Nisqually Estuary Restoration and Field Studies

Hoquiam Montesano

Grand Mound

Chehalis

Centralia

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The Nisqually Delta started forming about 15,000 years ago.

The Nisqually Indians were the first people to live in the area.

The Nisqually people were first known as “Squally-absch”, meaning “people of the grass country”.

Americans later changed the spelling to Nisqually.

Medicine Creek Treaty Tree

Before and after the December 15, 2006 wind storm

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In 1904 A.L. Brown bought 850 acres along McAllister Creek, as well as 1,500 acres along the Nisqually River Delta, building a earthen dike to keep the salt water out of the low delta lands.

Many plans were proposed for the delta, including a landfill !"#$!$#%%&$'!(%)$&*)(+$

Luckily, there were conservationists and activists who worked with state and federal officials to protect the Delta from development.

In 1974, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be managed as part of the

National Wildlife Refuge System.

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Saltwater

Freshwater

Dike

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Thank you!

Questions?

Kate O’Brien – Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Kathy Jacobson – Chehalis Basin Education Consortium Sheila Wilson- Nisqually River Education Project