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Volunteer Appreciation 2025: Guided Birding Walk with Tahoma Bird Alliance

Day Work Party

Wed Nov 5, 2025: 10:00 AM — 12:30 PM

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Region

Olympic Peninsula — Olympia

Features: Bring your family!, Potluck, Special Event

Crew Leader: Paul Boronow

The Boardwalk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Tomas.

Overview

Volunteers, thank you for another amazing year. This event is part of our Volunteer Appreciation Week. If you’ve ever volunteered with WTA (or would like to), this event is for you! Join us as we celebrate our Olympics-based volunteers alongside a guide from the Tahoma Bird Alliance.

About the Area

The refuge is an excellent year-round destination for wildlife viewing and photography. It was created in 1974 — thanks in part to Frank Jr.'s tireless work — to protect the diverse fish and wildlife that call the Nisqually River Delta home. In addition to a myriad bird species, harbor seals, otters, salmon, and many other animals enjoy these expansive tideflats, and interested hikers can while away many hours watching active wildlife.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

Join us for a laid-back 1–3 mile hike, binoculars at the ready, as we search for some feathered friends along the way! Bring your own binoculars if you have them, but don’t worry, the Tahoma Bird Alliance will have a few to share if you come without.


Please bring your “America the Beautiful” Pass if you have one, as it will cover parking and entry fees. We have also been strongly encouraged to carpool, as parking at the refuge is limited.

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be 1-3 miles round-trip over gently rolling terrain.

Schedule

  • 8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
  • 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
  • Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
  • Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
  • 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Special Event

Volunteers, thank you for another amazing year. This event is part of our Volunteer Appreciation Week. If you’ve ever volunteered with WTA (or would like to), this event is for you!

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

Required:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
  • Long pants

Recommended:

  • Sturdy work or hiking boots
  • Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring

  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

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Partners

Directions

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is located 8 miles northeast of Olympia, Washington, at 100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, WA 98516: 


  • Southbound on Interstate 5:  take exit 114. Turn right at the traffic light, go under I-5, and make a right turn into the Refuge. Follow the entrance road to the two public parking lots. 


  • Northbound on Interstate 5: take exit 114. Turn left at the stop sign, go under I-5, and make a right turn into the Refuge. Follow the entrance road to the two public parking lots. 


Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

You must be part of this crew and have a My Backpack account to see the Crew Corner.

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Carpool

Find a ride, give a ride with people who also want to carpool.