Tuesday, February 9th, 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Twisp River Pub
During his short but intense life, Scottish Naturalist David Douglas demonstrated a knack for appearing in places on the brink of extraordinary change. His writings and natural history collections reflect on these situations in ways he never could have imagined and deepen his legacy in the Northwest.
This presentation, with author and historian Jack Nisbet, will explore the circle of British scientists that provided the background data for Darwin's theory of evolution; the tribal and fur trade communities that set the tone for much of modern Inland Northwest culture; and differences between the flora and fauna that Douglas recorded and what we experience today.
The Twisp River Pub will open at 6:00pm for attendees who would like to purchase food or drinks. Nisbet's books will be sold and signed.
The event is free and open to everyone though donations are appreciated. For more information, contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org.
Mondays, February 1st – March 8th (except Tuesday Feb. 16)
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Twisp River Pub (optional dinner at 5:30)
Time has almost run out and so have the spots! Get your seat today in our 6-week Secrets of the Shrub Steppe conservation course. North Central Washington’s shrub steppe ecosystem is teaming ecologically with wildlife and unique plants. It is also a rich part of our history and culture, from Native American and early settlers’ interactions with native plant communities to current uses. This course will reveal hidden facets of our most ubiquitous landscape – from its history and unseen influences to mysterious plant and animal relationships.
See our conservation course webpage for all the details including a complete syllabus and a registration form. Contact Mary by email or at 509-996-2870 if you have any questions.
- Presidents’ Day Weekend “Love this Valley” activities, and
- Nature as the Muse, Landscape as the Canvas Art Auction & Social
One month into 2010, and the Imagine the Methow Campaign is more than 80% of the way to $20 million in public and private pledged funds and the value of donated conservation easements. We’re looking forward to meeting our goal and closing the fundraising phase of the campaign this year!
The final stretch of fundraising is going to be exciting! This is our moment -- and yours -- to leave a lasting legacy for the Methow Valley we all love.
As we prepare for the second (and sure to be snowier) half of winter, here are a couple key events you’ll want to mark on your calendar, whether you are in the Methow or in Seattle.
 February 12th – 15th “Love This Valley” Celebration of Conservation
President’s Day Weekend
Friday – Monday, February 12th – 15th on the MVSTA ski trail system
Look for colorful signs this long weekend on MVSTA’s ski trail system. These wooden signs with school-kids' poems and art will be placed on all the private properties along the trail system that also have Conservation Easements on them. This is a great opportunity to see the impacts of land protection.
MVSTA's Nordic trail system is unique in that more than 160 families voluntarily allow the trail to cross their private land. Of these landowners, 21 have also worked with the Methow Conservancy or another entity to place a permanent conservation easement on their property. These conservation easements total 1,508 permanently protected, but still private, acres.
The art and poems on the signs are the result of a project sponsored by Methow Arts and the Methow Conservancy with the 2009 6th grade students at Methow Valley Elementary. Students worked with local artists Laura Gunnip and Emily Post, and poet Linda Robertson, to explore the meaning of "place” and create block art prints and poems.
Sunday, February 14th, dusk to 8pm in Winthrop or Mazama
Celebrate your love for the Methow Valley with these special (and free) Valentine’s evening events in either Winthrop or Mazama. No RSVPs necessary!
In Winthrop: “Love This Valley” Torch-Lit Ski with chocolate and treats.
If you are in Winthrop, come to the Town Trailhead anytime between dusk and 8pm. We’ll have about 2km of the trail lit for a romantic (or just fun) night ski. We’ll provide chocolate and treats too!
In Mazama: “Love This Valley” Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride with chocolate and treats. If Cupid finds you in Mazama, meet us at the corral parking lot for a free horse-drawn sleigh ride by Early Winters Outfitters.
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Imagine the Methow: Nature as the Muse, Landscape as the Canvas
A Methow Conservancy Art Auction & Social!
Show Opens: Friday, February 5th, 6-8pm at Johnston Architects in Fremont (100 NE Northlake Way, Suite 200, Seattle 98105)
Art Auction & Social Event: Wednesday, February 24th, 7pm at Johnston Architects in Fremont (100 NE Northlake Way, Suite 200, Seattle 98105)
Attend the auction & social on February 24th and enter a FREE drawing
for a chance to win two nights lodging at the Methow Valley Inn and a
framed Methow Valley photograph by Mountain Kind Photography!
