As we move into a season centered around reflection and gratitude, all of us at the Dungeness River Nature Center have been thinking about what it truly means to be part of a community. For us, gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s something we see every day in the small moments of connection happening here at the River Center.

We find ourselves extremely thankful for the families who explore our exhibits, the students who learn by the river, the adults who join us for programs that deepen their connection to nature, the volunteers who give their time, and the donors who make all this possible. And this year, as our organization continues to grow while facing new funding challenges, we’re reminded of something simple and true:

It takes a village to keep this place thriving.

We have come a long way from our humble beginnings as a small natural history museum in a Sequim High School classroom over 30 years ago. Today, we are grateful to have a permanent home at Railroad Bridge Park where our community can gather, learn, and connect with nature in ways we could have only dreamed of.

We are so thankful for this growth and for the trust the community has placed in us. But with growth comes an increased need to sustain what we offer. With recent cuts from grant giving organizations, 94% of our funding now comes from donations alone. We are truly community supported, and your generosity is what keeps our mission alive.

Which is why your support on days like Giving Tuesday, especially during this season of gratitude, matters more than ever.

This Giving Tuesday, December 2nd, let’s celebrate the gratitude that flows through our community: gratitude for the people who make up our village, and gratitude for the many ways the River Center provides learning and nature connection to people of all ages.

Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 to help bridge these funding gaps and sustain the experiences and programs our community relies on. A generous donor in our village has offered a $5,000 match for Giving Tuesday, doubling the impact of every gift until the match is met.

Give Here 

If you’d like to share your own message of gratitude for the River Center, please email [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

We hope you’ll join us in giving gratitude on what the River Center means to you and to our community whether through a donation, a message of support, or by following along.

Thank you for being part of this community. We wouldn’t be here without you.