November 1st E-NEWSLETTER

Programs

Red Barn Event: Stories from the North Karakorum Ski Expedition

Tomorrow Thursday, November 2nd

7:00PM-8:00PM

The Karakoram mountain range, also referred to as the "Throne Room of the Mountain Gods," rises to over 20,000ft in Northern Pakistan. Join 2 members of the original 1994 ski traverse, Bill Gaines and Susan Thomas, as they retell their stories and share their breathtaking images from this experience.

Expedition Here

Autumn Ambles

Friday, November 3rd

9:00AM-11:00AM

This Friday will be the last Autumn Amble of the season! Join WRI's naturalists for a beginner-friendly walk through Waterfront Park. Not only will you have a prime view of golden foliage, but also an opportunity to learn about the plants, animals, and humans of Leavenworth.

Amble Here

Birding by the River

Wednesy, November 8th

8:00AM-9:30AM

Go birding with knowledgeable WRI staff around the WRI campus! All birding skills are welcome and we have loaner binoculars available. This is a FREE activity and no registration is needed.

Bird Here

Red Barn Event: Stevens Pass - Season Updates

Thursday, November 9th

7:00PM-8:00PM

What's going on at your local ski area? Find out from Ellen Galbraith, VP and General Manager of Stevens Pass Ski Area. Join us as she updates us on what she learned last season, what's in store for the upcoming year, and an opportunity for Q & A at the end of the night.

Update Here

Naturalist Trivia at Bushel & Bee

Tuesday, November 14th

7:00PM-9:00PM

Test your natural knowledge against WRI's educators! Bushel and Bee Taproom is hosting our first ever Naturalist Trivia. Bring your friends and form teams of 2-6 for a chance to win prizes and absolute bragging rights over other nature nerds in the valley. This event is 21+ and there will be alcohol sales through our host.

Quiz Here

Red Barn Event: The 50 Peaks Project

Thursday, November 30th

7:00PM-8:00PM

We're bringing a new format to the Red Barn! Join WRI and theWashington Native Plant Society for a virtual presentation screening on the 50 Peaks Project, a 5 year study to study vascular plants on 50 Cascade peaks. There will be live interaction and questions after the presentation.

Study Here

The Basics of Pine Needle Basket Making

Saturday, December 2nd

9:00AM-12:00PM

Learn how to make simple and functional baskets out of abundant Ponderosa Pine needles in this class lead by Ivy Spiegel Ostrom and Elley Clarke. The technique learned in this class can be adopted to an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Register for this Pay What You Can class here.

Weave Here

NWAC Avalanche Awareness Class

Thursday, December 7th

7:00PM-8:30PM

Whether you ski, snowshoe, snowboard, or snowmobile, recognition of avalanche danger is an essential and potentially lifesaving skill. This class provides a basic approach to managing risk. Join NWAC instructor, Katie Strahl, for this free introductory class.

Ski Here

Youth Field Days

Transitional Kindergarten - Sensory Scramblers

WRI's educators visited a TK class at Peshastin-Dryden Elementary. Students used their senses on two different scavenger hunts finding elements in nature that matched up to learning materials provided to them.

1st Grade - Nature Detectives

WRI visited four 1st grade classrooms at Peshastin-Dryden Elementary for Field Days! They were Nature Detectives as they searched for and gathered opposites in nature and looked for beanie babies camouflaged in their school yard.

2023 Fall Camp Recap

WRI had an amazing time hanging out with our campers this fall! Campers went exploring, played games, did festive Halloween crafts, and dressed up in costumes for some added fun. WRI is excited to continue our Pay What You Can model so more people have access to community resources and education.

Place

Make a Difference Day - Bringing the Community Together

On a brisk Saturday morning, volunteers came together to make a difference in their community. WRI extends our thanks to all the people who braved the cold to help beautify our E. Lorene Young Community Garden. Eleven volunteers helped install new cedar garden boxes for gardeners to use for years to come.

Thank you to our volunteers: Chris Rader, Jerry Bailie, Sarah Doherty, Claudia Cockerham, Kathy Bailie, Gro Buer, Annette Jouard, Jan Conner, John Taylor, and Jeff Kimbell

Local Plant Highlight #4

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Watch out folks! We’re discussing an invasive plant! Native to central Europe and western Asia, Norway Maple is considered an invasive tree in most of the eastern and northern United States. This tree creates a massive amount of undergrowth-smothering leaves and shades out native tree species. In its native range, it hosts many insect and animal relationships, but in America, very few species interact with it. Thus, we must decide how to relate with this tree. One possibility: plant seeds of native trees (Bigleaf Maple, Douglas Maple, Vine Maple, etc.) adjacent to existing Norway Maples. As native trees grow, we cut down branches of the invasive tree to make room. Then, use the Norway Maple wood for building, crafting, and firewood. In the meantime, make a massive leaf pile to jump in!

Entry by Sean Eriksen, Land Steward

Pumpkin Composting Fest

Don't let that pumpkin rot on your porch! Join Winton MFG for an afternoon of smashing pumpkins to be composted. We'll see you there.

Grizzly Reintroduction Comment Period is Open

National Park Service requests your comments! The NPS and associated organizations propose a DEIS (draft environmental impact statement) restoring Grizzly Bears to the North Cascades. The comment period is open until November 13th. Read the DEIS and submit comments below.

Photo Courtesy of Conservation Northwest

Comment Here

Thank you to our donors from the past two weeks!

Lisi Ott - Sustaining

Deborah Giles and Charles Simrell

Corky and Duane Broaddus

Kurt and Celeste Peterson - Sustaining

Tim and Nancy Ahern

Tara deArietta

Chris Clark

Andy and Jan Dappen

Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining