We Hit Our Goal - Thank You! |
We are humbled by the support shown from our community. Because of YOU, we not only met our end-of-year fundraising goal... but surpassed it! Our goal was to raise $65,000 by December 31st, and... *drum roll*
Together, you helped raise over $85,000 PLUS the $30,000 match from the Icicle Fund! That is over $115,000 going towards connecting people, communities and the natural world. Thank you for answering our call. All of us here at WRI appreciate every single one of you. Your donation means we can continue our work and keep growing in years to come. This also means, our team was "freezin' for a reason" and took on the polar plunge challenge. Help celebrate by watching the video of some of WRI's staff and board plunging into the freezing cold Wenatchee River! Keep an eye out for the video on Instagram or Facebook.
Special thanks to you, our members and supporters; the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, for running the Give NCW campaign, benefitting 85 nonprofits; the Icicle Fund for offering this valuable matching opportunity; and finally, Enchantment Mobile Sauna for lending us their wonderful sauna to warm the brave WRI staff and board member who took on the polar plunge challenge. We look forward to continuing to serve our community in the new year!
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Red Barn Event: Tales From the Saddle TONIGHT, January 8th 7:00PM-8:00PM |
You may know Carolyn Griffin-Bugert from her many years at the head of WRI, but did you know she and her husband, Bob, are tandem bikepackers? Join Bob, Carolyn, and WRI in the Red Barn for an evening of biking tales spanning 45 years. Hear excerpts from their epic adventures and discover how their bike touring evolved, and, weather permitting, see their loaded tandem in person. Eastside Cycleworks will be bringing some loaded bikes as well.
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Snowshoe Strolls Fridays and Saturdays in January - February 2025 |
A new year means new seasonal walks! Join us for 3 weekly Snowshoe Strolls around the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery and learn about native ecology along the way. We will lead a stroll on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00AM with an additional afternoon walk on Saturdays at 1:00PM. These gently paced strolls are suitable for snowshoers of all levels. Snowshoes, gaiters, and poles will be provided by WRI. Find and register for your Stroll below.
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Naturalist Trivia Tuesday, January 14th 7:00PM-9:00PM |
Fancy yourself a naturalist? Prove it! We're getting ready for another installment of Naturalist Trivia at Bushel and Bee Taproom. Bring your friends and form a team up to 6 people to compete against fellow naturalists (and WRI staff) for sweet prizes and bragging rights. Did we mention a portion of the night's sales will support WRI? Trivia starts at 7 but spots fill fast. Arrive early to grab your table. This event is 21+ with a suggested $2 donation per person.
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| Red Barn Event: Good Plants for Good Bugs Thursday, January 8th 7:00PM-8:00PM |
Native plants aren't just nice for the eyes, they're essential for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Learn more about how Washington growers and farmers are collaborating to keep our important pollinators healthy and happy at this Red Barn Event. Our presenter, Angie Orpet from the Xerces Society will enlighten us how creating pollinator habitat supports the growth of important plants.
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Winter Hiking Safety Workshop Tuesday, January 21st 7:00PM-8:30PM |
The snow shouldn't stop you from getting your hike on! Learn how to plan, prepare, and safely get outside for some winter fun in this workshop co-hosted with Washington Trail Association. Be sure to bring your packed winter day bag for an interactive discussion about proper preparedness. We'll even hear from local Search and Rescue volunteers on common hazards and how to avoid them. Register for this free workshop below.
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Science on Tap with Tiffa Theden Thursday, January 23rd 7:00PM-8:00PM
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Science doesn't need to be intimidating! Join us at Ground Control in Wenatchee for casual and exciting science talks from local speakers. This month's speaker is Tiffa Theden, WRI Land Steward and lichenologist. In their presentation, Lichens! They're Not Moss, you'll learn to appreciate these complicated and weird organisms that you see outside everyday.
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NWAC Avalanche Awareness Class Tuesday, January 28th 6:30PM-8:00PM |
Avalanches are one of the biggest hazards we face when we're in the snowy mountains. Join WRI and the Northwest Avalanche Center in the Red Barn for an introduction on managing avalanche risk. This course will cover a basic approach to managing avalanche risk and show you how to check the forecast on the NWAC website. Register for this free class below.
