Dungeness River Audubon Center Classes, Presentations, and Events

Summer 2009

Contact the River Center at 360-681-4076 or email rivercenter@olympus.net for more information, or to register for sessions. Pre-registration is encouraged, especially for classes.

The Dungeness River Audubon Center is located at RR Bridge Park, 2151 Hendrickson Road, PO Box 2450, Sequim, WA. Hours are Tue. to Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun., 12 to 4 p.m. The River Center partners with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and Audubon WA.

Bird Walks. Every Wed. morning; Time: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Meet at the River Center for a weekly walk to see and hear the birds of the lower Dungeness riparian forest. Information from these on-going walks helps us understand the annual cycle of the birds of Railroad Bridge Park.

Dungeness River Management Team. Second Wed. each month, 2 to 5 p.m.
The experts and informed public groups who oversee the management of the Dungeness River meet monthly at the Dungeness River Audubon Center. Public invited to attend.

Work Parties, Last Thu. each month - Jul 30, Aug. 27, and Sep. 24; 1 to 4 p.m.
Three short hours each month to keep RR Bridge Park looking bright and beautiful! Bring your work gloves to assist with gardening, cleaning, trail maintenance and other chores that make our park shine. Sep. 24 we setup for the Dungeness River Festival. Snacks and drinks provided!!

Summer Nature Camps:
Session I: Jul. 6-8; Session II: Jul. 20-22; Session III: Aug. 3-5; Session IV: Aug. 17-19. Daily, 9 a.m to 3 p.m.
Students ages 8 to 11, this is your chance for fun outdoor activities on the banks of the Dungeness River. Every day brings a new exciting theme for children’s enjoyment. Fee: $100 per child, includes t-shirt. Photo CD $10 more. Contact the River Center for information and to sign up.

OPAS Field Trip to Hurricane Ridge & Obstruction Point, Sat., Jul. 11. Cost: Free. Leaders: Bob Iddins, Judy Mullally. Meet 8 a.m. ONP Visitors’ Center, Race Rd. Port Angeles. Bring: Optics, field guides, lunch, & sunscreen. Features: Birds of Olympic National Park sub-alpine. Kestrels, Sooty Grouse, Am. Pipits, Horned Larks, Townsend’s Solitaire, Hermit & Varied Thrush. Further Information: Bob Iddins 360-681-2840

Protection island Puffin Dinner Cruises - Lavender Festival Puffin Cruises. Fri. & Sat., Jul. 17 and 18; Time: 7 to 9 p.m.; Cost: $65 per person
Enjoy birding and dinner aboard the Glacier Spirit as we circumnavigate Protection Island, home to Tufted Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets, Glaucous-winged Gulls, and other seabirds. This always-enjoyable trip leaves from John Wayne Marina in Sequim Bay. Call the River Center at 681-4076 to reserve your spot.

Totem Tour, and Salmon and Stories by the Bay – Lavender Festival Northwest Native Dinner
Fri., Jul. 17; Totem Tour 4 p.m., Salmon Dinner and Stories 6 p.m.; Cost: Totem Tour w/Dinner and Stories: $60, Totem tour only: $20, Dinner and Stories only: $45 adult, $25 child.
Experience Northwest Indian stories, food, and culture at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s beautiful community center overlooking Sequim Bay. Visit the Tribe’s totem pole carving shed and hear Elaine Grinnell’s timeless stories about animals and the S’Klallam people. Salmon dinner prepared the traditional way to highlight the evening. Find info at the Lavender Festival website, www.lavenderfestival.com/special-events/index.html.

Lavender Festival Bird Walk, Sat., Jul. 18; Time: 8:30 a.m.
If you're tired of crowded lavender fields, come on a relaxing bird walk through the riparian forest by the Dungeness River. Bring your binoculars and bird books to see what feathered beauties we can find. One mile, two hours.

Unwine’d by the River – Lavender Festival Dinner in RR Bridge Park.Sat., Jul. 18; 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $25
Enjoy dinner of meat, seafood, and vegetable kebobs on the shores of the Dungeness River at Railroad Bridge Park. Stroll park grounds, viewing the historic railroad bridge, visiting the displays in the Dungeness River Audubon Center, and enjoying the lovely riverside forests, all while listening to the Black Diamond Fiddlers in the park’s amphitheater. Find info at the Lavender Festival website, www.lavenderfestival.com/special-events/index.html.

