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Outdoor Experiences

A photo of attendees snowshoeing at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery with trees in the background.
Outdoor Experiences

International Dark Sky Celebration

Black and purple night sky with stars. There is also a sketch of a telescope drawn in the stars.

Join Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club and Wenatchee River Institute for a Dark Sky Celebration to close out International Dark Sky Week! See the Astronomy Club's website below for information on events all this week!

Can't make it in person? Join us on YouTube at 3:30pm Pacific Time for "Restoring the Night Sky: A Win-Win for Everyone" and at 7:00pm for "Effect of Artificial Light at Night on Juvenile Salmon"!

If you've been to our Red Barn Events, this is like a Red Barn Event Plus- with two fantastic speakers, trivia, family-friendly crafts, and star-gazing! Join us for all or part of the festivities. BYO Snacks. Beer, wine, and sparkling water will be sold throughout the afternoon.

  • 3:30-4:30 - Restoring the Night Sky: A Win-Win-Win for Everyone with Dr. Jim White, Energy Conservation Engineer Principal with Chelan PUD
    • Improving outdoor lighting provides all kinds of benefits to humans and animals alike. Come learn how reducing light pollution can make us safer, healthier, and wealthier while also reconnecting us with the infinite universe that surrounds us. This interactive session will help you determine the best outdoor lighting technology that fits your needs.
  • 4:30-6:30 - Astronomy Trivia and Family-friendly Activities including crafts and mini science projects
  • 7:00-8:00 - Effect of Artificial Light at Night on Juvenile Salmon with Roger Tabor, USFWS Fish Biologist retired
    • The Seattle Metropolitan area is home to over 4 million people and over half of Washington’s population. It also supports several commercially and culturally important populations of salmon. Urbanization in this area can have numerous impacts on salmon and aquatic ecosystems including the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN). Many of the impacts from urbanization have been well studied; however, the impact of ALAN has received little attention until recently. Of particular interest is the impact of ALAN on juvenile salmon and how it may impact their migrations and vulnerability to predation. In this presentation, Roger Tabor (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, retired) will overview past and ongoing research and discuss ongoing efforts to minimize its effects.
  • 8:00-8:30 - Community Science Walk and Survey
  • 8:30-10:00 - Astronomy by the River with telescopes and guided stargazing!

Suggested donation of $5-$10 per attendee. RSVP's are helpful but not required.