Dungeness River Nature Center reports growth and urgent bridge replacement need; tribe seeks legislative support

Michael Glore, executive director of the Dungeness River Nature Center, reviewed the center’s history, staffing and public programs at the April 8 DRMT meeting and described an urgent infrastructure need: engineering inspections show the 100‑year‑old trestle and bridge are deteriorating and replacement will be required.

Glore said the River Center counted an estimated 47,000 visitors in 2025 (a figure he called an underestimate) and described ongoing improvements including a new network of trails of roughly one mile and plans for interpretive signage. "In 2025, 47,000 people visited the River Center, and that is an underestimate," Glore said, adding the center remains committed to keeping admissions free.

On the bridge, Glore outlined options analyzed in engineering reports: heavy‑duty periodic wooden repairs (costly and recurring), a smaller wooden replacement that could constrain multi‑use access, or a wider Corten (weathering) steel structure designed to preserve historic character while improving safety and accessibility. He said the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe has requested an appropriation of about $2.5 million from the state legislature but the current engineering estimate for the structure is roughly $3.1 million and steel costs have risen recently. "This structure was budgeted at 3,100,000. Surprise, surprise, the cost of steel has gone up in recent months," Glore said.

Glore said the tribe is the property owner and has committed substantial engineering, design and permitting resources; the tribal request to the legislature is intended to help close the funding gap while keeping the site open to the public and preserving the trestle’s historic character. He said the project aims for construction in summer 2027 to avoid in‑water work during biologically sensitive periods.

Montana Napier, the center’s education manager, presented program metrics and volunteer efforts: the center hosted 363 educational programs in 2025 with more than 11,000 participants, ran longstanding fifth‑grade and sixth‑grade field‑trip programs, and supported AmeriCorps placements and a recently formed Dungeness Nature Alliance to coordinate volunteers and habitat work. Napier highlighted outreach events including the Dungeness River Festival and curriculum updates to integrate climate and watershed literacy.

Glore also announced two upcoming job postings as permanent staff depart and encouraged community fundraising and visits to the center’s website for more information and donation opportunities.