September 5th E-Newsletter

Programs

Sunset & S'mores - Early Bird Registration Ends Friday!

Wednesday, October 2nd

5:30PM-7:30PM

Last chance to register early for an extra drink ticket! Celebrate the coming of fall at Sunset and S'mores with us. Gather to explore WRI's campus, connect with your community, eat a delicious meal, and experience some bite-sized WRI programming. For the first time ever, this family-friendly friend-raiser will be Pay What You Can. Your ticket comes with dinner from Ravenous Catering and a free drink. Register before Friday, September 6th to get an extra drink ticket!

RSVP Here

Hawk Watching

Saturday, September 7th

8:30AM-2:30PM

It's hard not to be captivated when you see a hawk or raptor soaring through the skies. Come observe these incredible predators as they migrate away from Leavenworth. Birders will embark on a small hike to a ridge where ornithologist, Neil Paprocki and a WRI bird expert will educate participants as they scan the skies for these iconic birds. Register online below.

Soar Here

Birding by the River

Wednesday, September 11th

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: Big River

Thursday, September 12th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Hear from Dave Moskowitz, nationally recognized photographer, wildlife biologist, and tracker at this Red Barn Event. Dave will discuss his new book, Big River, created with writer, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes. He'll share with us the Columbia River’s beauty and the many ways people use it. Join us to learn about the river’s natural history and the challenges it faces, like finding ways to keep it healthy. Pick up a copy of Big River from our partner, A Book for All Seasons at the event.

Connect Here

Stewarding the Land Through Sustainable Gardening

Friday, September 13th

9:00AM-11:00AM

Come on a tour of WRI's many gardens and learn about native plants and noxious weeds. Learn how to create a native plant garden in your own home! This program is part of the Sustainable Living and Farming Tour in partnership with the Waste Loop. This program and others aim to educate, inspire, and motivate people to do good things in their community and connect with the natural world. Register online through Waste Loop. Links found at the button below.

Garden Here

Plant Foraging Workshop: Elderberry

Tuesday, September 24th

6:00PM-7:30PM

Join WRI for a series of instructional evenings where instructors will teach about identification, harvesting, and medicinal uses of various native plants. This month's workshop will focus on Elderberry. Kyra Skaggs of Balsamroot Botanicals will be our instructor this month. These workshops fill up fast so register soon!

Forage Here

Astronomy Along the River

Thursday, October 3rd

7:00PM-9:00PM

Take a journey through space from the banks of the Wenatchee River. A Park Ranger and astro-enthusiasts from the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club will teach us about the best sky objects to view and explore the basics of telescope use. Come prepared for a full night outside in the brisk fall air.

Stargaze Here

Youth Programs

Camp Photos are Online Now!

Looking for some sunshine in your life? Photos from all camp sessions are now posted on Flickr. See if you can spot your kiddo making the most of their summer with WRI.

See the Albums Here

Missing Something? Lost and Found Cleanout

Where is that water bottle your third grader lost in May? What about that hat you left at a Red Barn Event? Maybe it's at WRI's Lost and Found! Please retrieve all lost items from Lost and Found by Monday, September 30th at 4:00PM before they are gone to the world (aka donated). Lost and Found is located in the WRI River Haus at 347 Division St and can be accessed during business hours. Contact Rebecca if you have any questions.

Place

Attention Members! Get Ready to Forage!

As a membership perk, WRI members will receive early access to registration for the popular fungi field trip happening this fall on Saturday, October x. This workshop usually fills up within a few hours! Members will be sent an email next Wednesday, September 11th with a special link for registration. Not a member yet? Sign up by Wednesday, September 11th at noon to become one. Any remaining spots will be available for general registration on Thursday, September 12th at 5pm. Not sure if you're a member? Email Randee with questions.

Become a Member Here

Seeking Nominations - WSU Certified Naturalist Course

We're excited to partner with the Washington State University Extension Office and bring this certification course to our volunteers. The goal of this course is to create knowledgeable volunteers to teach underserved youth about water. We are looking for 10-12 people to complete a combination of online learning, field work, and volunteer hours to become certified Washington Naturalists. For more information on requirements and FAQ, click here. If you or somebody you know is interested, fill out the form linked below by Monday, September 16th to be considered for nomination

Apply Here

New AED at WRI

WRI is excited and grateful to have a new AED in the River Haus thanks to Cascade Medical Foundation! With our AED's in the Red Barn and River Haus, we now have 2 of these live saving devices on campus and are excited to continue programming with this added safety. Thank you Cascade Medical Foundation!

Land Steward's Observations

As we enter the late stages of summer, with its lack of floral diversity, my eyes are drawn to the other colorful, wonderful growths that grace some of our plant neighbors. I'm talking about galls! They are such a weird phenomenon, and I delight in every one I meet. Galls are abnormal growths on plants, somewhat akin to tumors in animals. Usually caused by some type of arthropod, the main ones I see around are typically from wasps, aphids, mites, or midges. Around WRI, I've seen aphid-caused manzanita galls, midge-caused serviceberry galls, and the beautiful spikiness of rose galls made by wasps. Keep an eye out for any weird growths on plants, and get excited about the wild world of galls! You can identify galls by using this helpful website or participate in the upcoming September 2024 Gall Week on iNaturalist!

Entry by Tiffa Theden, Land Steward

Thank you to our donors from the past 2 weeks!

Wild Birds Unlimited

Jeanne and Don Poirier

Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining

Christine Mallon

Natalie Briody

Lesley Stark Tabor

Gustav's Grill and Beer Garden

Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining

Tracy Brulotte - Sustaining

Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining