The Decision Has Been Made.

View of a river with a large domed government building on a hill in the background, surrounded by trees, under a clear blue sky.
Olympia Will Have A Restored Estuary

2026 Festival of the St̓əč̓as

Friday, August 14, 2026

12:00 - 4:00 PM
Heritage Park
Olympia, WA

Join DERT and the Squaxin Island Tribe for the
2026 Festival of the St̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass)!

The Festival of the St̓əč̓as is a community event centered around Squaxin culture and connection to the area, public education, estuary restoration, environmental stewardship, and envisioning the future of a restored Deschutes Estuary. We will include a thoughtful educational and outreach area featuring organizations doing meaningful work throughout the Deschutes Watershed and South Sound region, as well as live cultural performances and local vendors.

RSVP Here!

Stay up to date with DERT’s monthly newsletter and blog!

Sound Stewards Newsletter
June 2026 Newsletter
June 2026 Newsletter

The 2026 Festival of the Steh-chass, project updates, and more community events!

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May 2026 Newsletter
May 2026 Newsletter

A summer full of educational events, and thank you to our GiveBig donors!

Read more →
April 2026 Newsletter
April 2026 Newsletter

Hear from our Executive Director, engage with local events, and help us raise funds with our GiveBIG campaign!

Read more →
Dishing the DERT
Indigenous Agroforestry Network 2026 Gathering
Indigenous Agroforestry Network 2026 Gathering

Our Community Development Assistant, Ivy Major, attended the 2026 IAN Gathering hosted by the Squaxin Island Tribe at the Little Creek Casino. She spent three days attending panels, discussions, and field visits to learn more about Indigenous stewardship techniques and philosophies from across the continent. DERT is committed to promoting co-management of the land with its original stewards, as their wealth of expert knowledge based on thousands of years of study and practice has been historically disregarded by our colonial governments.

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Dismantling Racism in Education
Dismantling Racism in Education

DERT recently had the opportunity to attend a “Dismantling Systemic Racism in Education” presentation at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, hosted by the Hawk Foundation, with keynote speaker Dr. Joy DeGruy. Dr. DeGruy is a deeply respected researcher and educator whose work explores the long-term impacts of historical trauma and the pathways toward healing and change. The evening was thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. It offered a powerful reminder of how history continues to shape present-day systems and experiences, and showcased a critical truth: when we downplay, or refuse to confront, the histories that have shaped our present, we limit our ability to move toward meaningful healing.

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Climate Justice and Gaming
Climate Justice and Gaming

On Wednesday January 21st, I had the pleasure of attending Evergreen’s Center Climate Action and Sustainability’s Climate Lecture Series, “Gaming for Change: The Role and Power of Games in Education and Climate Justice.” There are plenty of people that hear gaming and their minds go to the stereotype of the day, whether it be first-person shooters or the ever-popular Fortnite. Growing up in the tech boom that brought us from 8-bit games to 4k hyper-realism, the most common association was “waste of time.”

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Who We Are

In 1951 the Deschutes River in Olympia was dammed to create the reflecting pool and sediment reservoir we know today as Capitol Lake. This created a myriad of environmental and public health issues, and the culturally and ecologically significant Deschutes Estuary has ceased to exist since. The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team or DERT advocates for the removal of Olympia’s 5 th Avenue Dam and the full restoration of the Deschutes Estuary. We are a 501(c)3 non- profit incorporated in 2011. We actively educate our community on the benefits of estuary restoration and advocate for funding and necessary studies. We envision a restored urban estuary and functioning ecosystem in the headwaters of Puget Sound.

The debate of whether to restore the Deschutes Estuary or maintain Capitol Lake has lasted for decades. Meanwhile, water quality conditions in the lake and adjacent Budd Inlet have declined rapidly, endangering salmon and violating federal water quality standards. View the science behind why the estuary should be restored. View our publications here.

The State of Washington has now released the final Environmental Impact Statement on the management of the sediment reservoir. Read the EIS.

You can also learn about the Deschutes Watershed Council.

Support Us

A large group of people seated in a conference room, listening to a speaker at a podium. There are tables with refreshments at the back, and a person is speaking into a microphone.

Donate to DERT

Your financial contribution supports our staff and advocacy partners’ tireless work driving public support through community education and engagement.

Donate

Volunteer

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Volunteer Center

DERT is currently revamping our volunteer program. If you are interested in volunteering with us in the future, please complete the form below to join our volunteer listserv.

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Overview

Colored map illustrating water flow and flood modeling around a river, with color-coded zones indicating water levels and flood risk areas.