Celebrate the Methow Valley with the Methow Conservancy’s first-ever art auction and social. Imagine the Methow: Nature as the Muse, Landscape as the  Canvas, is a mixed-media show inspired by protected land in the Methow Valley. Over the last six months, a variety of acclaimed Methow Valley artists have spent time on Methow Conservancy conservation easements in order to let the landscape inspire their one-of-kind pieces. The show will open at 6pm on February 5th at Johnston Architects in Seattle, as part of the Fremont First Friday Artwalk. The works will be on display through the auction on February 24th.
On Wednesday, February 24th, come out to celebrate the Methow Valley. Enjoy Cinnamon Twisp Desserts, drinks, music by Eli West & Cahalen Morrison, and mingling with others who love the Methow. The event is free and open to all (bring a friend!). Nine pieces of original artwork-–blown glass, pottery, paintings, sculpture and more – will be auctioned as well as a variety of unique Methow Valley experiences paired with Methow artwork. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Imagine the Methow Campaign.
The Auction will Feature:
Original Art Created on Protected Lands
Glasswork by Alison Ciancibelli & Jeremy Newman * Pastel by Laurie Fry * Jewelry by Nancy Daniels Hubert * Pottery by Suzi Jennings * Wood Carving by Bruce Morrison * Oil Painting by Rita Pampanin * Oil Painting by Mary Powell * Oil Painting by Jill Sabella * Innovation by Steve Ward
Methow Experiences Paired with Artwork
 Heli-Skiing with Paul Butler & Photograph by E.A. Weymuller * Fly Fishing Lesson with Kevin van Bueren & Photograph by Denny O’Callaghan * Custom Portrait of You & Your Friends/Family in the Methow by Cathy Handfelt * Cross-Country Ski Lesson with Midge Cross & Print by Sean McCabe * The Art of Bee Keeping with Dave Sabold & Watercolor by Marilyn Sabold * Gourmet Dinner by Char Alkire & Photograph by Dennis Kirkland * Tracking Class with Gabe Spence & Blockprints by Methow Valley Elementary students * Three-Night Stay at A Bend in the River Lodge
Want to preview the art and experiences? Can’t make it to Seattle, but think you might like to bid? Visit our special auction website, www.imaginethemethow.org/auction, after February 5th where we’ll have all the details, including pictures of the art, specifics on the experiences, and directions for submitting a proxy bid.
Click here for a one page summary/invitation to the event. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP to the February 24th event, contact us at info@methowconservancy.org or 509-996-2870.
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Take part in the beauty and wonder of winter before it’s over! Here are two great opportunities to get outside with naturalists and learn something new about this place that you love.
"Conservation & Trails" Guided Ski Tour
Friday, February 19th, 1 - 3pm
 Take part in a free, guided “Conservation and Trails” Ski Tour with the Methow Conservancy on the MVSTA trail system at Arrowleaf, and learn about the unique pairing of protected private land and trails in this area that was once slated for ski and golf resort development. See the winter landscape that benefits fish and wildlife in this area of rich habitat, protected land and fantastic ski trails.
On this tour with Methow Conservancy Stewardship Director (and all-around great naturalist), Steve Bondi, you will tour through meadows, forests, and riparian woodlands at Arrowleaf, learn about winter ecology, wildlife and tracks, and hear how conservation easements permanently protect these habitats and open spaces.
Meet at the North Cascades Lodge trailhead on Lost River Road by or before 1:00pm with enough clothing and gear to handle two hours of skiing and talking. A MVSTA trail pass is required but no registration is needed. For more information, contact the Methow Conservancy at 996-2870.
"Ecology of Winter" Field Class
Saturday, February 20th from 10am - 2pm
 There is plenty for naturalists to enjoy afield in winter. On this 4-hour outing with instructor Dana Visalli, practice your winter plant identification skills, follow animal tracks to decipher what kind of mission they were on, and observe the behavior of the winter birds we encounter. The class will explore the remarkable adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive the ‘energy bottleneck’ of winter….all the while watching for the first signs of spring! This fieldtrip will be conducted on skis (preferred) or snowshoes, and is limited to 15 people. Bring your own lunch. Cost is $15/person and registration is required. Contact Mary at the Methow Conservancy at 996-2870 to sign up or for more info.
Thank you to everyone who has responded to our annual membership appeal! If you haven’t had a chance to return your membership form yet, there’s still time. March 31st is our deadline to be included in the 2009-2010 annual report of donors. Here’s the list of people who became new members over the last month (January 1st to January 26th). Thank you to them and all of you who support our work!
Sprague Ackley, Kirsti Bettis, Carol Geertsema, Rita Jensen, Sandra Mathisen, Judith Marcus & Rick McKenney, and Dennis Rea.
