Free
The Deschutes!
The once healthy and vital Deschutes estuary is now a public
and environmental health hazard known as Capitol Lake. Recreational access is closed
until the area is restored, and the water is of poor quality and full of invasive species - unhealthy for people
and wildlife.
But
it doesn't have to stay that way. By removing Olympia's 5th Avenue dam (constructed in 1951) and restoring
the southernmost tip of Puget Sound, we can bring this place back to life.
Removing the dam is the first step towards replacing the stagnant "lake" next to
downtown Olympia with a vibrant, healthy ecosystem. It will create jobs in the
restoration field, open public recreation access, and return the beauty of the marine water environment - Puget Sound's natural place.
The
Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) has been the only group bold enough
to take on the work to restore the mouth of the Deschutes River. Since 2009, we
have given the estuary a voice at public meetings and advisory groups,
and raised awareness in the community through outreach and education with
regular newsletters, media and events. We have covered a lot of ground in the
past five years, and we need your help to carry and build the momentum.
When you become a member and contribute to DERT, you help
bring us one step closer to removing the dam and restoring the estuary.
What
We Need
Your
contribution to DERT helps up pay for:
- Outreach and education on the functions of
estuaries in healthy watersheds and the importance of removing the dam to
restore the Deschutes estuary.
- The return of public access and recreation to a
vibrant urban estuary.
- Continued operations of the Deschutes Estuary
Restoration Team and our outspoken advocates for clean water, a restored
environment and a robust economy.
What
You Get
When you donate to DERT - you can choose between an enticing set of perks which, either produced by us or gifted by
local businesses that love what we are doing and support estuary restoration. DERT is a 501(c)3, and your contribution is tax-deductible!
-
Membership: With a membership to DERT, you show your support for restoration, and receive
regular updates on our work and the Deschutes estuary.
-
Stickers: YES + estuary = YEStuary! Join in
our messaging campaign so that more and more people (and governments) will
say YES!
-
T-shirt: Designed by Spin Tees. Design posted below!
-
Local Businesses
that support
this campaign include Tamale Fusion, Traditions Café,
Blue Heron Bakery, Dino’s Coffee Roasters, Spin Tees, Fertile Ground Guesthouse, the Warehouse Rock Gym and
individuals who offer services in massage, acupuncture and astrology.
- The Squaxin
Island Tribe supports this campaign by offering 18 holes for four at their world class Salish Cliffs golf course, two 1-night stays at the Salish Cliffs Spa resort and passes to their amazing museum.
- An estuary supporters Paula Connelley and Ann Butler offer a four-night stay at a cabin at Lake Tahoe.
-
Poster: This poster, pictured below, shows
one vision of a restored estuary, designed by Carrie Zielger.
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The
Impact
One of our biggest challenges is that
many people do not understand the benefits of a healthy, functioning estuary. Some do not know what an estuary is. And, others can’t visualize what the estuary will look like. DERT has been working
on a program called ‘Imagine the Deschutes Estuary,’ where we are helping people
visualize an urban estuary and its social, economic and ecological landscape. We have been working
with various artists (as demonstrated in our video) to create imagery of the
estuary. What animals will we see? What will the tides looks like? Where are
the people? Walking, kayaking, fishing, watching? Working as a scientist, laborer, or
educator?
Last year, DERT received a grant from
the Rose Foundation to develop advocacy programs and recruit volunteers. These funds have helped us create a stronger presence in the community. We just received another grant and we are using it to build our capacity. Just imagine how much
more impact we will have with more opportunities to reach out to people. We are
also focused on long-term strategic goals that ensure the livelihood of our
nonprofit organization. This includes bringing in additional funds - Indiegogo is our first attempt at an on-line fundraising effort!
Other
Ways You Can Help
Don’t
have the means to contribute to the campaign? You can still help!
- Share this event with you friends through
social media, e-mails and word-of-mouth!
- Volunteer with DERT! We have a variety of
opportunities. Shoot us a line at olydert@gmail.com
- Do you have something you could offer as a perk for
this campaign? An item, service, or experience? Let us know!
Thanks to all of you - for your contributions and for your dedication to restoring the Deschutes estuary!!
