FOR RELEASE July 13, 2020

Powell Jones, Director and Park Manager, 360-681-4076; [email protected]

Annette Hanson, Capital Campaign Chair, 360-670-6774; [email protected]

Sequim, Washington.

            A virtual groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, July 13, 2020, celebrated the start of construction for an expanded Dungeness River Audubon Center.  The celebration marks the success of a three-year campaign that raised funds through a combination of grants, fundraising events, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses.

            The ceremony was held via Zoom and featured the following speakers:

Videos were shared of the Tribal Blessing by Loni Grinnell-Greninger, Tribal Council Vice-Chair of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and a video of breaking the ground by Kirk Nelson, Facilities and Construction Manager, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.  (Photos are attached of the Tribal Blessing and excavation).

A grant of $1.5 million from the taxpayers of Washington State contributed significantly to the total amount raised. The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council purchased 4.5 acres of land east of the Center in 2016 and has made major commitments to the project. Tribe leaders agreed to take on the role of general contractor of the project recently, providing many savings and allowing the project to proceed as planned.

Located in the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Railroad Bridge Park on the Dungeness River, the expansion will include addition of a new wing, as well as a new access road and parking lot. The current building will be expanded to add a classroom, 150-seat community multipurpose room, commercial kitchen, restrooms, office space, gift shop, a new entry, and concession stand.

“This virtual ceremony is the most unusual groundbreaking I’ve ever been to,” said W. Ron Allen, Tribal Council Chair, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.  “I look forward to one year from now, when we can see and talk to each other onsite to celebrate the Grand Opening.  The Tribe is delighted and honored to be a partner in this amazing resource that is a centerpiece of the Peninsula. We raise our hands to express our deep appreciation to all who have made this project possible.”

Mike Chapman, Washington State Representative, 24th District, said “my hat’s off to everyone who put in thousands and thousands of hours to make this happen.”

Steve Tharinger, Washington State Representative, 24th District, Chair, House Capital Budget Committee, said the River Center has been a fabulous community asset through the years and it has a great future. It is another example of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s commitment to the greater community.” He quoted Shakespeare: “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” And said that the “Center has a huge impact on the lives of kids and families, providing many touches with nature.”

Annette Hanson, Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, thanked all who donated to the project during the campaign that began in 2016 and went public in June 2018. “Our future is awesome.  In 2019, we recorded 220,000 crossings of the bridge, we engaged 4264 children in hands-on science, and served 19,277 people in educational programs. Imagine how many more people can benefit from the Center and Park when the expansion is complete.”

Construction could begin as soon as August 2020. Completion of the building expansion is expected to be by Summer of 2021. Depending on fund raising, the remodel of the existing building is planned to begin shortly after the expansion’s grand opening. Exhibits and interpretive displays are in the planning and grant-writing stages.

About the Dungeness River Audubon Center

Incorporated in 1994, the River Center has become a unique resource for educational activities that connect people with nature. It is run by four partner organizations:  Dungeness River Audubon Center, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and National Audubon.

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