February 18th E-Newsletter |
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Looking ahead, we are already busy planning some of our most anticipated annual traditions: mark your calendars for the Trashion Show in April (team registration now open) and Bird Fest in May. We’ve also just added a fresh variety of new programs to the March calendar, and for those looking toward the warmer months, we are deep into planning our Summer Camps. You can find all the essential lottery details below to ensure your campers are ready for a season of discovery.
When you aren't out on the trails, we invite you to join us in the Red Barn for engaging events where experts share insights on a variety of fascinating topics. While we encourage you to RSVP, you are always welcome to simply show up and dive into the conversation. Check out the full list of programs and community updates below!
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Winter Wanders Final dates:
Friday, February 20th, Saturday, February 21st, Friday, February 27th, &
Saturday, February 28th |
Last chance! We have traces of snow, so we're pivoting to Winter Wanders. Join us on Fridays and Saturdays throughout 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. The price will be updated to reflect the change in programming. Click the link below for more details. |
| Science on Tap: Pacific Lamprey, Your Ancient Neighbor
Tuesday, March 3rd 7:00PM-8:00PM Wenatchee, WA |
Dive into the fascinating world of lampreys—jawless fish that have survived for over 400 million years! Sophia Troeh and Ann Grote will present on our local Pacific lamprey, their epic life cycle, their cultural significance to Indigenous tribes, and the critical role they play in our local ecosystems. We’ll even have a live lamprey to see up-close! Discover why this incredible fish might just be your new favorite animal. |
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Red Barn Event: Wolf Land Film Screening (in-person ONLY!) Friday, March 6th 7:00PM-8:30PM |
Wolf Land is a film about finding common ground in unlikely places. The team spent 2.5 years documenting the lives of “wolf protecting cowboy” and range rider Daniel Curry and rancher Jerry Francis in the remote wilderness of northeast Washington.
We hope that this hyperlocal film, produced in the Northwest, has themes of coexistence that can touch audiences with a range of perspectives on this issue.
Courtesy Cascade Public Media. |
| Science on Tap: Weather Whiplash
Tuesday, March 10th 7:00PM-8:00PM Wenatchee, WA |
Chelan County went from drought to wildfire to flooding in 2025, seeing extreme variations in temperature, wind, and precipitation that managed to surprise even seasoned meteorologists with its wild weather. Brock Burghardt presents why our region is prone to weather whiplash, what atmospheric patterns drive our extreme swings, and what it means for anyone trying to plan anything outdoors here. |
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Wildlife Tracking: Searching for Nature's Stories Sunday, March 15th 9:00AM-3:00PM |
Join generations of trackers who have learned to tell the stories of our animal neighbors by studying the signs they leave behind. Even when we don't see the critters that move through the landscape, their tracks, scat, scratch marks, and more can tell us what they're doing.
Ages: Second grade and up. Adults without kids welcome too! |
| Red Barn Event: Taking Better Plant Photos
Thursday, March 19th 7:00PM-8:00PM |
Join avid hikers and photographers Jack Mynatt, Tracy Maynard, and Mike Power for an evening dedicated to capturing the beauty of the outdoors. The trio from the Wenatchee Valley chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) will share stunning imagery and practical tips for both iPhone and DSLR photography to help you level up your own nature shots.
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2026 Summer Camps Lottery |
Since we're hosting kiddos for our Mid-Winter Break Camp, it's time to start planning for Summer Camps! For summer camp registration, WRI uses a lottery system. Our hope is that the system will offer more equitable access to WRI Summer Camps and alleviate stress around registration. The Summer Camp schedule is being finalized and will be on the website by the start of the lottery. Summer 2026 Key Dates: - February 25th, 5:00PM – March 4th, 8:30AM: Lottery Window Open
- March 6: Lottery results sent by 5:00PM
- March 13 (8:00am): Deadline to register for spots offered in the lottery
- March 16 (5:30pm): General registration opens for all remaining spots
For all details about the process, follow the link below. The link to the lottery form will be linked on the page below when it is available. Please note that there will be no priority given to those who entered the lottery first. |
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Mid-Winter Camp Session 1 Grades K-3 |
Session 1 of Mid-Winter Break Camp was a fantastic blend of outdoor adventure and creative hands-on projects!
