Spring Saunters Saturdays until May 10th
10:00AM-12:00PM |
Take a two-hour Spring Saunter with one of our knowledgeable naturalists. Walk with us through Waterfront Park as warm weather returns to the valley. You will learn about the natural and cultural history of Leavenworth with many scenic views along the way! What are plants and animals doing as everything wakes back up after winter? Find your date and register below. |
| Wenatchee Bird Walk
Thursday, May 8th 8:00AM-10:00AM |
Wenatchee birding is back with a brand new schedule! Enjoy a guided bird walk with knowledgeable WRI staff along the Columbia River. Meet near the bathrooms at Walla Walla Point Park for a one mile bird walk at an easygoing pace. This is a free event with no registration. Just show up and get ready to bird! Excited to do more birding? Keep an eye out for more trips through June! |
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Science on Tap with Johnna Eilers and Megan Turnock Thursday, May 8th
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 speakers will teach us all about the wonderful wildlife we see in Chelan and Douglas counties. Johnna and Megan are wildlife biologists with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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| Pre-Bird Fest Trips
May 12th-15th Various Times |
These Pre-Festival Trips are ideal for beginning birders, locals, and anyone coming into town early for the festival. Loaner binoculars will be available for these trips. All Pre-Festival Trips are free! Follow the button below to the Bird Fest webpage where all trips are listed. RSVP deadline is May 9th. Registration requirements for each trip can be accessed by clicking on the trip title. |
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23rd Annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest May 15th-18th |
Don't freak out, but Bird Fest is getting closer by the minute! We are so excited for another year of celebrating the return of Leavenworth's migratory birds. Birders of all levels are encouraged to explore one of our 30+ birding trips, workshops, and other activities. Trips are filling up fast, but there are still many trips with space! Learn more and register below. |
| Bird Fest Community Fair
Saturday, May 17th 10:00AM-3:00PM |
Looking for an easy way to drop by Bird Fest? Grab your friends and family and stop by the Community Fair (previously Family Day). This free vendor fair will feature local businesses, organizations, artists, and live music from Eric Link. Stop by each booth for fun nature related activities for birders of all ages. |
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Birders' BBQ Saturday, May 17th 5:00PM-6:30PM |
Feeling peckish after a long day of birding? Enjoy a dinner with other birders at the Birders' BBQ! Catered by Sweetwood BBQ, there are vegan and meat options available. Your ticket includes dinner and one free drink. Sign up for the BBQ, as well as all other Bird Fest Trips, through the Bird Fest Registration Page linked below. |
| Nature Journaling Workshop Series 4 Weds. starting May 21st
5:00PM-6:30PM |
Discover the joy of Nature Journaling in this 4-part series. You don't have to be an artist or scientist to join, but you'll be a bit more of both by the time you're done. Over 4 classes, we'll explore the creative process of tracking your observations, experiences, and discoveries in nature. Watercolor and art supplies are provided. |
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May and June After School Program Registration is Open! |
We are so excited to continue the After School Program (ASP) for the rest of the 2024/25 school year! Field Educators will meet students at Alpine Lakes Elementary and meander to WRI for a fun afternoon. Pickup is at 5:30PM on the WRI campus.
Registration for May/June ASP is currently open. This program will be Pay What You Can. Currently, our Tuesday/Thursday session still has space. Register your kiddo below. |
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In our second year of programming with Eastmont, 19 classrooms from 6 different schools visited WRI to learn about animals and their habitats. That's over 350 students! Activities ranged from tree scavenger hunts to building habitats for animals. |
| Peshastin-Dryden Elementary |
Kindergarteners from PDE visited WRI and tried their hand at being Nature Explorers. Four classes of students adopted a tree and looked for tree leaves and needles. They also went on a spring scavenger hunt and ended with a fun bug hunt. |
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Orondo Traveling Planetarium |
WRI Educators took the traveling planetarium to schools in the Orondo School District to show 4th-8th graders the wonders of our skies. These educators also spent some extra time exploring the stars with students and their families at a STEAM family night.
