A community day at the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport saw the introduction of a Spanish translator in step with presentations and Spanish-language materials as the organization seeks to include more of the community.
The community day, in partnership with Twin Harbors Waterkeepers, was a success for all, said Lee First, co-founder of the group.
“We were really pleased,” First said in a phone interview. “We’ve been trying really hard to connect with the Hispanic community and they really showed up.”
Carlos Osario, who works with the Waterkeepers, was instrumental in translating, First said.
“I think it went really well,” said Brandi Bednarik, executive director of the Historical Seaport. “It was really nice to have a translator. I’m glad we had the opportunity to communicate with that community.”
Other state and local organizations came out, including Sea Mar Community Health, Timberland Regional Library, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the state’s parks department and the Grays Harbor Audubon Society.
“Our intent is to have the space available for everyone,” Bednarik said. “We need to do a better job of communicating, and finding ways to communicate with all of our communities.”
Speakers from each organization presented to the group of dozens of children and adults who came out for the event, as Osario translated and helped interpret questions.
“There’s so much diversity in the Harbor area,” First said. “We want to make sure to include everyone.”
People had good questions, Bednarik said.
“It was just explaining. People had smart questions. I don’t think there’s a lot of shock, you know? People know there’s been sawmills and mills here for a hundred years,” Bednarik said. “I think what’s most surprising to people is what you might have to do to clean it up.”
After the presentations, guests were taken on a guided tour of the historical seaport area while speakers talked about the century-plus history of the mills and the subsequent efforts to clean up the river after the mills all shut their doors. Industry in the region caused long-term damage to the area that the Historical Seaport, Waterkeepers and others are trying to help clean up, First said.
“Waterkeepers work for fishable, drinkable, swimmable water. The things I focus on most are industrial sites that are not in compliance with their stormwater discharge permits,” First said. “We do pretty regular beach cleanups to round up marine debris.”
The Historical Seaport, along with Waterkeepers and other organizations, will hold another community day later in the spring, Bednarik said.
“I think we’re going to do it before Lady leaves,” Bednarik said, in reference to the Lady Washington moored at the seaport. “There was a lot of interest in that. We had a lot of people who hadn’t been here before.”
For more future events from the organizations, check them out on social media or at historicalseaport.org or twinharborswaterkeeper.org.
Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
Carlos Osario of the Twin Harbors Waterkeepers translates presentations into Spanish during a community day at the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport on March 25. (Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World)
Left, Brandi Bednarik, executive director of the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, speaks during a community event on March 25. Right, Carlos Osario of the Twin Harbors Waterkeepers translates presentations into Spanish during the event.
Dozens gathered on March 25 at the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport for a community event.
