wildlife species in the area.
Cathy Sampselle, Restoration Biologist for the Nisqually Indian Tribe, described the success of multiple tree planting in the valley. Some of the oldest plantings are now more than 5 years old, and are resembling young forests instead of newly planted trees! Cathy was excited to announce that some areas of the restoration plantings feature closed canopies, which helps to keep invasive grasses at bay. These new forests provide habitat and food to birds, elk, deer and other wildlife. Additionally, the tree roots hold dirt in place to reduce erosion.
After Lance and Cathy talked, the group headed to a newly acquired property in the upper Ohop Valley. Joe Kane, Executive Director of the Nisqually Land Trust, explained that the next phases of restoration will protect spawning grounds for salmon and are critically sensitive to development. This property, now owned by the Nisqually Land Trust, will be a part of the next phases of the Ohop Valley Restoration Project. Although these next steps are a ways down the road, acquiring the land is an important step in the process.
Next, NRC members travelled to the privately owned Starry Hill Observatory, where hosts Gracie and Tom Paul graciously provided a tour of their facilities. The tour included an amazing 3D video about our universe.
Although the NRC retreat is a celebration of the work completed by the Council, the day isn’t all fun. NRC members elected a chair and vice-chair for the next year: congratulations to David Troutt for continuing his role as Chair, and to JW Foster for his newly elected role as Vice-Chair! Sadly, the NRC said good-bye to long time member, Chris Schutz. Chris has participated in the NRC for the past 17 or 18 years and has been an invaluable member of the community. Although she is retiring from her career in Pierce County Surface Water Management, she will continue to serve on the board of the Nisqually River Foundation.
Lastly, the NRC approved 2 lists developed by the Nisqually Habitat Work Group for the upcoming Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRF Board) and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration (PSAR) funding cycles. The list features projects sponsored by the Nisqually Land Trust, South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and Pierce Conservation District.