Below, you'll find announcements about events or publications (ours and those of other organizations) that we think you might find interesting.
 February 1st: 2010 Methow Conservation Course starts (meets on Monday evenings through March 8th). The 6-week course will explore the secrets of the shrub steppe landscape, revealing hidden facets of our most ubiquitous landscape – from its history and unseen influences to mysterious plant and animal relationships. Click here for more details!
February 5th: Imagine the Methow: Nature as the Muse, Landscape as the Canvas mixed-media show opens at Johnston Architects, 6 – 8pm. The show will open as part of the Fremont First Friday Artwalk. The works will be on display through February 24th when we will host a live auction and social. Johnston Architects is in Fremont at 100 NE Northlake Way, Suite 200, Seattle 98105. See above for more details. 
February 9th: “1st Tuesday” Program (on the 2nd Tuesday): The Worlds of David Douglas with Jack Nisbet, 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Twisp River Pub. See above for more details.
February 13th, 14th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 27th: Nature of Winter Snowshoe Tours. The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) hosts snowshoe tours throughout the winter. Local naturalists lead the tours which are about winter ecology, wildlife and tracks, snow and more. These family-friendly tours leave from Mazama and Sun Mountain Lodge at 11:00 a.m. on the scheduled dates. MVSTA trail passes or a MVSTA snowshoe trail pass ($5) is required for each person. Reservations are not required; space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis (up to 20). For additional information, visit www.mvsta.com/winter/snowshoe.html or call MVSTA at 509-996-3287.
 February 14th: “Love This Valley” Torch-Light Ski, dusk to 8pm. Celebrate your love for the Methow Valley with chocolate, hot drinks and a gorgeous evening ski along the Methow River. Skiing starts from the town trailhead out the community trail 2k and back. Free.
February 14th: “Love This Valley” Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride, dusk to 8pm. Celebrate your love for the Methow Valley with chocolate, hot drinks and a cozy horse-drawn sleigh ride with Early Winters Outfitters. Meet at the Mazama corral parking lot. Free.
February 19th: "Conservation & Trails" Guided Ski Tour, 1-3pm, free
Join the Methow Conservancy on the MVSTA trail system at Arrowleaf and learn about the unique pairing of protected private land and trails in this area that was once slated for ski and golf resort development. See above for more details.
 February 20th: "Ecology of Winter" Field Class, 10am - 2pm, $15There is plenty for naturalists to enjoy afield in winter! On this 4-hour outing with instructor Dana Visalli we will practice our winter plant identification skills, follow animal tracks to decipher what kind of mission they were on, and observe the behavior of the winter birds we encounter. Registration necessary. See above for more details.
February 20th: Methow Wilderness School “Cougar Tracking Class,” 9am – 3pm. Join expert wildlife tracker, Gabe Spence, for a day of tracking and trailing cougars in the snow. Learn how these elusive predators deal with the challenges of winter, and the basics of identifying common cougar sign, such as scats, tracks, and kill sites, as well as indicators of gender, age and size. $60/per person. This is not a Methow Conservancy class; please register at 509-997-7169 or www.MethowWildernessSchool.com.
February 21st: The Weekender Effect, 7pm at the Twisp River Pub. The Methow Valley Citizens Council presents a lecture and discussion by author Bob Sandford. Bob’s work has increasingly focused on Community in the Mountain West, and the issues of food, water and climate change. A $5 donation is requested..
February 24th: Imagine the Methow: Nature as the Muse, Landscape as the Canvas art auction and social at Johnston Architects, 7pm. Come out to celebrate the Methow Valley, and enjoy  Cinnamon Twisp Desserts, drinks, music by Eli West & Cahalen Morrison, mingling with others who love the Methow, and an amazing array of Methow Valley art and experiences. The event is free and open to all. Nine pieces of original artwork-–blown glass, pottery, paintings, sculpture and more – will be auctioned as well as a variety of unique Methow Valley experiences paired with Methow artwork. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Imagine the Methow Campaign. Johnston Architects is in Fremont at 100 NE Northlake Way, Suite 200, Seattle 98105. See above for more details.
March 2nd: 1st Tuesday program: The Wild World of Frogs, with amphibian expert Dr. Kerry Kriger, 7 – 8:30pm at the Twisp River Pub. Dr. Kriger is the Founder and Executive Director of Save the Frogs!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to amphibian conservation. Dr. Kriger is coming to the Methow Valley from Virginia for Methow Valley public school programs and this 1st Tuesday lecture with the help of the Public School Funding Alliance.
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