WRI

October 1st E-Newsletter

 
Traveling Naturalist in the Classroom with an educator standing at a projector screen teaching to students at desks.

Traveling Naturalist in the Classroom

We did it! Thanks to our generous community, we met our $30,000 match for the campaign! That means gifts were doubled, which helps us reach over 750 students across North Central Washington this school year.

Your support ensures kids continue learning with joy in the outdoors, and we’re so grateful for your impact. Stay tuned for updates from the field as the program unfolds!

 

Programs

Picture of birders pointing at an Osprey and looking through binoculars

Final Birding Events of the Season

Don’t miss your chance—only two birding events remain this season! See the list below and join us. All events run from 8:00–10:00 AM.

  • Thursday, October 9th | Wenatchee
  • Thursday, October 30th | Leavenworth

Did you know World Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, October 11th? Let's see if we can find some migratory birds!

 

Red Barn Events

Join us in the Red Barn for engaging events where experts in their fields share insights on a variety of fascinating topics. Can’t make it in person? No problem—we live stream to our YouTube all events so you can tune in from anywhere. We encourage you to RSVP, but feel free to simply show up.

Image of Fish War film poster to promote the upcoming Red Barn Event.

Fish War

Thursday, October 9th

6:00PM-8:00PM

Explore the history and legacy of Washington’s Fish Wars in this powerful Red Barn screening, highlighting the struggles of Indigenous tribal fishers and the ongoing fight to protect salmon. Stick around after the film screening for a discussion and Q&A.

View the Film

Due to copyright, this RBE will not be recorded to watch later.

Image of Mission Ridge ski area with snowy landscape

Friends of Mission Ridge

Friday, October 17th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Join Friends of Mission Ridge & Steven Gnam at WRI’s Red Barn on October 17 for a screening of Ridge to River and a community discussion about the proposed luxury resort development near Mission Ridge and its potential ecological and cultural impacts.

Tap Here

The opinions expressed in this presentation are solely those of the presenters and not necessarily those of WRI.

Mark Your Calendar for More Upcoming Red Barn Events

  • Chimpanzees in Cle Elum?! | October 23rd | RSVP
  • Stories from Lake Chelan | November 13th | RSVP
 
Image of graphic with details for the Outdoor Photography Workshop with Linda Lyons and WRI at Icicle Gorge.

Icicle Gorge Photography Workshop

Sunday, October 12th

8:30AM-1:30PM

Learn how to observe your environment like a photographer, compose dynamic shots using natural light, and create a mini nature photo story. You'll walk, explore, shoot, and reflect—all in one immersive outdoor experience. 

 

Transportation is provided from WRI to the trailhead.

Take Photos Here
Image of Cristina Barone standing on a beach with water and mountains in the background.

Science on Tap: The Road to Better Transit

Tuesday, October 21st

7:00PM-8:00PM

Join WRI at Ground Control for Science on Tap, a free, casual evening of science, drinks, and conversation. Cristina Barone of Barone Transit Planning will share insights on what makes transit systems work, from planning decisions to the move toward fare-free service, followed by time for Q&A.

Tap Here

More events are always on the way. Stay in the know with by viewing the events calendar regularly.

Events Calendar
 

Volunteer Events

Image of a bee flying to a yellow flower.

Want to volunteer and get your hands dirty? Join us for upcoming volunteer events on the WRI campus! Help us plant 500 native plants to support bumblebee habitat restoration—a huge thanks to Derby Canyon Natives and the Xerces Society for their generous donation. 

Dates include:

  • Saturday, October 4th
  • Thursday, October 9th
  • Saturday, October 11th
  • Thursday, October 16th

If the smoke level in Leavenworth is over 201 AQI, the event will be cancelled and people who RSVP will be notified.

Take part in Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 25th as we upgrade the garden beds in our Community Garden. These are great opportunities to spend time outdoors and make a meaningful impact on our local environment.

Find a Volunteer Event

Scroll to the bottom of the page linked above to register.

 

Youth Programs

Image of kids playing in a fall leaves pile.

Fall Camp registration is open!

October 23rd & 24th

Give your child the chance to learn, grow, and explore this fall. Over two engaging days at Wenatchee River Institute, campers will build curiosity and confidence while discovering forested habitats, the river’s edge, and open meadows. Through hands-on investigations, creative art projects, and outdoor games, participants will strengthen problem-solving skills, teamwork, and a deeper connection to nature—all while having fun. Space is limited, so reserve your child’s spot today!

