January 12th E-NEWSLETTER

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from all of us at the Wenatchee River Institute! We hope you all made it through Snowmaggedon safely, and maybe even had a little fun in the snow. Thank you to our hard working staff for clearing paths and shoveling lots of snow!

Feeling like going for a walk in the snow? Join WRI for a Snowshoe Stroll (with snowshoes provided). Or check out snowshoes from the library! 

Programs

WRI's After School Program

Along with other youth programs, WRI Education Staff also participated in an After School Program in Wenatchee School District. They visited 3 schools once a week, teaching 2nd-4th grade students about nature and the environment. WRI Education Staff said the students were always so excited to learn, even after a full day of school. They were always greeted with many smiles and exclamations of "what are we going to do today?"

Before the snow fell, Lincoln Elementary students would visit their school's garden and explore what was growing there. They even got to try some kale. The students were so excited to try it and show off their "green teeth"!

Even though the days started to darken, it didn't deter the students from wanting to explore outside! They were excited to try out head lamps to explore and play a scavenger hunt outside.

Place

Welcome Joshua to the WRI Team

Joshua studied psychology and counseling from Pepperdine University and Abilene Christian University. After working as a counselor, he decided to attend the Northwest Outward Bound Educator program and transition his work to experiential and environmental education. He has worked with a number of outdoor education programs in Washington and California that focused on creating opportunities for students to make their own connections to nature and the outdoors. WRI is lucky to have Joshua join the team! He will be leading many of our upcoming Snowshoe Strolls. 

Thank You, Robes!

Unfortunately (for WRI), Robes Parrish, WRI's Board President, will be moving from Leavenworth to Alaska to work for the Forest Service. Robes has been a Board Member since 2017 and Board President since January 2021. He is an asset to this community and we will miss him dearly! Robes has contributed so much to WRI and has been a big part of the growth we've seen in the organization, including a large hand in creating WRI's Endowment for The Future. His steady hand steered us through a year of COVID. We want to thank him for all he has done to help WRI grow, flourish, and accomplish our mission. Thank you for everything, Robes, and best wishes on your new chapter!

Welcome to Laura, new WRI Board President

Please welcome Laura Reichlin, WRI's new Board President! Laura has been a Board Member since October 2019 and has served as Board Vice President since January 2021. Laura has been an asset to WRI with her experience in technology and business, and her passion for connecting people to nature. She is the Board Chair of WRI's Endowment Committee, helping develop, coordinate, and market our successful Endowment Fund. She is excited to inspire action and become a strong, trusted leader for connecting people, communities and the natural world. We look forward to see where Laura takes WRI in 2022! We are in the hands of a capable leader.

ISO: Stove & Refrigerator for ELY House

Unfortunately, the stove and refrigerator in the E. Lorene Young House have gone caput. These items are needed for WRI's on-site caretaker. If you have one you’d like to donate, please contact Randee. Thanks in advance!

Thank you to our donors from the last 2 weeks!