As we wrap up the final tallies from our end-of-year giving campaign, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us in 2025. Your generosity makes so much of this work possible. We are excited to announce that we have met our goal! More details to come soon, but most importantly, some brave staff and board members will be taking a celebratory polar plunge in the river! Stay tuned for the video coming next week.
We’d also like to share our gratitude to München Haus for hosting a Benevolent Night in support of WRI. Thanks to their partnership and the incredible support of our community, we raised more than $500 toward advancing the WRI mission.
We’re excited to share that the Red Barn and the Outdoor Classroom are set to be stabilized after storm damage for the winter, and we are taking on a permanent repair strategically in the spring/summer to allow for the least interruption of programming. As you look ahead to upcoming programs and gatherings, we kindly ask that everyone planning to attend an event RSVP or register in advance. This helps us provide timely updates and ensure the best possible experience for all.
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"Girl Winter" Film Screening with SheJumps
TOMORROW, January 9th 5:30PM-8:00PM |
Join SheJumps at the Wenatchee River Institute for an inspiring evening celebrating women in winter sports at the Girl Winter Film Screening. The six films highlight stories of perseverance, creativity, and connection to the mountains—told by and about women redefining what it means to thrive in winter. Registration required! Each registration receives one raffle ticket. |
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Science on Tap: Engineering a Mars Rover Tuesday, January 13th 7:00PM-8:00PM Wenatchee, WA |
Curious how a robot survives on a frozen desert millions of miles away? Join us to hear Amanda Gates, a Mechanical Engineer who worked on the nuclear power source for NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover, share stories of daredevil landings, nuclear batteries, and Ingenuity, the tiny helicopter that changed planetary exploration. Learn what Perseverance has been up to on Mars. Event locations is at Ground Control in Wenatchee and 21+ only |
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Red Barn Event: Habitat Gardening Thursday, January 15th 7:00PM-8:00PM |
This event highlights the essential role native plants and insects play in supporting birds, mammals, and healthy ecosystems, and how planting natives can strengthen local landscapes. The talk is led by Ted Alway, founder of Derby Canyon Natives, who combines his passion for native plants and insects. This RBE is in partnership with the Washington Native Plant Society.
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Please RSVP for the streaming link. |
| Snowshoe Strolls Upcoming dates: Friday, January 16th, Saturday, January 17th, Friday, January 23rd, and more! |
Join us this winter for WRI’s Snowshoe Strolls on Fridays and Saturdays throughout January and February at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery! These guided walks are a beginner-friendly and a great way to enjoy fresh air, explore the Icicle Creek in winter, and learn more about the local environment.
For all dates, visit the link below. |
Snowshoes are provided and registration is required. |
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Dine & Donate: A Community Benefit Dinner for WRI with Colchuck's
Tuesday, January 27th 5:00PM-7:00PM |
Enjoy a delicious community dinner made possible by our generous partners: Colchuck’s, US Foods, and Sysco. All ticket sales and donations from the evening will go directly toward WRI’s cleanup and reconstruction efforts following the storm. Come share a meal, connect with neighbors, and help support the recovery of a place that means so much to our community. |
RSVPs are recommended. Suggested donation of $20 per person night of event |
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FREE Community Seed Swap Saturday, January 31st 12-1:30PM and 5-6:30PM |
Celebrate National Seed Swap Day! Stop by the Red Barn during the two times above to swap seeds, pick up free seeds, and get inspired for the growing season ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, all are welcome. Members of WRI’s E. Lorene Young Community Garden and local Master Gardeners will be on hand with seeds, seed-starting containers, and helpful tips to help you plan for spring and learn more about getting a garden plot of your own.
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Save the Date: 2026 Trashion Show Friday, April 24th 5:30PM-7:30PM |
Save the date for the Wenatchee River Institute's 5th Annual Trashion Show! This fashion show will showcase wearable art made from recycled and repurposed materials. If you'd like to be a design team this year, start collecting your trash! Registration for teams will be coming soon.
Come check out the creative pieces built by your neighbors! There will be four design team categories this year: adult, middle and high school youth, elementary youth, and family. Prizes are available for each category, plus a People's Choice Award where audience members will get to vote for their favorite outfit. |
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Mid-Winter Break Camps – February 2026 |
Get ready for our Mid-Winter Break Camp! We’re offering two options this February:
Registration is NOW OPEN! |
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There are still spots open for the Winter After School Program! |
Registration is open for K–3rd grade students for the Monday/Wednesday session, with just one spot left in the Tuesday/Thursday session. If you’re looking for a fun, engaging after-school option this winter, now’s the time to sign up. Visit the ASP page on our website to register. |
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Día de los Reyes Leavenworth
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WRI hosted folks from all over the PNW on Saturday who came together to explore our wintery campus and to celebrate Mexican Culture with us at the Dia de Los Reyes Leavenworth. The event started on our campus with snow play, nature nest building and snowshoe walks. The group danced to Latin rhythms behind the Calenda procession to the Festhalle where the party continued with traditional gifts for children, Ballet Folklorico, Mariachi, tamales and ponche. The last part of the evening was a rainy procession to the Leavenworth Gazebo where pop music by Ray Heker brought the party to a close under the lights. It was a vibrant celebration of community, culture and fellowship in the wintery heart of the Wenatchee Valley.
