Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team

Who we are: DERT works on behalf of the health of the Deschutes Watershed and its inhabitants from a biocultural perspective. Our primary focus is accomplishing a complete and culturally relevant restoration of the Deschutes estuary in downtown Olympia via the 5th Avenue dam removal to reconnect the river to the Salish Sea; our long-term goal is to improve the health of the entire Deschutes Watershed. We communicate the best interests of the local environment and its advocates, especially the Squaxin Island Tribe (although we do not speak for them), with the mutual health of salmon and community at the forefront. This work is accomplished through strategies of political advocacy, institutional development, community engagement, and citizen science.

Our Mission: To realize a fully restored Deschutes Estuary that reflects and respects the history and culture of the south Salish Sea, and advocate for a community managed Deschutes watershed that provides for all inhabitants for generations to come.

GIVE BIG and help support: DERT has many projects that will benefit from your support! With your generous donations you will contribute to the complete biocultural restoration of the Deschutes Estuary by supporting programs and events like:

• The Festival of the Steh-Chass - August 17th 2024
  • DERT is helping to host the 2nd Festival of the Steh-Chass (the name for the Deschutes Estuary and the Squaxin Island Tribal peoples who inhabited the area) alongside the Squaxin Island Tribe. This event is aimed at sharing and celebrating the past, present, and future of the Squaxin People, held on the banks of the once and future estuary (Heritage Park). We hope to see you there!
• Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary (CEDE) 
  • This process aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, prioritizing those impacted by the damming of the Deschutes, to engage in several monthly meetings centered around co-learning and co-design to develop consensus on restoration targets. With a diverse collaborative cohort, which includes local government, non-profits, educational organizations, technical experts, and tribal members, this process will complement the Department of Enterprise Service’s Community Sounding Board leading to greater community engagement.
• Deschutes Watershed Ambassador Program (DWA)
  • This program aims to provide a free and equitable program for High School students from schools throughout Thurston County centered around the cultural and scientific past, present, and future of the Deschutes River. This program will provide a once monthly field day to students at a diverse assemblage of cultural and ecologically important sites including: The Salish Roots Farm, LOTT, and restoration sites along the Deschutes to name a few!
• Community Forums
  • DERT is holding as many as 5 community forums in 2024, aimed at engaging and educating our community around the relevant science, culture, and the cultural ecosystems that result and/or exist outside of a western scientific framework.
• We are also actively working towards:
  • Convening the first ever Deschutes Watershed Council.
  • Tabling at events to spread awareness of the issues,
  • Collaborating with partner agencies,
  • Providing public comment on important ecological issues,
  • Much More!!!