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It's a great time to be learning about birds! K-8th grade students visited Icicle Creek Center for the Arts to get a crash course in all things birds. Some of their activities included building bird nests, playing "What's that Bird" identification games, and studied how birds' beaks have adapted to different food sources during "Fill the Bill" activities. |
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Do you want to write this E-Newsletter? WRI is hiring for an Outreach Coordinator! The Outreach Coordinator is a full time position and will be tasked with coordinating WRI’s outreach efforts to communicate the impact of our work to the community. Outreach efforts will increase community knowledge of WRI, increase community engagement in WRI programs, coordinate with the Development Team to help recognize existing donors, and bring in new supporters. The Outreach Coordinator will also recruit and coordinate volunteers. Mason Powers has served for nearly two years as Outreach Coordinator, but they will be starting a new adventure in June.
If you or somebody you know would be interested in applying, follow the button below for more info. Preference will be given to applications submitted by May 19th. |
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To celebrate Earth week, over 200 people gathered on the River Haus Lawn and watched another year of upcycled couture creations strut down the Green Carpet. We had 14 teams compete, with 5 winners.
People's Choice: Toxic Teen modeled by Luci Pedack Adult: When Singles Mingle modeled by Aria Knutson
High School: Denim Again modeled by Lucas Youth: Swag Trash modeled by Jasper Lynn
Families: Kai, the Kool Pineapple Kid modeled by Kai
The magic of Trashion Show hinges on the hard work of our wonderful volunteers. Thank you to this year's volunteers, Claudia Cockerham, Marge and Randy Zerger, Dave Masuda, Heidi Swoboda, Lisi Ott, Mickey and Gabby
Thank you again to our sponsors: Cascade Autocenter, NCW Audubon Society, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, Ludwig's German Restaurant, Leavenworth KOA, Obertal Inn, Rhein Haus, South Restaurants, Leavenworth Outdoor Center, Orion River Rafting, Icicle Brewing Company, Munchen Haus, Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, Syndicate Smith, Winton Manufacturing, Blue Elk Inn, Gustav's Grill and Beer Garden, Wildwater River Guides, and CrunchPak. Additional thanks to our prize sponsors The Bubblery, Rhein Haus, Waste Management, Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, Das Sweet Shoppe, and The Plant Ally. Their support not only makes this event possible, but helps us make it better every year.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the Trashion Show Facebook album to view official photos from volunteer photographer, Dave Masuda. Studio photos of models from Heidi Swoboda will be coming soon! |
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Welcome, After School Program Educators! |
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Lead Educator, Emma Knott |
Emma is originally from Wenatchee and attended California State University East Bay where she earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies. She returned to her hometown with a passion for giving back to her community. Emma is thrilled to step into the world of environmental education and looks forward to helping children connect with nature. Outside of work, Emma enjoys hiking, swimming, crocheting, and spending quality time with her loved ones. |
| ASP Educator, Chloe Andrewjeski |
Chloe has a Bachelors of Business Administration and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 12 years. Chloe especially enjoys hiking and trail running. Her experience in childcare has led her to develop a love for sharing her passion for the outdoors with the next generation. She is excited to bring this passion to WRI's After School Program. |
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Land Steward's Observations |
The carpenter ant swarmers are going wild right now! If you didn't know, in the Spring fertile, winged carpenter ants leave their nests in what is known as a "nuptial swarm". Both male and female ants have wings during mating season, though there are many many more males than females. Their wings really make it easy to see that ants, bees, and wasps (all part of Hymenoptera) are in fact related. Each spring these winged ants start to get frisky while looking for a mate. The female winged ants lose their wings shortly after mating and become queen ants. Queen ants are the only females that produce offspring, and all worker ants are sterile females. Male winged ants die shortly after mating. At least they get the joy of flight before their untimely end! Don't be alarmed when you see winged carpenter ants. While they are large, and like to land on you, they don't have stingers like wasps, even though they look very "wasp-y". They are a harbinger of spring and the awakening landscape and are an important part of this beautiful ecosystem we call home.
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Thank you to our donors from the past 2 weeks! |
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Cascade Autocenter Kurt and Celeste Peterson - Sustaining Molly Hanson Lisi Ott - Sustaining Dave and Nancy Bartholomew - Sustaining Brandi Whitson Geoffrey Ring Gina and Stephen Slaby Melissa Roe - Sustaining |
| Rebecca Lawson Morey
Lynn Dickinson - Sustaining Karen Haire - Sustaining Steve and Betsy Backstrom in honor of Arne Backstrom - Sustaining Gro Buer and Bruce Williams - Sustaining
Deborah Giles and Charles Simrell Laura and Greg Reichlin - Sustaining Christine Emmel - Sustaining |
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