Register for Fall Camp
 

Place

Graphic of WRI merchandise with shirts, crew sweatshirt, and a hat.

Introducing WRI Merchandise!

We’re excited to share that WRI now has its very own merchandise shop page! You can now purchase gear featuring the WRI logo and help spread brand awareness throughout our community.

To celebrate the launch of our store, we’re offering 25% off all merchandise through October 6th. It’s the perfect time to show your support and represent WRI wherever you go.

Shop Now
 
Image of woolly aphid on a person's thumb

Land Steward Observations

It’s Fall! Hooray! Happy Autumnal Equinox, everyone. I’m excited for cooler temps, rainy days, and the return of fungi.

One of my favorite fall sightings is the fuzzy white “flies” drifting through the air. Surprise, they’re not flies at all! These are woolly aphids, also known as fairy flies. Their fluffy white “coat” is actually a waxy substance that helps them catch the breeze as they float off to their next plant meal.

Here in North America, one species favors apple and hawthorn trees as host plants, which is very fitting for our area. So next time you’re outside in the wildfire haze, take a second look: is that falling ash, or a tiny fairy fly bringing a little magic to fall?

 

Written by Tiffa Theden, WRI's Land Steward
Photo credit: "Eriosomatinae (Woolly Aphid)" by Plant Image Library

 

Thank you to our donors from the past 2 weeks!

Anonymous Donors

Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining

Deborah Andrews Jacobsen in honor of Ms. Jan Wood

Russ and Cordy Beckstead

Karl Halupka and Jacqueline Dawson

Nelson Miller

Laura Maguire and Shane Sheldon

Lisi Ott - Sustaining

Kerry McKean and Marcela Touskova

Dave and Nancy Bartholomew - Sustaining

Kurt and Celeste Peterson - Sustaining

Katie Tackman

Richard and Karen Smith

Lindsey and Tyler Kellett

Calla and Peter Crowley

Mustache Unicorn Fund

Patrick Ryan in honor of Karen Ryan

Kay Angona Lisch

Sage Mountain Natural Foods

Tracy Brulotte

Taylor Summers

Harold and Leslie Ann Kutz

Nancy Bywater-Johnson

Four Point Taxidermy

Lacy and Patrick Haggerty

Richard Carlson

Rachel Ryan in honor of Taylor, Travis, and Otters

Emily Johnson

Colleen Berry

Karen Jensen in memory of Paul Jensen

Patricia Stagg

Dan-Tam Nguyen

Stephanie Savage

Mark and Judy Oswood

Mike and Cindy Hendricks

Kelly and Mark Hassinger

Monte and Judy Olson

Kimberly Caughey

Mark Terranella and Lucy Petrucelli

Lisa and Scott Stroming

Lightbulb Ji

Monty and Karen Turner

Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining

Susan and Paul Ballinger

Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining

Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining

Mara Merritt and Adam Miller

Tammie and Skip Parkinson

Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining

Mall Boyd - Sustaining

Paul Sozio and Kelsey Howe

Olga and Nathan Cox

Susie Stenkamp

Hannah and David Pick

Mary Ersek and Jerry Schellenberg

Julie England and Bill McGlynn

Pamela Trudeau

Ken Heinle and Kris Cameron

Melanie Thornton

Kari Stiles

Jim and Joan McCord

Lindsey and Matt Melton

Lisa and Fred Farin

Kathy and Chuck Peven

Meche Grace

Lexine Long and Nate Hough-Snee

Christine Emmel - Sustaining

Melissa Roe - Sustaining

Susan Purvis

Michele McKay

Claire Oatey and Cam Deamer-Phillips

Stephen Ettinger

Crunch Pak

Rebecca Ryan

Annette Jouard and John Taylor

Judy and Tom Derpack

Chelsea Trout and Nate Schmidt

Martin Straub and Diane Blake

Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining

Orin and Lisa Melvin - Sustaining

Mandy Maxwell and Bill Riedel - Sustaining

Joe and Bernie Reichlin

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An image from After School Programs of students watching an educator teach about trees with kids standing in a line with arms around shoulders.