Ecology of the Dungeness River, Six Thursday mornings, Jul. 23 to Aug. 27, 9 a.m. to noon.
First session at River Center, other sessions in the field. Cost: $40 for River Center Partners, $65 others.
The Dungeness River plunges over 7000 feet in less than 35 miles, one of the steepest rivers in North America. This six-week class investigates the geology, plant and animal communities, and how humans have changed the river during the past 150 years. Class includes five field trips to locations on the river, from the estuary to the mountains.

Septics 101. Tues., Jul. 28, 6 to 8 p.m. (also on Tue., Aug. 25, 6 to 8 p.m,, or Tue, Sep. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.)
The septic system is one of the most expensive parts of many homes, requiring regular inspection and maintenance. This class, taught by Clallam Co. Environmental Health Div., teaches homeowners how septic systems work and how to keep systems in good working condition. You must pre-register with Clallam Co. by calling 360-417-2258.

OPAS Field Trip to Local Bays and Shores, Date: Sat., Aug. 8; Meeting Time: 7 a.m.
Catch early migration of shorebirds and try to find infrequent visitors like Ruff, Bar Tailed Godwit, and Pectoral Sandpiper. Meet at Dungeness Landing Park (Dungeness Oysterhouse). Information: Dave Jackson (360 683-1355).

Art in the Park and Art Show, Aug 14 to 21. The forests, river, and historic bridge of Railroad Bridge Park inspire local artists to create great works and put them on display. During Art in the Park, on Sat. & Sun., Aug. 15 & 16, watch several artists as they work throughout the park. From Aug. 14 to 21 paintings and sculpture will be displayed in the River Center for the community and visitors to enjoy. Come enjoy the show.

OPAS Field Trip to Ocean Shores. Sat. & Sun., Aug 29 & 30. Free, but pay for own lodging and meals.
Late August is a great time to see migrating shorebirds at Grays Harbor, including special rarities like golden plovers and Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Lodging is your choice, either in motel or campground. Call Bob Iddins (360-681-2840) for trip details, or meet at the marina by the Silver King Resort in Ocean Shores at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 29.

Migrant Shorebirds and Gulls Class. Three Thu. mornings, Sep. 3, 10, and 17; 9 a.m. Cost: $30 for River Center partners, $50 for non-partners.
New varieties of shorebirds and gulls migrate through our area in late summer. Learn the identification and natural history of these beautiful birds. Includes field trips to local habitats. Limit: 16 people. Please pre-register.

Natural Science Study Group, Sep. 14, 10 a.m. to noon.
This adult discussion group focuses on the natural world of the north Olympic Peninsula, including climate, weather, rivers, geology, botany, and wildlife. Discussion topics vary with group interests. Come gain some knowledge.

OPAS Monthly Meeting. Wed. Sep. 16; 6 p.m. potluck dinner, 7 p.m. meeting
Join the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society at their monthly meeting, starting with a delicious potluck. Nikki Sather presents her fascinating research about the salmon that live in the Dungeness River.

Introduction to Birds and Birding: A Class for Beginners. Six Tue. evenings, Sep. 22 to Oct. 27; 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $40 River Center partners, $60 non-partners
Want to find out about birds, but afraid to ask? This six-week class for beginning birders provides basic lessons about the types of birds in our area, bird identification, field guides, and birding optics. Includes two field trips to local birding areas. Limit: 16 people. Please pre-register at the River Center.

Dungeness River Festival, Sep. 25-27. Meet Us At The Bridge!! Help celebrate the watershed that keeps the Sequim-Dungeness Valley alive. There will be activities for kids and adults, music, art, food, and much more. We need help organizing this big event, so please contact the River Center if you want to help.

San Juan Islands 3-Day Cruise: Oct. 5 to 7. Join Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society for a three-day cruise and birding adventure through the San Juan Archipelago. We depart from Sequim Bay aboard the 65-foot M/V Glacier Spirit, stay two nights at Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Is., visit Sucia Is. State Park for picnic lunch, and cruise back home by way of spectacular Deception Pass. Lots of birds and marine mammals. Watch for further details at www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org. For information, contact 360-681-4076, or e-mail: rcoffice@olympus.net.