December 28th E-NEWSLETTER

Wishing you a Happy Holidays from all of us at the Wenatchee River Institute! We are grateful to you, our supporters, for helping us further our mission this year. We look forward to all that 2023 may bring. Check out some programs happening in the new year below.

Programs

Snowshoe Strolls

Thursdays-Saturdays (and select Sundays) in January and February

Begin the year with new discoveries! Join WRI for a Snowshoe Stroll through winter wonderland at either the WRI campus or the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. We will learn about native wildlife and ecology and the history of Leavenworth with many scenic, snowy views along the way.

Snowshoe Here

NWAC Avalanche Awareness Class

Tuesday, January 10th

6:30PM-8:00PM

Whether you ski, snowshoe, snowboard, or snowmobile, recognition of avalanche danger is an essential and potentially lifesaving skill. In this FREE class, NWAC instructors will explain how to access avalanche and mountain weather forecasts and recognize basic signs of avalanche danger.

Build Awareness Here

January Beginner Bird Walk

Wednesday, January 11th

8:30AM-9:30AM

WRI's FREE Beginner Bird Walks happen on the second Wednesday of every month! Join us for as many as you can. You'll walk around the WRI campus with knowledgeable WRI staff. All birding experience levels are welcome. Need binoculars? We have loaners!

Bird Here

Passing the Baton

Saturday, January 21st

4:00PM-5:30PM

Join us for a "passing the baton" open house to welcome Canuche and bid farewell to Carolyn. This will be a great opportunity to meet Canuche, get to know him, and ask questions. It will also be a great time to bid a fond farewell to Carolyn and honor her time and stewardship over the last 4 years. There will be light snacks and drinks available.

Cheers Here

Night Sky Planetarium and Snowshoe Stroll

Thursday, January 26th

5:00PM-7:30PM

Witness the night sky during different seasons throughout the year, learn winter constellations and get to know our sun, moon and stars like never before. You'll enter our planetarium for a realistic view of our night sky before heading out on snowshoes to see the real thing. Spots are very limited!

See Stars Here

An Introduction to Lichens

Tuesday, March 14th

6:00PM-7:30PM

Back by popular demand! In this hands-on workshop, you will create your own lichen ID chart using local specimens. With your chart, you will get better acquainted with lichens and you will learn what to look for when using lichen identification guides. This class will fill quickly, register soon!

Identify Here

Upcoming Red Barn Events in 2023

Red Barn Event:

The Approach 2 with

Ingrid Backstrom

Wednesday, January 4th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Help us welcome back local professional skier, Ingrid Backstrom, for a Red Barn Event! She is back to show her team's new film, The Approach 2: a ski and snowboard film elevating people of color, women, and adaptive athletes. This is an in person only event.

Elevate Athletes Here

Red Barn Event:

The Many Adventures of the Riding Writer

Thursday, January 12th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Join WRI and Link Transit for a Red Barn Event! Danielle Worley is a "Riding Writer" and author. She uses her time in transit to up her weekly word count on her books. Selina Danko will also be joining us to share the myriad of travel options offered by Link Transit.

Transit Here

Red Barn Event: Leavenworth Mill Dam Rehabilitation and Recreation Improvement Project

Wednesday, January 18th

7:00PM-8:00PM

The Chelan County Natural Resource Department has selected the Leavenworth Mill Dam for a development of conceptual design for rehabilitation and recreation improvement. This event will give the opportunity to share the idea with the community and gather feedback to help guide the direction of project development.

Provide Feedback Here

Red Barn Event: Grizzly Grub - Bear Habitat in the North Cascades

Wednesday, January 25th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Join Dr. Bill Gaines, Wildlife Ecologist and Director of the Washington Conservation Science Institute, for a presentation about grizzly bear habitat and recovery. He will talk about their diverse habitat and how the North Cascades could have enough remote areas to support their potential reintroduction and recovery.

Grub Here

Place

Call for Volunteers!

WRI needs one more volunteer on Saturday and Sunday to help with festival parking. All proceeds from parking during the busy Christmas Lighting weekends go to staff members as a generous bonus for their work this year. This is all made possible from volunteers and board members!

The two shifts are:

Saturday, December 31st from 1pm-3:30pm*

Sunday, January 1st from 1pm-3:30pm*

*please note that this time period is likely to be shorter, especially if it is a busy weekend downtown.

If you are interested in supporting this program, you can register to volunteer at the links above, or send Randee an email. Thank you in advance!

It's your last chance!

It's your final chance to contribute to WRI's end of year fundraising campaign and Give NCW. The fundraising campaign ends this Saturday, December 31st. Thanks so much for helping us continue to grow our programs for next year. Every penny helps someone connect and nurture their relationship with nature. We have you to thank for helping further our mission!

Give Here

Thank you to our donors from the last two weeks!

Tiffany Brine-Davies and Bill Davies - Sustaining

Jan and Andy Dappen

Dakota Allen and Meaghan Carey

Kimberly Myers

John and Kim Bledsoe

Mike and Carol Wyant

Donna Waidtlow

Dave and Nancy Bartholomew - Sustaining

Lisi Ott - Sustaining

Jennifer Blake