On Thursday, campers trekked to Barn Beach to create illustrated "story maps" of their journey, crafted bear masks for group games, and prepped borax crystal designs. Friday focused on community stewardship with a barnyard cleanup, followed by a flurry of art projects including watercolor birch trees and salt-and-glue Valentines. Both days were rounded out with plenty of free outdoor exploration and energetic group games. |
| Traveling Planetarium Wenatchee School District
Grades 1st & 5th |
WRI's Traveling Planetarium recently welcomed 613 students from Wenatchee School District for immersive learning at Lincoln, Newbery, Sunnyslope, Washington, and Lewis & Clark Elementary Schools.
Students observed how Earth’s orbit dictates the Sun’s position and the changing seasons, all while marveling at the clarity of our new star maps. The 5th-grade classes took the exploration further, "launching" on a guided tour of the solar system to study the unique atmospheric and geological features of our neighboring planets. This collaboration provides Wenatchee’s young learners with a front-row seat to the wonders of the universe. |
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Teachers: Partner with WRI for Your Next Field Trip |
Are you looking to get your students out of the classroom and into the wild for a WRI Field Day? We would love to coordinate with you to provide fun, STEAM-based experiential education that aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and brings your curriculum to life. To explore our diverse program options—from Habitat Detectives and Wild Birds—please visit our website and fill out the Youth Programs inquiry form. Because our programs are scheduled several months in advance, we recommend submitting your inquiry at least three months ahead of your desired date to ensure your class can join us for an unforgettable season of outdoor learning!
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Rails & Ales: Volunteer Opportunity |
Join the WRI staff and help local children discover the magic of winter! We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with the "Snow Play" portion of the Rails & Ales event in Wenatchee on Saturday, March 7th. Your primary role will be helping kids gear up in snowshoes so they can explore a specially designed, short snow path provided by Mission Ridge. Last year was a massive success with 150 children participating—many for the very first time—and we need your help to make this year just as impactful.
The commitment is short and sweet: set-up runs from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the event itself is from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and clean-up will be quick. If you’re ready to help create some wonderful winter memories, please email Virginia to sign up! |
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Seeking a Small Vehicle to Support WRI School Programs |
WRI educators travel to 8 different schools to teach naturalist lessons to over 600 students across NCW, but we’ve hit a bit of a speed bump. While we love our 15-passenger "Otter Force 1" for moving groups, we’ve realized that for many of our daily trips, we need something a little more nimble and efficient.
Do you have a dependable, fuel-efficient, all-weather vehicle you aren't using much? Whether it’s a donation or a discounted sale, your contribution would help our educators get on the road to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. If you have a lead on a reliable "New-to-WRI" car, please reach out to us!
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On Friday, February 13th, the Wenatchee River Institute hosted a "Talk Trash with Us" riverfront cleanup, focusing our collective efforts on restoring the beauty of our local shoreline.
We want to extend a huge thank you to the 9 volunteers who joined us for the day. Together, we worked across the campus and waterfront, successfully filling 20 5-gallons of buckets with trash and debris. The biggest find: a roughly 20-foot braided cable.
While our original plans included wood chipping, we are working to schedule more volunteer days. Sign up to get volunteer opportunities directly to your email.
Spring Cleaning Tip:
It’s the perfect time of year to do some outdoor cleanup! Whether you are walking the road you live on or exploring local trails, plan on bringing gloves and trash bags with you to help keep our community beautiful.
Thank you again to everyone who showed up to talk trash and take action for our environment!
Written by Angela Crampton, Outreach Coordinator |
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A staff member is seeking a rental for two adults and one friendly, well-behaved cat. While they would prefer to stay in Leavenworth, they are also very open to opportunities in Peshastin or Dryden. They are looking for a monthly rent of approximately $2,000 and, while they have some flexibility with their move-in date, they would ideally like to get settled as soon as possible. If you know of any upcoming availability or have a lead, please reach out to Rebecca!
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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 Winton Manufacturing Hillary and Chris Clark - Sustaining Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co.
Mike West Leavenworth Realty Annette Jouard and John Taylor - Sustaining
Chuck and Candace Egner - Sustaining
David Stoller and Diane Patterson - Sustaining Kamuron Gurol - Sustaining Crunch Pak LLC Lisa and Jim Osse - Sustaining
Jill and Joel Martinez - Sustaining Michael Meierotto and Skyler Barnes Washington Native Plant Society
Schocolat
München Haus Dave and Pat Notter - Sustaining
Heather and Ole Bore - Sustaining Tracy Brulotte - Sustaining Jackie and Tom Andrewjeski - Sustaining Riverfront Rock Gym Four Point Taxidermy
Dan Yedinak Hotel Pension Anna Blue Elk Inn Anonymous Donors |
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