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Red Barn Event: Our Valley, Our Light Pollution Thursday, January 30th
7:00PM-8:00PM |
Did you know that 80% of the world lives under some type of light pollution? This sky glow impacts our communities and the ecosystems we live in. Join Park Ranger and astronomy enthusiast, Paul Thomas, in the Red Barn to learn more about light pollution, what's causing it, and what we can do to minimize our impact. |
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Winter Track and Sign Saturday, February 1st & Sunday, February 2nd 8:00AM-5:00PM |
Join wildlife tracker, author, and educator, David Moskowitz, for two days of interactive track and sign evaluation. Learn to identify animal tracks, interpret signs, and engage in discussions. This course offers field-based instruction and evaluation and the chance to earn an internationally recognized CyberTracker certification. If cost is a barrier for you to participate, please fill out the Financial Aid form on the website. We want everybody to access this
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Lichen Illustrated Glossary Workshop Wednesday, February 5th
5:30PM-7:30PM |
Combine science and art in this workshop! Land Steward, Tiffa Theden, will take us on a journey through lichen anatomy, forms, and other specialized structures used in lichen identification. We'll then illustrate these structures to make a handy glossary to use in our future fungi finding activities. What a way to learn something new! All skill levels welcome. Drawing supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.
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We Need Your Old Coats and Gloves! |
We've all been there. On your way out the door, you grab your lunchbox, water, jacket, and totally forget your gloves. WRI would like for our forgetful students to still participate in outdoor learning and stay warm doing it. If you have any winter jackets and gloves in youth/small adult sizes please consider donating them to WRI.
There will be a donation box at the River Haus at 347 Division St. You can drop off your donations at any time. |
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Día de los Reyes - Another Year of Celebration |
The streets of Leavenworth were filled with singing as a procession of hundreds of people came together to celebrate Día de los Reyes. In it's second year, over 600 people gathered to explore nature, share a meal, watch dance and musical performances, and experience the joy of children receiving their holiday gifts. At a glance, - 200 people visited WRI for fun outside
- 600 guests enjoyed a pozole dinner and watched performances at the Festhalle
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300-400 more attendees experienced ranchera singing, mariachi, and traditional Mexican dancing at the Front Street Gazebo/Kiosko
- 500 bags of candy were given to children of all ages
- 200 gifts were given to children
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100+ community members and 25 businesses, nonprofits, government, and church organizations partnered in the event's planning, funding, and day-of needs
We are so happy to see this celebration of Latinx cultures become an annual staple in Leavenworth and can't wait to see you all next year! To learn more, check out this article from the Leavenworth Echo or explore this photo gallery from the Wenatchee World.
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Land Steward's Observations |
Even though our world is blanketed in snow, signs of winter wildlife can still be found around every corner. There seems to be a raccoon super highway that comes from the E. Lorene Young house, making a circle around the River Haus, then meandering over to the Native Plant garden and down to the river. Those little washer dogs (this is essentially what raccoon's scientific name means) just really need to get their hands clean! The deer apparently love to hang out on the hill behind the Red Barn and use the alley as a thoroughfare. The many birds, from the friendly crows, to the chickadees and juncos, to the 3 species of woodpecker, are so interesting to watch, and seem like the snow is no hindrance to them at all. Seeing all their footprints in the fresh snow is such a joy, and I love thinking about what they were doing and where they were going.
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Thank you to our donors from the past week! |
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Christine and David Morgan Buford and Valla Howell Phil and Carol Miller Robes Parrish and Crissy Hill Lynn Dickson - Sustaining Susan Purvis Adam and Ellen Gardner
Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining Mall Boyd - Sustaining Jen O'Neil
Tracy Brulotte in honor of Ben Brulotte - Sustaining Deborah Giles and Charles Simrell Mt. Om Meditation Sangha Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining Steve and Julie Jacobs Christine Emmel - Sustaining Marcela Todd Zaragoza Susan Hartwell
Harold and Leslie Ann Kutz - Sustaining Judy and Tom Derpack in honor of Bob and Jean Kuhn Bill Davies and Tiffany Brine-Davies - Sustaining Rebecca Benjamin Nancy Young in honor of Anne Mitchell Jill Brennan in honor of Bob Stroup Melissa Roe - Sustaining Jenny and Kenneth Ezpeleta Dana and Theodore Wilson Jean and Russ Speidel Helen and Joseph Breed Phillip Rome
Chuck and Candace Egner - Sustaining Merry and Joseph Roy |
| Jeff and Linda Black Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining Sharon and Greg Lunz Diane Huntsinger-Carson Meche Grace Dusti Mahoney Rachel Ryan Lauren Johnson and Barbara Rossing
Tracy Owen and Jenny Armstrong-Owen John and Kim Bledsoe Anonymous Donors Daniel and Monica O'Neill Karl Halupka and Jaqueline Dawson
Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining Mary Carol Nelson - Sustaining Orin and Lisa Melvin - Sustaining Mandy Maxwell and Bill Riedel - Sustaining
Mark Weick and Carole Ann Borshard - Sustaining Richard and Karen Smith Martha Bean and Ralph Haugerud - Sustaining Ian Palmgren Constance Cogburn and Andrew Day - Sustaining Hillary and Chris Clark - Sustaining John Agnew and Patty Hebert Terri Butler Mary Scheibler Rhona Baron and Kurt Carlson Benchmark Jewelers Annette Jouard and John Taylor - Sustaining |
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Why are my feet always cold? |
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