Olympic Discovery Nature Center

North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center students pair up with NOSC and other volunteers to get their hands dirty

2010-11-15T12:31:00.001-08:00

2010-05-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

2010 Landscaping and Weeding at the Morse Creek Cabin

Volunteers after a fun day of planting!

With 25 volunteers and help from NOSC board members and staff, the future site of the Olympic Discovery Nature Center was landscaped with native trees and shrubs. The planting took place along the entrance pathway and stormwater retention basin that was constructed by NOSC and volunteers in 2009. Members of Peninsula College's veterans club and the local community attended the planting. NOSC provided volunteers with education about salmon habitat restoration and salmon biology.

Volunteers staging the plants and prepping the site

Volunteers hard at work!!

NOSC staff and board weeding at the cabin

2009 Progress on Olympic Discovery Nature Center

2009-11-16T10:24:00.000-08:00

With financial assistance from an ALEA grant and other partners, the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) is one step closer to opening the doors to the Olympic Discovery Nature Center at Morse Creek. When complete, it will offer self-guided interpretive exhibits, guided nature walks, nature-based educational opportunities and more -- tools that will be used by NOSC to foster an appreciation for the natural resources of Morse Creek, the Olympic Peninsula and Washington State.

Project accomplishments over the course of the grant period include:

• Construction of a stormwater filtration pond, which will treat approximately 5 acres of runoff from Highway 101 before the water enters Morse Creek.
• Installation of three interpretive signs focused on native plants, invasive plants and the salmon life cycle.
• Construction of a pergola with a concrete pad.
• Installation of a pathway from the stormwater pond to the building.
• Installation of approximately 1,400 native plants on the property.
• Interior renovations of the main building with the assistance of skilled volunteers.
• The implementation of summer educational programs with the YMCA.

-Joshua Nicholas -WDFW Cooperative Projects Coordinator

2008-08-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Imagine a facility equipped with a wide variety of natural science exploration equipment as well as an extensive natural history library, where these resources are utilized to inspire awe for nature through education and stewardship on the Olympic Peninsula.

This is the vision for the Olympic Discovery Nature Center.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has acquired the log cabin at Morse Creek, as well as 130 acres of surrounding wetland and stream frontage. With help from community partners, this log cabin will soon open as the Olympic Discovery Nature Center!

Situated near an Olympic Discovery Trail access point by Port Angeles and Hwy 101, the Nature Center will be an ideal jumping off point for exploration and interpretation of the unique habitat of Morse Creek as well as the entire North Olympic Peninsula.

To meet the Center’s mission to inspire awe for nature, educational opportunities include:

· Self-guided interpretive exhibits
· Low-impact development demonstration
· Community service opportunities
· Community forums
· Educational resources
· Raingardens & native plantings

In order to realize the vision of the Olympic Discovery Nature Center, a strong foundation of community partners is needed. Current partners include:

· The Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
· The North Olympic Salmon Coalition
· The Center for Excellence, Peninsula College
· Olympic Park Institute

Please join these organizations and become a Nature Center Partner or Business Sponsor...

...working together to create an education and stewarship gateway...