Behind-the-Scenes Hydroelectric Dam Facilities Tour: Registration Link
Join us as we meet with Tacoma Public Utilities staff to embark on a behind-the-scenes tour of Alder Lake Dam. We’ll take a look at how this structure uses the Nisqually River to generate power while also gaining a larger understanding of how TPU works with the Nisqually Indian Tribe to manage streamflow for Salmon.
Bird Identification Nature Walk at the Refuge: Registration Link
Learn the bills, feathers, and flight paths of migratory waterfowl as NRC Outreach Director Tristan Olson leads a walk through Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge identifying a variety of birds just as Chum salmon begin to make their way through the waters of the Nisqually Watershed – binoculars provided!
Tree Planting Volunteer Opportunity with Nisqually Land Trust: Registration Link
Spend the day getting dirty and giving back as we kick off tree planting season with Nisqually Land Trust staff and volunteers! Tools, refreshments, and trees will be provided all you need to do is dress for the weather and come ready to help us restore the watershed as we continue to plant along the river near Powell Creek.
Hands-On Salmon Dissection Workshop: Registration Link
Explore the anatomy and biology of Nisqually salmon as you perform a salmon dissection led by NREP Assistant Director Julia Fregonara! We’ll meet at the beautiful Nisqually Reach Nature Center to bird watch before breaking into small groups for an up-close look at this incredible keystone species.
2026 Course Schedule – New Events Added Monthly
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 10th (1/10/26) | 10AM – NOON | Box Car Canyon, Eatonville WA | Salmon Carcass Tossing |
| Monday, January 19th (1/19/26) | 9AM – NOON | Powell Creek, WA | Volunteer Tree Planting |
| Friday, February 27th (2/27/26) | 9AM – 3PM | Nisqually Community Forest | Snowshoe Hiking Tour |
| Wednesday, April 1st (4/1/26) & Tuesday, April 7th (4/7/26) | 10AM – 2PM | Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge | Eye on Nature Volunteer Training Opportunity |
| Saturday, April 4th (4/4/26) | 10AM – NOON | Nisqually Reach Nature Center | NSS Book Club Meeting |
| Saturday, April 11th (4/11/26) | 8:30AM – 10:30AM & 1PM – 3:30PM | McKenna Park & Nisqually River Powerhouse Park | Annual Nisqually River Clean-Up |
| Friday, May 1st (5/1/26) | 9AM – 11AM | Eatonville, WA | TPU Dam Facilities Tour |
| Sunday, May 3rd (5/3/26) | 8AM – 3PM | Joint Base Lewis McChord | Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Leschi-Quiemuth Honor Walk/Run |
| Saturday, June 13th (6/13/26) | 9AM – NOON | Nisqually Reach Nature Center | Nearshore & Marine Ecology Workshop |
| Saturday, July 18th (7/18/26) | 9AM – NOON | Peterson Family Farm – Yelm (NLT Conservation Easement) | Invasive Species Removal Volunteer Opportunity |
| Wednesday, September 2nd (9/2/26) | 10AM – 1PM | Nisqually Community Forest | Ecological Forestry Tour |
| Saturday, September 26th (9/26/26) | 10AM – 4PM | Nisqually Watershed Festival | Volunteer Opportunity |
| Friday, November 6th (11/6/26) | 9AM – 11AM | Nisqually River Project Alder Lake Dam | Behind-the-Scenes Hydroelectric Facilities Tour |
| Saturday, November 7th (11/7/26) | 9AM – 11AM | Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge | Bird ID Nature Walk |
| Saturday, November 14th (11/14/26) | 9AM – NOON | Powell Creek, WA | Volunteer Tree Planting |
| Saturday, December 5th (12/5/26) | 9AM – 11AM | Nisqually Reach Nature Center | Salmon Dissection Workshop |
Nisqually Stream Stewards Recommended Reading
- The People of Cascadia: Pacific Northwest Native American History
- They Walked Before
- The Nisqually My People
- Fort Nisqually
- Tears of Internment
- Where the Waters Begin
- Leschi, Last Chief of the Nisquallies
- Stolen Lands
- Image of America: Nisqually Indian Tribe
- Salmon Without Rivers: A History of the Pacific Salmon Crisis
- Messages from Frank’s Landing
- Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nation
- The Mashel Massacre of 1856
- Uncommon Controversy: Fishing Rights of the Muckelshoot, Puyallup, and Nisqually Indians
- Where the Salmon Run: The Life and Legacy of Billy Frank, Jr.
- Montgomery, David. King of Fish
- Lichatowich, James A. Salmon Without Rivers: A History of the Pacific Salmon Crisis
- Steelquist, Robert. Adopt-A-Stream Foundation’s Field Guide to the Pacific Salmon
- Wydoski and Whitney. Inland Fishes of Washington
- Groot and Margolis. Pacific Salmon Life Histories
- Stouder, Bisson, and Naiman. Pacific Salmon and Their Ecosystems: Status and Future Options
- National Research Council. Upstream: Salmon and Society in the Pacific Northwest
- Pojar and McKinnon. Plants of the Pacific Northwest
- The Adopt-A-Stream Foundation
- Streamkeeper’s Field Guide
- Field Guide to the Pacific Salmon
- Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring
These resources can provide more information about the people, plants, and animals of the Nisqually Watershed. Although it’s not an exhaustive list, we hope that it answers your questions and inspires you to become involved.
Do you have a resource that we’ve missed? Let us know! Contact streamstewards@nisquallyriver.org or 360.438.8715
Videos
As Long As the River Runs documents the struggles faced by tribal members, including the Nisqually, as they fought to secure their treaty rights. Although it was produced prior to the Boldt Decision in 1974, the video still provides relevant insight into the lives and traditions of Tribes today.
Joe Kane, Former Executive Director of the Nisqually Land Trust, gave a Ted Talk on the importance of returning forestlands within the Nisqually to local ownership. Joe is currently helping spearhead the development of the Nisqually Community Forest.
From the Mountain to the Sea was produced by the Nisqually River Interpretive Center and highlights the enormous conservation efforts that have been completed in the Nisqually Watershed, thanks to the dedication and trust of numerous partners.