The Jolt News

December 2, 2025

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https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/book-review-saving-the-nisqually-delta,27254

 

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A great many residents of Puget Sound Country know a little something about the Nisqually Delta. A fair number of us enjoy visiting this wonderful place. Some may even recall that it's been threatened at times. But in "Saving the Nisqually Delta", author Janine Gates explores the full history of the delta with both precision and passion. Gates takes the reader through an astonishing succession of plans to alter or develop the delta. Each time, generations of citizen activists rallied in its defense. We learn not only this eventful history, but come to realize that the price of keeping this remarkable landscape intact is eternal vigilance - up to and including the present day. Read the book, then visit the Nisqually Delta with a new appreciation of its lasting value.  

 

- Cleve Pinnix, Lacey, Washington

 

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Your book is a master piece and you have a unique writing style perfect for this book. I could not wait to read the next page. I've been a resident here since 1967 but I admit I failed to pay close

enough attention to all that had gone on in the last 50 years to saving the Delta....You have broadened my knowledge of history as history books

are about the only thing I read. My work now is to share and recommend your book to all of

my friends and acquaintances.

 

- Stephen A Masini

 

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Janine Gates is a gifted journalist who has the ability to focus on important subjects and explain to her readers why they should care.  I’ve seen Janine sitting in the back of the room during seemingly boring city council or county commission meetings quietly taking notes. Not long afterwards, she would use her Little Hollywood blog to explain what had happened in that meeting and why it was important.

 

Janine does the same in her book, Saving the Nisqually Delta. That beautiful piece of real estate many take for granted or simply ignore is actually vital to our environment and the countless little creatures that live there. The delta, now restored to its natural state, would likely not be that way had it not been for the efforts of the many who recognized its importance. Janine does a superb job of reporting on how it all happened and what still needs to be done to make sure the delta is preserved forever. 

 

- Dick Pust, broadcaster and author

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Saving the Nisqually Delta by Janine Gates is a painstakingly researched and well-documented history of the Delta, and the struggle between those that wanted to industrialize the region and those that wanted to preserve its natural beauty and wildlife.  

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This book has brought up a lot of memories I haven’t thought of in years. I was impressed with the level of detail, and I especially liked the summaries at the end of each chapter. Saving the Nisqually Delta should be used for Washington State history classes.”

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- John Hitchman, former Executive Secretary of the Washington State Finance Committee and Director of the Washington State Investment Board. 

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"I have bought 11 copies so far of Janine's book, Saving the Nisqually Delta. The book moves along at a fast clip and touches upon the histories of so many facets of our area.... I particularly like that Janine included the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their encampments near Sequalitchew Creek. She didn't need to do that, but she did. That sums up Janine for me: she's genuinely inclusive and sees how we are all interrelated when it comes to the environment."

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- Barbara Clarkson, former Board of Trustees, South Puget Sound Community College, Lacey, Washington

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“…. Astonishingly well researched, Saving the Nisqually Delta pulls together all the disparate threads of the protracted, knock down drag out fight to preserve the delta, while giving long overdue credit to the many groups and individuals who worked so hard to save it….I learned a lot from reading this inspirational book and now have a much deeper appreciation for the dedication and effort it took, and still takes, to preserve this very special place.​ Margaret Mead’s famous observation about what a small group of committed citizens can accomplish resounds on every page of Saving the Nisqually Delta.”

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- Nancy Partlow, former co-author, Bees, Birds & Butterflies blog, http://olypollinatorsblogspot.com, Tumwater, Washington​
 

More forthcoming!