Thank you for your interest in the Port of Olympia’s work to restore Budd Inlet. We have made exciting progress as we explore the best way to clean up contaminated sediments and restore the ecological health of Budd Inlet.

Port Welcomes the New Budd Inlet Project Manager – Jonathon Wolf

We're delighted to welcome Jonathon Wolf as the new Project Manager for Budd Inlet at the Port of Olympia. Jonathon, the former Deputy Director at the Skokomish Indian Tribe's Natural Resources Department, brings extensive experience in environmental restoration. As Deputy Director, Jonathon focused on intertidal and shellfish restoration of the Skokomish Estuary and River.

Jonathon has lived in Olympia since 1989 and has a degree in biology from Western Washington University. As Budd Inlet Project Manager, he oversees the Budd Inlet Cleanup and Restoration Project. His longstanding personal connection to Olympia, expertise, and dedication are invaluable assets for this project.

Students Explore Olympia’s Waterfront

This autumn, over a thousand fifth graders left their classrooms to explore the shores of Olympia's waterfront.

In partnership with the Puget Sound Estuarium, the Port of Olympia hosted a series of educational field trips from September 25 to October 13, offering a hands-on learning experience about the natural wonders of Puget Sound and its estuaries. The students had the opportunity to investigate the various plants and animals that inhabit Budd Inlet, while also learning about the importance of environmental stewardship.

Students learned about the history and how clean-up and restoration of Budd Inlet provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore the environment, improve water quality, address sea level rise, and provide better water access and recreation opportunities for our entire community.

The collaboration provided unforgettable experiences for our local youth, offering hands-on education about the working waterfront. This partnership aims to inspire the next generation to become environmental stewards and appreciate their natural surroundings. More than just a series of field trips, it’s a chance to energize a generation ready to champion waterway health and environmental sustainability. Read the news release.

2023 In Review

This year, we made significant progress toward cleaning up and restoring Budd Inlet. From securing $12 million in funding to reinforcing our commitment through amended agreements and community engagement, we're setting the stage for a revitalized Budd Inlet. Check out our "Year in Review" blog post that encapsulates a year rich with collaborative milestones in the Budd Inlet Cleanup and Restoration project.

Read more on the Budd Inlet Blog.

More information about the project can be found at portolympia.com/buddinlet. For questions, or to request a presentation about Budd Inlet for your community group, please send an email to either inquiries@portolympia.com or jonathonw@portolympia.com.

We’ll be sending additional updates as the project progresses. If you haven’t already, please sign up to receive updates on Budd Inlet Cleanup and Restoration. Thank you!

Port of Olympia Mission

Creating economic opportunities and building community for all of Thurston County through responsible resource use.