November 26th E-Newsletter |
As we wrap up the year, we’re excited to share a full lineup of December programs and some highlights from our youth After School Program. From seasonal events to new opportunities for learning and connection, there’s a lot happening at WRI this month. You’ll also find ways to get involved—like volunteering for holiday parking. We’re grateful for your continued support and look forward to finishing 2025 with a strong, vibrant community.
Financial aid applications for our Cascades Track and Sign Evaluation close December 14, so don’t miss your chance to apply. On June 13-14, 2026, spend two immersive days in the Cascades near Leavenworth learning from professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, educator, and author, David Moskowitz, in a highly interactive, field-based course designed to sharpen your skills in identifying and interpreting animal tracks and signs.
|
|
|
Science on Tap: What Our Emissions Tell Us Tuesday, December 2nd 7:00PM-8:00PM Wenatchee, WA |
Join Marlene Farrell of Sustainable NCW and Steve Maher of Our Valley Our Future as they share findings from the first greenhouse gas inventories for Wenatchee and Chelan County, highlighting local emission sources, the benefits of hydropower and carbon capture, and future reduction strategies.
|
| Holiday Wreath Making Party
Wednesday, December 10th 6:00PM-8:00PM |
Join us for a cozy holiday wreath making workshop. Create your own nature-inspired wreath using foraged materials gathered from WRI’s campus, with bases handmade from ponderosa pine and weeping willow. Registration for this event is required. |
|
|
Red Barn Event: Enchantments: What Comes Next?
Thursday, December 11th 7:00PM-8:00PM |
After a summer of overcrowding in The Enchantments, local experts are exploring new approaches to day use management. Join Seattle Times reporter, Gregory Scruggs, TREAD's Mat Lyons, and Wenatchee Outdoors' Sarah Shaffer for a discussion on lessons learned and potential solutions for sustainable access along the Icicle Creek corridor.
|
| 2025 Leavenworth Christmas Bird Count
Tuesday, December 16th 8:00AM-12:00PM |
Join WRI for the Christmas Bird Count on Tuesday, December 16th! This nationwide community science effort welcomes volunteers of all experience levels to help survey birds within Leavenworth’s 15-mile count circle. Participate for as long as you’d like, learn from fellow birders, and support an important conservation project. RSVP above to get details—participation is free. |
|
|
Winter Snowshoe Strolls
Fridays & Saturdays in January & February 2026 |
Join us this winter for WRI’s Snowshoe Strolls on Fridays and Saturdays throughout January and February! These guided walks are a great way to enjoy fresh air, explore the Wenatchee Valley in winter, and learn more about our local environment. More details and specific dates are coming soon.
If you’re interested in helping lead these outings, we’d love to have you on our volunteer team—sign up for the Snowshoe Stroll volunteer training on December 13th! |
|
|
Our Kindergarten to third grade After School Program has spent the fall exploring creativity and the changing season around campus. Early in the year, students designed cozy habitat spaces for stuffed animals as cooler weather arrived. They gathered fallen leaves for etchings and collages, building connection to the landscape through hands-on art. We were also incredibly fortunate to witness Spring Chinook Salmon swimming upstream—and even encountered a few that had completed their lifecycle along Barn Beach.
If anyone has old games, building tools (like Lincoln Logs), or craft supplies they’d like to pass along, we would greatly appreciate any donations to support our ASP activities! |
|
|
It’s that time of year again—holiday parking is just around the corner! We’re looking for volunteers to help out during the three weekends leading up to Christmas. We’ll need 2 to 3 volunteers each day to help with parking from 1:00–3:00 PM. Roles include waving people in at the top of the hill, directing parking, and collecting donations. Your support makes a big difference every year. Thank you for helping keep this beloved holiday tradition running smoothly! |
|
|
Welcome new Board of Director Members! |
WRI is thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Sall, Kevin Leff, and Paul Myrick to our Board of Directors. Their official terms begin in January, but they’re already diving in—each joined us for our Board Retreat in late October and has begun onboarding with our team.
Kevin, Elizabeth, and Paul bring a wealth of experience, insight, and enthusiasm that will strengthen an already heavy-hitting Board of Directors. We’re excited for the expertise they’ll contribute as we continue advancing WRI’s mission in the year ahead.
Read their bios on our website to learn more about their backgrounds and what they bring to WRI. |
|
|
Shop With Purpose: Support WRI |
Kick off your holiday shopping by Giving the Gift of WRI! Every purchase supports our mission to connect people, communities, and the natural world — and wearing WRI gear is always a great conversation starter.
Enjoy special promotions now through November 30!
|
|
|
Help Refill Our Little Free Seed Library! |
Our Little Free Seed Library/Semillateca is running low! We welcome any leftover or saved seeds—vegetables, fruits, flowers, or native plants—even 5 to 6 years old seeds often still germinate.
If you’ve saved seeds, please label them with species, variety, description, and date saved.
Stay tuned for our community seed swap on National Seed Swap Day, January 31, 2026.
Drop donations at the WRI office as the Library moves indoors for winter. |
|
|
Salmon Hatchlings and Bold Bucks on Campus |
The frosts have arrived—and so have some new friends! A few weeks ago, we received spring Chinook salmon eggs, and they are already hatching into adorable alevin, snuggling together in little cuddle puddles in the gravel of our Red Barn tank. Thanks to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery for giving us these eggs to raise and teach kids about the salmon lifecycle. Come spring, they’ll be released into the Icicle River!
Meanwhile, our campus deer are fueling up for winter. Bucks are sharpening their antlers on trees and are in rut, boldly following females and showing little fear around humans. At least one 4-point buck and one 3-point buck with wonky antlers are even bedding down right in the middle of our lawn. It’s amazing to see these beautiful creatures up close. A friendly reminder: Keep your distance; those antlers can definitely cause some damage! Written by Tiffa Theden, WRI's Land Steward Photos by Angela Crampton, WRI's Outreach Coordinator |
|
|
Thank you to our donors from the past 2 weeks! |
Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining Obertal Inn - Sustaining Dave and Pat Notter - Sustaining Heather and Ole Bore - Sustaining Angela Morris Tracy Brulotte - Sustaining Jackie and Tom Andrewjeski - Sustaining Google in honor of Adam and Ellen Gardner
Tony and Meleah Butruille in honor of Lisa Therrell Robin and Dave Judd Helen and Joseph Breed Dave and Nancy Bartholomew - Sustaining Kurt and Celeste Peterson - Sustaining Kathy and Keith Archibald Lisi Ott - Sustaining Microsoft in honor of Stephanie Ward Lisa and Fred Farin
Lisa and Scott Stroming Earth Gives Annemarie Hasnain |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| |
|
|