Learn the Science

What is an Estuary? An estuary is where a river meets the sea. The Deschutes River flows 57 miles from the Gifford Pinchot/Snoqualmie National Forest into Budd Inlet of South Puget Sound.

More Information

Upcoming Events

Join DERT for our first Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary workshop of 2026! Link to RSVP: https://secure.anedot.com/deschutes-estuary-restoration-team/june2026-cede-workshop Our freshwater resources in the Deschutes Watershed face serious larg
Join DERT for our first Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary workshop of 2026! Link to RSVP: https://secure.anedot.com/deschutes-estuary-restoration-team/june2026-cede-workshop Our freshwater resources in the Deschutes Watershed face serious large-scale issues, from climate change to population growth. Responsible solutions to these issues must be organized at a watershed-scale and enacted systemically. DERT's first workshop in the 2026 CEDE series will allow our community to engage with speakers from the Squaxin Island Tribe, the LOTT Alliance, Thurston County, and Conservation Northwest. They’ll share how their organizations are protecting our natural resources, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask them questions about their work and what we can do to ensure that our water is sustainably managed for generations to come.
Happy Pride from all of us at DERT!
Happy Pride from all of us at DERT!
Check out our May Newsletter for info on our Summer education events, and a huge thank you to our GiveBig Donors! https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/may-2026-newsletter
Check out our May Newsletter for info on our Summer education events, and a huge thank you to our GiveBig Donors! https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/may-2026-newsletter
Last night DERT welcomed dozens of our supporters for a night of gratitude and celebration. The continued support of our community has sustained us for 15 years and counting. We were incredibly lucky to be joined and addressed by our local elected o
Last night DERT welcomed dozens of our supporters for a night of gratitude and celebration. The continued support of our community has sustained us for 15 years and counting. We were incredibly lucky to be joined and addressed by our local elected officials: Mayor Dontae Payne, Representatives Beth Doglio and Lisa Parshley, and Port Commissioner Krag Unsoeld. We even had Olympia City Councilmember Paul Berendt drop by! Being able to bring them into a room full of enthusiastic support for the restoration of the Deschutes Estuary is vital to continued work on the state and local levels. And the Department of Ecology has made some amazing progress - last night we learned that the restoration project will be at 90% design by the end of the year and they've already begun permit and grant applications! In the world of government, they're moving lightning fast. Some might think this is the finish line for DERT, but we're just beginning. Representative Parshley's words really stuck out to me. She said that this restoration is not only a local issue, but one that impacts all of Puget Sound. I think that means we have a whole lot more work to do. Stick with us, friends. We're just getting started.
The final day of #GiveBIG is here! Support DERT's campaign today! We are proud to have advocated for and helped secure funding for the design and permitting phase of the 5th Ave Dam removal project in Olympia, an important step toward restoring the
The final day of #GiveBIG is here! Support DERT's campaign today! We are proud to have advocated for and helped secure funding for the design and permitting phase of the 5th Ave Dam removal project in Olympia, an important step toward restoring the Deschutes Estuary. As this work moves forward, we’re stepping into DERT’s next chapter- and it’s a pivotal moment. That’s where you come in. DERT started with a few passionate people and a shared vision. As we look ahead, we are exploring how to thoughtfully develop a long-term strategic plan that will guide our next phase of work and ensure we are serving our community as effectively as possible. Our $15,000 GiveBIG goal will help support this effort. A portion of these funds may be used to support strategic planning, community outreach, strengthening partnerships, and supporting our growing team. We invite you to be part of DERT’s future. Whether you can give $5 or $500, your support helps shape the next chapter of this work. If you've already donated, thank you! Please share with other Yestuarians and help us free the Deschutes! https://mtyc.co/pg7a4f
Check out this month's newsletter for a word from our new Executive Director - plus community events and DERT's GiveBIG campaign! https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/april-2026
Check out this month's newsletter for a word from our new Executive Director - plus community events and DERT's GiveBIG campaign! https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/april-2026
The first day of early giving is here! Support DERT's GiveBIG campaign today! https://www.wagives.org/story/63q3nf We are proud to have advocated for and helped secure funding for the design and permitting phase of the 5th Ave Dam removal project i
The first day of early giving is here! Support DERT's GiveBIG campaign today! https://www.wagives.org/story/63q3nf We are proud to have advocated for and helped secure funding for the design and permitting phase of the 5th Ave Dam removal project in Olympia, an important step toward restoring the Deschutes Estuary. As this work moves forward, we’re stepping into DERT’s next chapter- and it’s a pivotal moment. That’s where you come in. DERT started with a few passionate people and a shared vision. As we look ahead, we are exploring how to thoughtfully develop a long-term strategic plan that will guide our next phase of work and ensure we are serving our community as effectively as possible. Our $15,000 GiveBIG goal will help support this effort. A portion of these funds may be used to support strategic planning, community outreach, strengthening partnerships, and supporting our growing team. We invite you to be part of DERT’s future. Whether you can give $5 or $500, your support helps shape the next chapter of this work.
