September 2nd E-Newsletter |
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As autumn approaches and the leaves along the river start to turn, energy is building at WRI!
Progress on the Red Barn is moving right along, and we can’t wait to kickstart our fall Red Barn Events this October. In the meantime, our Community Programs are in full swing. Check out the events below to see what’s in the hopper with even more on the horizon! We hope to see you soon.
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Science on Tap: Coroner's Office- Fact or Fiction Tuesday, September 22nd 7:00PM-8:00PM Ground Control, Wenatchee, WA |
Faye Fetters, Chief Deputy Coroner for Chelan County, will bust common myths, walk through the step-by-step investigation process, share what really goes on inside the county morgue, and answer your burning questions during a post-talk Q&A. |
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Wenatchee Bird Walk Thursday, September 24th 10:00AM-11:30AM |
Join the Wenatchee River Institute for a guided bird walk. Join one of our educators to stroll along the Columbia River and look for and learn about local birds. Beginners and families welcome!
We will be meeting at the Walla Walla Point Park playground. Binoculars will be available to borrow during the program. |
If the air quality is at AQI 201 or more, this program will be cancelled. |
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Volunteer Open House Thursday, September 24th 5:00PM-7:00PM |
Meet the WRI team, learn about volunteer opportunities, and enjoy light snacks and drinks.
Join an overview about volunteering at WRI before we split into groups based on your interest area. For anyone interested in Youth Education, please stick around for the training. Let us know you're coming by clicking the link below! |
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| 5th annual Sunset & S'mores Wednesday, September 30th 5:30PM-7:30PM |
Register by September 16th! Celebrate our community as the evening light fades with a delicious catered meal, drinks, family-friendly campus activities! It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow WRI supporters, staff, board members, and students while soaking in the fall crispness. |
Secure Your Seat! Ticket confirmation unlocks priority registration for our Traveling Planetarium. Space is strictly limited, so be sure to claim yours right away! |
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Fall Fungi Field Trip with Puget Sound Mycological Society Saturday, October 17th 8:00AM-4:00PM |
Uncover the fascinating world of local mushrooms on a guided foraging adventure with experts from the Puget Sound Mycological Society! You'll head out into the field to explore local habitats and learn the fundamentals of fungi identification, then return to the Red Barn to analyze your discoveries alongside knowledgeable identifiers. Whether you're curious about mushroom habitats or looking to hone your foraging skills, this hands-on field trip is a great way to deepen your connection to the local ecosystem. Space is limited to 30 participants, so be sure to reserve your spot early!
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| Red Barn Event: Recovering Endangered Plants Thursday, October 22nd 7:00PM-8:00PM |
Join Tara Callaway to learn about local endangered plants and their recovery. Take a closer look at several federally listed plant species found in Central and Eastern WA and what makes each plant special. We'll also have a chance to hear about the hurdles these species are up against, and some of the creative ways people are working together to recover them. Explore exciting new discoveries and developments that are contributing to their recovery.
In partnership with the Wenatchee Valley Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. |
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Pitch a Topic for Science on Tap! |
Do you have a science topic you’re passionate about, fascinating research to share, or a niche biological obsession you could talk about for hours? We are looking for guest speakers and fresh topics for our Science on Tap series!
Science on Tap is a casual, fun community gathering held at Ground Control in Wenatchee on select Tuesdays throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring. It’s a space where community members gather over a beverage to connect, learn something new, and ask questions. Whether your background is in field ecology, technology, geology, wildlife conservation, or a totally unique corner of science, we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need to be a professional academic to present—just someone with passion and a topic to share with an engaged local crowd.
Interested? Email Virginia to start planning! |
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As mid-September approaches, our team is gearing up for a vibrant autumn full of hands-on learning! We’re thrilled to dive back into the new school year with our flagship programs, from outdoor exploration during Field Days to bringing nature straight into local classrooms with our Traveling Naturalist in the Classroom Program.
Want to get involved? We are actively looking for volunteers to support our weekday Field Days! If you love guiding young learners outdoors, consider joining us during school hours. To stay in the loop, make sure to sign up for our dedicated Volunteer Opportunities Newsletter or drop by our Volunteer Open House later this month (details above) to learn more!
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Fall WRI After School Program |
Registration for WRI’s Fall After School Program (Grades K–3) is still open! There are two spaces available in the Tuesday/Thursday session. Enrollment will remain open as families adjust to back-to-school routines, and cost can be pro-rated once the program begins. Register today to secure your child's spot! |
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Our Summer 2026 Field Notes newsletter has arrived! Curious about what’s inside?
We’re still not over how amazing Bird Fest was, plus we’re sharing updates on Blackbird Island Pond, celebrating the results of our Nature Scholars campaign, and highlighting the incredible impact of our youth Field Days! |
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Farewell & Thank you Emma |
We want to extend a huge thank you for everything she has brought to the Wenatchee River Institute!
As our After School Program (ASP) Lead Educator, Emma has been a wonderful presence for local youth—guiding curious minds, building community, and making learning outdoors fun. Her flexibility and commitment extended far beyond the school day; when ASP wasn't in session, she jumped right into powering our school break camps and summer camp programming. On top of her teaching roles, she also stepped up to assist with essential administrative tasks, helping keep our team and programs running smoothly behind the scenes.
Thank you, Emma, for your hard work, dedication, and energy. We can't wait to see where you land next, and we wish you the absolute best of luck on your new adventures! |
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Is your missing jacket or water bottle hiding in our bin? Check out the photo above to see if any of these lost treasures belong to you!
If you spot something familiar, please email the youth education team to arrange a pickup at the River Haus. Any items remaining unclaimed at the end of September will be donated.
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Thank you to our donors from the last 2 weeks! |
Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining Lisi Ott - Sustaining
Tracy Brulotte - Sustaining
Chris Rader Elise and Tyler Bain - Sustaining
Jeremy and Maria Howell - Sustaining Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining Dena and Iak Platis Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining Mall Boyd - Sustaining
Christine Emmel - Sustaining
Melissa Roe - Sustaining
Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining
Orin and Lisa Melvin - Sustaining
Mandy Maxwell and Bill Riedel - Sustaining
Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining Mark Weick and Carole Ann Borshard - Sustaining Lisa and Brian Koblenz - Sustaining |
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