Building Expansion
Welcome to the new Dungeness River Nature Center!
The Inspire Wonder capital campaign was launched in 2018 to significantly expand and remodel the former modest building housing the Dungeness River Nature Center.
The campaign was a great success raising more than $5,300,000 through grants, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and community members!
The doors opened in July 2022 with new meeting spaces, a wildlife viewing area, rain garden, commercial kitchen, coffee bar, and gift shop. Educational exhibits depicting the ecosystems of the Dungeness River will open in Spring 2023.
A new entry road and parking lot provide a safe and convenient entry to the Nature Center.
Here’s a sneak peak at some of the new features:
The Flyway
New meeting room ready to go!
Coffee shop underway!
Rain Garden ready to capture and treat stormwater runoff.
Enjoy the Inspire Wonder Campaign video and construction in progress videos.
Virtual Hard Hat Tour.
River Center Construction Update December 2020
River Center Construction Video November 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the project involve?
The Dungeness River Nature Center expansion of the current building, adding more than 5,000 square feet of space for education, offices, and community meetings. Visitors now enjoy spacious rooms, an expanded area for interpretive exhibits, a commercial kitchen specifically designed for catering, a concession stand, a new entry, and a safer parking area with improved access to the Center and the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Why is the building expansion and remodel needed?
The former River Center was small! At 1,600 square feet, all classes, programs, and meetings competed for the use of the building’s single room that also housed natural history exhibits and teaching materials. Staff offices were narrow and cramped. The parking lot was small, and the access road in danger of washing away from river flooding. Our ability to serve the community was severely limited.