November 3rd E-NEWSLETTER

Programs

Mushroom Madness

Last weekend's Fall Fungi Field Trip with the Puget Sound Mycological Society had over 100 attendants between WRI and PSMS. Over 130 different species of mushrooms were found and collected! It was a successful day of mushroom foraging.

Fall Youth Program Fun

The past two weeks have been busy for the WRI Education Team! Not only did they hold a Fall Camp, they also held two Field Days with Peshastin-Dryden Elementary 2nd graders, and WRI's first Transitional Kindergarten (T-K) programming (also at Peshastin-Dryden Elementary). See some highlights below!

T-K Students were Sensory Scramblers!

Working with T-K students was a first for WRI. Students used their senses on two different scavenger hunts: one where they used fall-colored paint swatches to find similar colors in nature around their school, and another where they had to find similar things in nature that were shown to them in a bandana by using their memory. They also used their hearing senses by being quiet for a couple minutes to notice what sounds they heard around them. Students also got to see bald eagles and osprey! For some students, it was their first time seeing birds of prey!

2nd Grade Students were Habitat Detectives!

Students explored different habitats and looked for different plants and animals that grow there, also learning why they might grow or live there. Students built animals homes, looked at a model of a watershed and learned what their effect on a watershed is, and explored different trees around the WRI Campus. They played Meet a Tree where students observed details of the tree by using their sense of touch and smell all while blindfolded! 

 

Thank you to our two volunteers, Tim Abel and Annette Jouard, for helping make these Field Days possible! 

Fall Camp (K-3) was Spooktacular!

Twenty-five students in grades K-3 joined WRI for a two-day camp last week! They learned about salmon and went on a nature walk in search of any dead ones along the river. They also got to dissect salmon! Students searched for spooky spiders and spiderwebs and made a Halloween-themed nature craft! Students also got to explore the WRI Campus, play lots of games, and explore the changing fall season.

 

Thank you to Marjie Lodwick and Julia Pinnix from the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery for salmon dissection supplies and educating the WRI Education Team on how to bring this activity to our students!

Interested in volunteering for youth programs? Keep your eyes on our calendar for upcoming opportunities!

Place

Welcome Marcela to the WRI Team!

Marcela recently graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Resource Management with an emphasis on Wildlife Conservation. She has been a part of research projects looking at post-fire forests in Washington, forest dynamics, and the effects of ocean dynamics on seabird reproduction. She is thrilled to be a part of WRI where she can continue developing these interests while also connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with nature, as Marcela strives to do her part in bringing more inclusivity and representation to the outdoors and environmental science. Marcela believes that it all starts with having fun outdoors and exploring nature!

Volunteer for Community Programs!

We have some upcoming volunteer opportunities for anyone who may be interested!

• We need a couple volunteers who would like to serve alcoholic beverages at Red Barn Events. If you have a MAST certification and are interested in volunteering, email Randee. If you are not certified and would like to help, WRI may be able to pay for your certification. Please note that Red Barn Events are indoors, only people who are vaccinated for COVID-19 may attend, this also includes volunteers. We still ask that you wear a mask.
• We are looking for volunteers who may be interested in guiding Snowshoe Walks in 2022 at WRI and the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery. If you are interested in leading a group, email Randee.

Reseeded the Front Lawn

Thanks to the help from volunteers, Board Members, and staff on Make a Difference Day, the front lawn is completely reseeded. It may not look pretty now, but we are excited to see it grow and prosper come spring time. They also worked on other campus beautification projects such as mulching and leaf removal. Thank you to all who volunteered!

Thank you to our donors from the last 2 weeks!

Carl and Debbie Florea

Mary Carol Nelson - Sustaining

Teresa Boushay

Tara deArrieta - Sustaining

David Nierman

Kristin and Mark Simpson

Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining

Cindy Luskus and Bill Deters

Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining

Michael and Britta Peterson

Christine Emmel - Sustaining

Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining

Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining

Mark Weick and Carole Ann Borshard - Sustaining