All this made possible thanks to a generous local donor. Celebración del Día de los Reyes en Leavenworth reúne cultura, comunidad y diversión invernal
El pasado sábado, el Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) reunió a visitantes de todo el noroeste del Pacífico en su campus de Leavenworth para disfrutar de un dia dedicado a la naturaleza invernal y la celebración de cultura mexicana, durante el evento Día de los Reyes Leavenworth.
El dia comenzó en el campus del WRI, donde familias y visitantes participaron en actividades al aire libre: juegos en la nieve, construcción de nidos naturales y caminatas con raquetas. Más tarde, los asistentes bailaron al ritmo de música latina mientras seguían la procesión colorida de la Calenda rumbo a la Festhalle, donde la fiesta continuó con la entrega de regalos tradicionales a los niños, presentaciones de Ballet Folklórico, música de mariachi, tamales y ponche caliente.
La noche culminó con una procesión alegre bajo la lluvia hacia el Gazebo de Leavenworth, donde la música pop de Ray Heker cerró la celebración iluminada por las luces del centro del pueblo.
El evento fue una muestra vibrante de comunidad, cultura y espíritu festivo en pleno corazón del invierno del valle de Wenatchee. |
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Leavenworth Christmas Bird Count Results |
WRI proudly joined the Audubon Christmas Bird Count again this year on December 23rd as part of an international community science effort that helps track bird populations over time. Our group of 5 staff and 4 community members walked a 2.1-mile route and recorded 27 species and 248 birds, with Dark-eyed Juncos topping the list at nearly 100 sightings.
The highlight was spotting a Bald Eagle mid-hunt along the river near Blackbird Island, an unforgettable reminder of how wild our valley still is.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or brand new, the CBC is a powerful and fun way to connect with nature and contribute to conservation.
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The fresh blanket of snow is so magical, turning our beautiful town into a true winter wonderland.
Recently, I encountered an American dipper, a hilarious little aquatic songbird. They do a spicy little bobbing dance as they hop across rocks, then dive straight into the water, swimming around in search of food. If you haven’t heard their song, it’s surprisingly lovely and enchanting, and I feel so lucky to have both seen and heard them. Written by Tiffa Theden, WRI's Land Steward |
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Thank you to our donors from the last 2 weeks! |
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Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining Mark Storer in honor of Suzanne Hartman and Barry Storer Betsy and Dave DeSimone Eric and Heidi Bard Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining
Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining Dave Mell Leavenworth Greenhouse & Nursery Gretchen Daiber Maura Dyer in honor of Nancy Ahern Susan Polizzi Guenna and Loren Curtis Nancy Ahern Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining Mall Boyd - Sustaining Maura and Cody Gillin Peter Speer
Susan Butruille Carl and Debbie Florea Google, Inc in honor of Grete and Ian Porteous Christine Emmel - Sustaining Eddie Escobar Tim and Michelle Hunter
Meg and Mike Borth
Gordon and Linda Congdon Vicki White in honor of Don White
Cathy Wyatt Erin and Josh Meese Melissa Roe - Sustaining
Diane McKenzie
Lisi Ott - Sustaining Bonnie and Craig Dodge
Kathy and Stephen Baker Jill Brennan in honor Bob Stroup
Richard Crampton Crunch Pak |
| John and Kim Bledsoe Gene Irvine Jessica Kocian and Christopher Cox
Tom and Barbara Wysham
Heather and Patrick Murphy in memory of Lisa Therrell
Walleye Cards
Peter Spiegel and Marcy Ostrom Sherry and Bob Doolittle
Steve and Julie Jacobs
Diane Huntsinger-Carson and Hans Weirich
Scott Brower and Lisa Cleveland Nancy Young Richard Beckett and Hristina Popova Cindy Bjorklund Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining
Orin and Lisa Melvin - Sustaining
Mandy Maxwell and Bill Riedel - Sustaining
Mark Weick and Carole Ann Borshard - Sustaining
Lisa and Brian Koblenz - Sustaining
Leah Nagel Lori McConnell and Michael Lawson
Connie Cogburn and Andy Day - Sustaining
Hillary and Chris Clark - Sustaining
Anonymous Donors Bri and Scott Davey
Rhona Baron and Kurt Carlson Sage Mountain Natural Foods Katie Houser and Tucker Jonas
Annette Jouard and John Taylor - Sustaining
Martha Bean and Ralph Haugerud - Sustaining Buford and Valla Howell München Haus |
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