Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team

Just Say Yes to Restoring the Deschutes Estuary. Just Say Yestuary!

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Become a Sound Steward!

Budd Inlet and South Sound

DERT is seeking volunteers to participate in our new program activities! If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Volunteer Center page on our website.

DERT’s first kayak patrol

KAYAK PATROLS
We plan to host between 2-4 kayak patrols per month, depending upon weather and staff availability. Kayak patrols will take place on Thursdays and Saturdays within a few hours of high tide. The theme of our patrols will change periodically. The dates for upcoming patrols are:

  • Thursday, July 1st, 10 AM @ Tugboat Annie’s
  • Saturday, July 17th, 10 AM @ Tugboat Annie’s

The theme for July is: water quality issues in South Sound, history of development in downtown Olympia, the impacts of the 5th Ave dam on water quality and habitat, and the upcoming DEIS.

We seek experts from different disciplines to serve as field guides on future patrols! If you have knowledge/experience in any field related to water quality, habitat restoration, the impacts of human development, marine biology, or other related fields, please contact: Matthew Karas, SSHW Program Coordinator – mkaras@deschutesestuary.org.

Water Quality Monitoring

Matthew deploys a YSI ProDSS

We are working with students at Saint Martin’s University to analyze water and sediment samples for microplastic contamination. For the time being, only students will have access to the lab. However, we plan to develop a “desktop model” for microplastic analysis that will allow us to involve more volunteers.

We purchased a YSI ProDSS water meter to collect data in the field. We need help developing a work plan and using the meter to collect data. If you have experience with water quality monitoring and are interested in informing the development of this activity, and/or using the sonde to collect data, please contact Matthew (mkaras@deschutesestuary.org).

Mud Gallery and DERT
Outreach Event between DERT and Students from UW Lanscape Architecture Program

Public Outreach

We are planning several public outreach events throughout the summer to get the word out about the upcoming DEIS. Events will include a Community Forum, tabling at the Pavilion along the boardwalk in downtown Olympia, and walking tours around the lower Deschutes River/Capitol Mistake. We need help getting the word out! If you are interested, please contact Matthew or register to volunteer using the link at the beginning of this email. MORE INFO ON THE DEIS