Dungeness River Nature Center Has a New Mission, Name and Logo
This fall the Dungeness River Audubon Center changed its name to the “Dungeness River Nature Center.” The new name reflects the River Center’s educational mission to teach children and adults about the natural environment of the Dungeness River watershed--from its head-waters in the alpine meadows of the Olympic Mountains to its estuary entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The expansion and remodel of the Center is five times larger than the original building at Railroad Bridge Park and will integrate the natural history and the S’Klallam culture of the Olympic Peninsula.
The River Center’s partners, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, and the State and National Audubon Societies have collaborated on the new center. Powell Jones, River Center Director and Park Manager said, “Although we want to continue to be a go-to place for birds, we want visitors to come learn about the Dungeness River’s unique ecosystems and inhabitants that include salmon, mammals, insects, and plants. Additionally, we want to be a place where people come to learn about the special relationship that the Jamestown Tribe has had with this watershed for time immemorial.” Jones says. While “Audubon” has been part of the River Center’s name and logo since 1997, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has been an active partner since 1994.
The River Center sits in the 75-acre Railroad Bridge Park, owned by the Tribe. The Tribe provides a full range of maintenance, repair, and Park and Center facilities upgrades; including caring for the historic railroad bridge that crosses the Dungeness River. “Our Tribe is very excited about this expansion of the Dungeness River Center,” says W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Chair and CEO. “The new name and logo reflect a turning of the page in this Tribal/community program’s purpose.”
“The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society will continue to sponsor and present bird-centric programs, field trips, Bird-Fest, and classes as core components of the Center’s expanded offerings,” says Ken Wiersema, OPAS President. We’re delighted to see the Pileated Woodpecker in Salish art, in the new logo. The National Audubon Society and their State office will continue to work in partnership with the Center to achieve our shared goals." said Wiersema.
Statement By Bud Turner, logo artist of the Jamestown S’Klallam House of Myths
The Salish art form, that you see in this logo, was traditionally done through the craft of woodcarving. The Woodpecker, poised with his claws in the bark and his strong tail bracing him against the tree to carve out his nest, is at the center, encompassing most of its space. Between the Woodpecker and the tree is a long, flowing blue arc that represents the Dungeness River.
The colors are simple but striking to the eye. [They] are warm and welcoming to the viewer, inviting all to come inside the Nature Center to explore and learn all about the complex watershed of the Dungeness River.”
Cover photo Credit by Zach Taiji.