Welcoming the New Year Quickening

							                                            The Bridge
                                        Interpretive Newsletter
                                         Deception Pass State Park
                                                 March 2010




                      Fertile Ground                                            Signs of Spring
         This is a wonderful time of year, everything                    Photos from March 8th, 2010
is quickening (especially this year), preparing for               All of these pictures were taken in the park
the spring explosion of activity. Look around at all         on one day, some signs that herald spring-time:
the plants you see, each and every one had to find
fertile ground to set down roots and grow. Every
living thing needs the right conditions to grow and
complete their life cycle, from the lichens that can
colonize bare rock, to the bald eagles that need
specific conditions to nest and raise young.
          I am reminded every spring working with 5th
graders who visit the park to investigate the water
quality of Cranberry Lake by looking at the
environmental indicators of pH and macro
invertebrates (big bugs), that this is especially true
of us humans. While the students are busy peering
into the lake or into the microscopes, I am able to
take a step back and observe their learning                             Salmon Berry, Bowman Bay
environment. Lucky for them and for our future,
their teachers and school community have provided
them with meaningful experiences and
opportunities to explore their environments.
Watching each student make connections and get
excited about the world around them is one of the
privileges of my job. For some of them this
experience will inspire them to pursue a career in
science, for others, it will be art or biological
illustration. Whatever growth pattern they choose,
it is critical that they are given the space and
conditions to grow.
         I would like to extend a sincere thank you to
all of the people that make these experiences
possible. Without these opportunities, many of us
(me included) would not be where we are today.
Please continue to support these opportunities and
remember that they do not end when we graduate                             Common Draba, Sand Dunes
from formal schooling.


Deception Pass State Park, Interpretive Services: 360.675.3767 x31
                                                                 Bridge Fact of the Month
                                                                  Following the reallocation of funding that
                                                          Capt. Morris secured, it took until 1929 for
                                                          legislation favoring the building of the bridge to get
                                                          passed. Enter Berte Olson, ferry-boat captain of
                                                          Deception Pass and Hood Canal. Berte prevailed
                                                          upon her friend and supporter Governor Roland
                                                          Hartley to veto the legislation. The campaign to
                                                          override the veto failed, once again delaying the
            Red Flowering Current, Rosario                building of the bridge.
                                                                 Stay tuned for the next chapter in the saga.



                                                                     School Trips to Deception Pass
                                                           If you are a teacher or know a class that is
                                                           interested in taking a field trip to Deception Pass
                                                           State Park, contact us at 360-675-3767 ext 31 or
                                                           adam.lorio@parks.wa.gov to schedule a trip with
                                                           park staff.


                                                                           Looking Forward
                                                          The Deception Pass Bridge turns 75 years old on
                                                          Saturday, July 31st, 2010.
                                                          We are planning a celebration to rival the opening
                Oregon Grape, Rosario                     of the Bridge in 1935.
                                                          We need your help!
                                                          Please contact me if you would like to be involved:
                                                          Adam: 360-675-3767 ext 31
                                                          adam.lorio@parks.wa.gov
                                                          Thank you to those that have already volunteered, it
                                                          is already taking shape to be an incredible event!


                                                          If you would like to schedule an Interpretive
                                                          Program or have any questions regarding
                                                          Interpretive/Education Services at Deception Pass
                                                          State Park please contact us at:
                                                          (360)675-3767 ext 31 or adam.lorio@parks.wa.gov
                                                          If you would like to be added to or removed from
                                                          the regular e-mail distribution list please contact us
              Song Sparrow, Sand Dunes                    at adam.lorio@parks.wa.gov


Deception Pass State Park, Interpretive Services: 360.675.3767 x31