Nisqually


Research Internship	Habitat Restoration

With acquisition of the Braget Farm, the Nisqually Indian Tribe has begun restoration of tidal influence to historically diked areas on the east (Pierce County) side of the Nisqually Delta. For over a century, these lands have been used primarily for pasturage and hay fields, and secondarily for duck hunting clubs. The restoration sites total 50 acres of former pasture which is being allowed to return to its original high salt marsh habitat following dike removal.

NRNC has formed a partnership with the Nisqually Tribe to assist with habitat restoration and monitoring. The Nature Center initiated this partnership by winning a 5 Star Partnership grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Part of this grant was passed through to the Nisqually Tribe for fencing off remaining cow pasture lands from Nisqually River riparian habitats. Fencing material was purchased by the Tribe with grant funds, and work crews from the Washington Conservation Corps constructed the fence.Over a mile of the Nisqually River bank was protected.

The Nature Center is monitoring bird use of the restoration area on a monthly basis. Lead by Daniel Hull, NRNC's program manager, volunteers from the Nature Center census bird populations and record habitat use.

Using funds from a grant to the Nature Center from The Russell Family Foundation, we sponsored an undergraduate student from The Evergreen State College in conducting a botanical characterization of a reference high salt marsh site adjacent the restoration site.

Doug Myers and Doug Canning