February 4th E-Newsletter |
|
|
Our calendar is packed with Winter Wanders this month, our pivot from Snowshoe Strolls due to lack of snow. Looking ahead, we are already planning some big events you won’t want to miss, including the Trashion Show in April and Bird Fest in May. We’ve also added a variety of new programs to the March calendar. Check out more programs and updates below!
|
|
|
Winter Wanders Upcoming dates:
Friday, February 6th, Saturday, February 7th, Friday, February 13th,
and more! |
We have no snow! 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. |
| Chips & Cleanup: WRI Work Day Friday, February 13th 9AM-11AM or 11AM-1PM |
The December storm gave it its best shot, but now it’s our turn to continue the job! One good outcome to the lack of snow, is we're able to continue this work. We’re turning storm debris into wood chips and giving our riverfront trails the spa day they deserve. Come hang out, get your hands a little dirty, and help us reclaim the campus! |
|
|
Fire Reverie Tuesday, February 17th 5:00PM-10:00PM |
This will be an evening to celebrate fire where we will bring warmth and light to the night. We will have firepits set up to gather around fire, a mobile sauna, and fire dancers to enjoy after a cold plunge, food, stories, music, a drum circle and your community's company.
Please bring a chair to relax and listen to the poetry and music. We also encourage you to bring quick easy food to cook over the fire. |
| 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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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! |
| Cascades Track and Sign Evaluation with David Moskowitz Saturday, June 13th & Sunday, June 14th 8:00AM-5:00PM |
Spend two full days in the Cascades around Leavenworth, with professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, educator and author, David Moskowitz. This wildlife track and sign evaluation is offered through CyberTracker North America.
|
|
|
Trashion Show: Registration is OPEN Friday, April 24th 5:30PM-7:30PM |
Get ready to turn "trash" into high fashion! Registration for our annual Trashion Show is officially open now through April 9th (or until spots fill up). We are looking for creative teams of individuals to six people to compete in our Adult, Youth (K-12), and Family categories. Whether you’re a student artist, a DIY enthusiast, or a family of eco-warriors, this is your chance to showcase upcycled designs on the runway for a chance to win a category title or the coveted People’s Choice award. Please note that team entry is "Pay What You Can"—your contributions help us keep the show running, but they are not required to participate.
|
|
|
Mid-Winter Break Camps – February 2026 |
Keep your kids active and inspired this February at our Mid-Winter Break Camps! While our two-day Session 1 is now officially full, you can still join the fun with our Four-Day Camp running from Tuesday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 20. Registration is STILL OPEN, but with our other sessions already at capacity, these remaining spots will go fast. Don’t miss out—secure your camper’s place today! |
|
|
Our Winter After School Program (ASP) has launched a new monthly tradition: visiting the local library. We extend a huge thanks to Librarian Hannah for welcoming us into this community space and organizing engaging activities for the students. For those interested in joining the fun, limited spots are still available for the Monday/Wednesday session of the WRI After School Program. |
|
|
Earth Explorers Alpine Lakes
5th Grade |
On January 26–27, four Alpine Lakes 5th-grade classes joined the Earth Explorers program for their second seasonal rotation. Adapting to a lack of snow, students conducted an ecosystem inventory to document how the December storm impacted Earth’s spheres through erosion and debris. They also engaged in a stakeholder discussion regarding the local snowpack’s vital role in water usage. The visit concluded with a premiere of the updated Planetarium, where students explored the Sun-Earth relationship and observed the stars.
|
|
Winter Field Day New Life Christian School 4th Grade |
In their third consecutive year visiting from Ephrata, fifteen 4th graders from New Life Christian School joined us for a Winter Field Day. The students explored local trails to study winter adaptations, specifically engaging in activities centered on the three survival strategies: hibernating, tolerating, and migrating. To wrap up the day, the group took full advantage of the remaining trail ice by practicing their best "otter slides." |
|
|
2026 Bird Fest Youth Art Contest NOW OPEN! |
It's that time of year! The 2026 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 2026 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 8th at 11:59PM
Check out the Bird Fest Youth Art Gallery for inspiration! Follow the link below for more details and submission instructions. If you have any questions, email Michaela.
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
Business Sponsorships: Spread the Word! |
If you believe in the power of connecting our youth and community to the beauty of North Central Washington, please help us spread the word! Whether it’s sharing our 2026 Sponsorship Program with a business owner you know or tagging a local leader who is passionate about outdoor education, your voice helps us reach the partners who make our "Pay What You Can" Summer Camps and events like Bird Fest possible. Every connection you facilitate ensures that the natural world remains a classroom for everyone, regardless of their background—thank you for being an advocate for WRI and the future of our local environment!
Have any questions? Please reach out to Randee. |
|
|
Community Benefit Dinner Results & Shout Out |
Last week was our Community Benefit Dinner at Colchuck's in Leavenworth! Over 80 supporters came out to enjoy a meal, be in community, and support WRI's work. A beautiful meal was created by Colchuck's, with ingredients donated from US Foods and Sysco, and offered meals by donation to support WRI's storm repair and clean-up efforts following the December storm. Together, our community raised $2,280! Please help us thank Colchuck's for their efforts, time, and generosity by checking out their restaurant and enjoy some delicious food! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend.
|
|
|
My coworkers, Fern and Emma, recently spotted a deceased kestrel while picking up kids for WRI's After School Program. I found the small falcon—often called a "sparrow hawk"—near a school walkway, likely the victim of a window strike.
While tragic, it’s a vital reminder of why we prioritize bird-safe glass at WRI. To prevent these collisions, we use a UV liquid marker that creates a grid visible only to birds. It’s an easy, low-profile solution that looks like simple water spots to us but saves lives for them. You can find the UV Liquid here; just reapply every 6–12 months after cleaning your windows!
Written by Tiffa Theden, WRI's Land Steward |
|
|
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 Anonymous Donors Crunch Pak LLC Kroger Jack Mynatt Jeremy and Maria Howell - Sustaining
Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining Karen and Curt Haire - Sustaining Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining Mall Boyd - Sustaining Christine Emmel - Sustaining Kathy McKenna Leavenworth Coffee Roasters Melissa Roe - Sustaining Diane and Herb Young - Sustaining Orin and Lisa Melvin - Sustaining
Mandy Maxwell and Bill Riedel - Sustaining Mark Weick and Carole Ann Borshard - Sustaining Lisa and Brian Koblenz - Sustaining Obertal Inn - Sustaining North Cascades Heating and Air Conditioning A Book For All Seasons Connie Cogburn and Andy Day Christopher Weber Microsoft Google New Relic Lexine Long and Nate Hough-Snee - Sustaining |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| |
|
|
