February 20th E-Newsletter

Programs

Science on Tap with Marcy Bartelheimer

TONIGHT, February 20th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Science doesn't need to be intimidating! Join us at Ground Control in Wenatchee for casual and exciting science talks from local speakers. This month's speaker will take us through the wonderful science of cider making. How topical! She'll tell us about the entire process, from apple and yeast selection to fermentation techniques. Whether you're a cider fan or just curious, this presentation will give you a new appreciation for the drink.

Tap in Here

Snowshoe Strolls

Fridays and Saturdays through February 2025

A new year means new seasonal walks! Join us for 3 weekly Snowshoe Strolls around the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery and learn about native ecology along the way. We will lead a stroll on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00AM with an additional afternoon walk on Saturdays at 1:00PM. These gently paced strolls are suitable for snowshoers of all levels. Snowshoes, gaiters, and poles will be provided by WRI. Find and register for your Stroll below.

Stroll Here

Free Community Seed Swap

Tuesday, February 25th

12:00PM-1:30PM&

5:00PM-6:30PM

Whether you're looking to trade seeds or just get some new ones, all gardeners are welcome to join us in the Red Barn for this seed swap! There are 2 sessions so everybody can participate. Come for 10 minutes or set up a station to share your seeds. Members of the Community Garden will be there to share about the space and provide seeds. If you are looking to have your own plot, come down for more information.

Swap Here

Red Barn Event: Cottonwoods - Unlocking Our Rivers' Histories

Thursday, February 27th

7:00PM-8:00PM

This presentation, partnered with the Wenatchee Valley chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society and the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists, is all about the river specialists called cottonwoods. We'll talk about how these trees evolved and what they can tell us about a river's history an diversity. Join us in the Red Barn for a virtual field trip through the rivers of North Central Washington.

Grow Here

Grow Your Own Mushrooms Workshop

Saturday, March 15th

12:00PM-2:00PM

Learn how to grow delicious and nutritious mushrooms in your own home or garden. Instructor, Seth Beu, will bring his years of fungi growing experience to the Red Barn for this workshop. We'll cover fun topics like cloning foraged mushrooms, avoiding contamination, and even make your own mushroom kit to take home. All supplies will be provided with course registration.

Grow Here

A person with blonde hair holding binoculars and smiling at the camera

Science on Tap with Johnna Eilers

Thursday, March 20th

7:00PM-8:00PM

Are you in the mood for more science? Join us at Ground Control in Wenatchee for casual and exciting science talks from local speakers. Next month's speaker, Johnna Eilers, will teach us all about the wonderful wildlife we see in Chelan and Douglas county. Johnna is a wildlife biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Tap in Here (Again)

Youth Programs

A watercolor illustration of a hummingbird with pink flowers

Bird Fest Youth Art Contest

It's that time of year! The 2025 Bird Fest Youth Art Contest is now accepting submissions! Participating students have the chance to win a prize and have their art featured on the 2025 Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest Poster.

To participate you must

Be in grades K-8
Focus on a bird in your art piece (preferably a species found in North Central Washington)
Submit a full color piece

Submission deadline is Sunday, March 9th at 11:59PM

Check out the Bird Fest Youth Art Gallery for inspiration! Follow the link below for submission instructions. If you have any questions, reach out to Michaela.

Submit Here

Summer Camp Timeline

WRI Summer Camps will run from July to mid-August in 2025. We will be using the lottery system for registration again this year. See the timeline below.

2025 Summer Camp Lottery Timeline

February 25-March 4: Lottery open

March 7: Lottery results announced by 5:00PM

March 14, 8:00AM: Camp registration deadline for lottery spots

March 17, 5:30PM: Remaining spots open for general registration

We are happy to announce that Summer Camps will continue to be Pay What You Can in 2025. All camp information can be found at the link below as it becomes available. The full camp schedule will be available once the lottery opens.

More Info Here

Snowy Field Days with Pinnacles Prep

6th graders from Pinnacles Preparatory School visited WRI for a snow science Field Day. They dug snow pits and learned how much water is in snow with snow-water equivalency (SWE) tests. They then learned more about how plants and animals adapt to winter weather on a nature hike along the river. Thank goodness there's more snow for experiments and exploration this year!

Place

A person with a pink hat smiling with a snowy background

Welcome to the WRI Team!

We are very excited to welcome Virginia Shoup (she/her/hers) as WRI's newest Community Programs Educator. Virginia comes to us with a long history in outdoor education and the Girl Scouts. She spent over a decade in Yellowstone National Park as a Park Ranger, tour guide, and environmental educator. In the Girl Scouts, she has worked as a summer camp counselor and as an international Leadership Seminar facilitator, helping develop the confidence and skills of young women around the world. Virginia is a Certified Interpretive Guide, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and a Wilderness First Responder who uses her degree in theater to make the outdoors come alive to students of all ages. After work, look for her on local hiking trails, cross country ski routes, or paddling down the river.