A new book, Saving the Nisqually Delta, chronicles the decades-long citizen activism that saved the Nisqually Delta from industrialization. Located eight miles northeast of Olympia, Washington, the Nisqually Delta is one of the country’s last unspoiled estuaries.

Author Janine Gates, an Olympia-based journalist and photographer, is best known for her community news blog, Little Hollywood, at www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com. She wrote more than 500 articles between 2009 – 2019. Gates has lived in Olympia for over 40 years.

While several deltas in western Washington succumbed to industrialization in the early 1900s, the Nisqually Delta has survived persistent threats. Gates conducted six years of research and dozens of interviews for the book. Published by Little Hollywood Media, the book features a foreword by former Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans.

“The fight to save the Nisqually Delta was not easy. There have been many attempts to alter it. It’s a national success story, but even today, the Nisqually Delta still needs to be saved from urban and industrial encroachment,” said Gates.

The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge will host an event entitled, “Celebrating Conservation Activism,” featuring Janine Gates on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Refuge.
Gates and Refuge staff will celebrate those who have been part of saving the Nisqually Delta, including those individuals Gates interviewed for her book. The book retails for $22.99 and will be available for purchase at the event as well as through https://savingnisquallydelta.com.

The event is free of charge and open to the public. Cake and refreshments will be served. The Refuge is located at 100 Brown Farm Rd. NE, Olympia.

The book is also available at Orca Books Co-op and Last Word Books in downtown Olympia.

Gates, who will also be at the Nisqually Watershed Festival on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, is available for speaking engagements.