Book review: 'Saving the Nisqually Delta'

Shirley Stirling

"Saving the Nisqually Delta," by Olympia-based journalist Janine Gates, tells how one of Washington state’s most fragile and ecologically rich landscapes was rescued from development and preserved.

Blending an engaging narrative with deeply researched history, the book traces the decades-long struggle to protect the delta —  the story of how this watershed home was nearly lost — and how determined local residents joined forces to save it.

Unlikely alliances

The Nisqually Delta — where river meets sea in a tapestry of wetlands, tidal flats, and wildlife habitat— has long been a crossroads for Native people, for early settlers, for bird life along the Pacific Flyway, and for advocates working to safeguard the shoreline.

"Saving the Nisqually Delta" brings these stories together, revealing how tribal leaders, environmentalists, volunteers, scientists, students, and community members built unlikely alliances to achieve what many once believed impossible.

Consider some interesting facts: Did you know that the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife quietly advanced early preservation efforts with its $424 per-acre purchase of 283 acres on the Thurston County side of the Delta? Did you know that the fight for Native fishing rights dovetails with salmon habitat preservation, and that the Nisqually Tribe and its members have long been at the forefront?

Indeed, the Nisqually is such a unique and captivating place that it has inspired many, including several Nisqually Delta Association board members, to dedicate decades of their lives to its protection.

A word from Dan Evans

The book opens with an introduction by former Washington Governor Dan Evans, whose longstanding commitment to conservation gives added weight to the story, along with his participation. Evans reflects on the statewide significance of the delta and frames the grassroots campaign to protect it as a defining moment in Washington’s history.

'Walk the walk'

With vivid storytelling, the book showcases the leadership of key local figures, the turning points that shaped the campaign, and the national significance of protecting this water refuge. The story teaches an appreciation for the delta’s biodiversity and offers a practical blueprint for future action, reminding us that conservation is, by nature, ongoing and requires continual vigilance. Literally and figuratively, readers are invited to “walk the walk” at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Decades of research

Using the Olympia-based Nisqually Delta Association as her anchor, the author traces the work of tribal leaders, volunteers, educators, and conservation advocates who pushed back against development pressures to protect the delta’s fragile marshlands. Their collective efforts ultimately helped secure what would become a celebrated Northwest wildlife refuge and national standout.

Grassroots action

This is not simply an environmental history. "Saving the Nisqually Delta" reveals how grassroots action — letters written at kitchen tables, meetings in church halls, and tireless advocacy from people who simply loved the place — grew into a campaign with national impact. The story highlights key turning points, the people who shaped them, and the extraordinary persistence required to preserve a landscape central to the region’s ecological identity.

Not by chance

For JOLT readers who enjoy local history, community action, and a strong sense of place, "Saving the Nisqually Delta" offers inspiration and insight, reminding us that cherished spaces endure not by chance but because ordinary people decide they are worth fighting for and take action.

"Saving the Nisqually Delta" - Author: Janine Gates  Publisher: Little Hollywood Media  Publication Year: 2025  ISBN: 979-8-9900537-0-0  Length: 312 pages  Format: Paperback. 

Visit the website for book purchasing and upcoming events: Book sale locations: Washington State Legislative Gift Center, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Nature Shop, Browsers Bookshop, Orca Books Cooperative, Last Word Books & Press, DuPont Historical Museum, The Lakewood Bookstore, Eastside Food Co-op, and Washington State History Museum.