The Nisqually River Foundation, the nonprofit that works on behalf of the Nisqually River Council to implement the Nisqually Watershed Stewardship Plan, was founded in 2004. In the 12 years since, we have had great strides towards increasing sustainability in the watershed. In order to make the next decades, and beyond, equally successful, we have recently begun a strategic planning process. During our first meeting with stakeholder representatives, we heard loud and clear that one of the things we need to do better is “Tell Our Story”.
It seems like a simple concept, but the idea of “telling your story” is deeply significant to the Nisqually Watershed. The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was recently renamed the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in honor of the late Nisqually tribal rights leader. The legislation that created the name change was introduced by Congressman Denny Heck and was called the Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act. Billy told his story and the story of his people and the story of all indigenous people of the United States, and beyond. In telling his story he created change for native peoples here and throughout the country and the world.
Billy was also integral to the creation of the Nisqually River Council which has worked now for 29 years to preserve, protect, and promote the Nisqually Watershed that was his home, the home of his people, and the home of so many of the rest of us. By telling our story, we hope to continue Billy’s legacy of honoring and respecting this special place.
The Council works for the Nisqually Watershed through collaboration, education, and advocacy. It is made up of representatives of 26 governments and government agencies, including federal, state, local, and the Nisqually Tribe. It also has a core group of citizen stakeholders from the watershed. These groups collaborate on projects such as the restoration of the estuary and the Ohop valley, and the creation of a river trail on the Nisqually River. Education is provided to the members of the Council at our monthly meetings on a variety of topics related to the Watershed. Education is also provided to the community in the Nisqually through our immensely successful Nisqually River Education Project for students and their parents and through the Nisqually Stream Stewards for adults.
One of the hallmarks of making the Council a successful experiment is that fact that the Council has no legislative authority of it’s own. The Council can’t compel anyone to do anything. What it can do is provide incentives towards actions by individuals and organizations and government that help it to implement the Nisqually Watershed Stewardship Plan. The Council also can and does advocate for actions by agencies and the legislature as it seeks to implement the plan. Lastly, the Council reaches out to the community at large to seek assistance in making our goals for a healthy watershed everyone’s goals.
This blog is a part of telling our story, and in recognition of that, we are changing the name of the blog to “Tell Our Story”. Keep checking here each week to learn more about our story and the story of the Nisqually Watershed.