In 1951 the Deschutes River in Olympia was dammed to create the reflecting pool and sediment reservoir we know today as Capitol Lake. This created a myriad of environmental and public health issues, and the culturally and ecologically significant Des
In 1951 the Deschutes River in Olympia was dammed to create the reflecting pool and sediment reservoir we know today as Capitol Lake. This created a myriad of environmental and public health issues, and the culturally and ecologically significant Deschutes Estuary ceased to exist. Since 2009, the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) has advocated for the removal of Olympia’s 5th Avenue Dam and the full restoration of the Deschutes Estuary. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in 2011. We actively educate our community on the benefits of estuary restoration and advocate for funding and necessary studies. We envision a restored urban estuary and functioning ecosystem all the way to the headwaters of Puget Sound. The debate of whether to restore the Deschutes Estuary or maintain Capitol Lake has lasted for decades. Meanwhile, water quality conditions in the lake and adjacent Budd Inlet have declined, endangering salmon and violating federal water quality standards. In 2022, the State of Washington released the final Environmental Impact Statement on the management of the sediment reservoir, with a “preferred alternative” to remove the dam and restore the estuary. The Washington State Legislature has been consistent in providing funding for design and permitting for dam removal and estuary restoration. The current timeline calls for project completion by 2032. For the latest updates, please refer to Washington State Department of Ecology’s project site: deschutesestuaryproject.org. The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project (DERP) will be the largest estuary restoration project in an urban setting in the United States. Click Here for the Survey! ---> https://qualtricsxm6ygm9c9qg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2mMCIdH6h67FvPo
Black History Month, West Bay Yards Update, and DERP Site Tours in this month's Sound Stewards Newsletter! Check out our website for our monthly newsletter and new blog "Dishing the DERT." https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-n
Black History Month, West Bay Yards Update, and DERP Site Tours in this month's Sound Stewards Newsletter! Check out our website for our monthly newsletter and new blog "Dishing the DERT." https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/february2026
Today, DERT stands in solidarity with the countless individuals and organizations across the country striking in protest of ICE's unconstitutional and inhumane actions. We encourage anyone in our community who is capable of not working or shopping to
Today, DERT stands in solidarity with the countless individuals and organizations across the country striking in protest of ICE's unconstitutional and inhumane actions. We encourage anyone in our community who is capable of not working or shopping to do so, and support the youth who are staging walk-outs from their classrooms. In memory of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Silverio Villegas González, and Keith Porter Jr., killed unjustly by federal agents. #iceout
Join DERT for our first Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary workshop of 2026! Link to RSVP: https://secure.anedot.com/deschutes-estuary-restoration-team/june2026-cede-workshop Our freshwater resources in the Deschutes Watershed face serious larg Happy Pride from all of us at DERT! Check out our May Newsletter for info on our Summer education events, and a huge thank you to our GiveBig Donors! https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/may-2026-newsletter Last night DERT welcomed dozens of our supporters for a night of gratitude and celebration. The continued support of our community has sustained us for 15 years and counting. We were incredibly lucky to be joined and addressed by our local elected o The final day of #GiveBIG is here! Support DERT's campaign today! We are proud to have advocated for and helped secure funding for the design and permitting phase of the 5th Ave Dam removal project in Olympia, an important step toward restoring the Check out this month's newsletter for a word from our new Executive Director - plus community events and DERT's GiveBIG campaign! https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-newsletter/april-2026 The first day of early giving is here! Support DERT's GiveBIG campaign today! https://www.wagives.org/story/63q3nf We are proud to have advocated for and helped secure funding for the design and permitting phase of the 5th Ave Dam removal project i In 1951 the Deschutes River in Olympia was dammed to create the reflecting pool and sediment reservoir we know today as Capitol Lake. This created a myriad of environmental and public health issues, and the culturally and ecologically significant Des Black History Month, West Bay Yards Update, and DERP Site Tours in this month's Sound Stewards Newsletter! Check out our website for our monthly newsletter and new blog "Dishing the DERT." https://www.deschutesestuary.org/sound-stewards-n Today, DERT stands in solidarity with the countless individuals and organizations across the country striking in protest of ICE's unconstitutional and inhumane actions. We encourage anyone in our community who is capable of not working or shopping to