“1st Tuesday” Program - “New Land--North of the Columbia”
Tuesday, March 6th, 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Twisp River Pub
Lorraine McConaghy, author and historian with Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, will give an illustrated historical travelogue of the history of Washington Territory and State, using her new book as its basis.  The research for New Land involved more than a year of travel throughout Washington State, from Walla Walla to Bellingham, Kelso to Newport, resulting in a documentary history of the place we call “Washington,” from 1853 to the present day.  Drawing from archival material ranging from maps, correspondence and public records to patent drawings, menus and paper dolls, this presentation is highly visual and deeply engaging.  Books will be sold by the Trail's End Bookstore and signed by the author.

DINNER NOTE:  The Twisp River Pub has a new dinner option. For those who would like to eat, a buffet of several dinner options will be available (instead of ordering from the menu). Simply pay $10 per person. Small meals such as soup or salad will be available for the standard menu price. The full bar will also be open.  The pub opens at 6pm.

LODGING NOTE: The Methow Valley Inn, just three blocks from the Twisp River Pub, is offering 50% off rooms on the night of any "First Tuesday" program now through the first Tuesday in May.

Our 92nd Conservation Easement protects riparian habitat.

This easement is our 92nd easement, and altogether you’ve helped us protect over 7,350 acres of land and over 26 miles of salmon-bearing rivers and streams in the Methow Valley.  Thank you for all that you do!

It’s MARCH MATCHNESS at the Methow Conservancy!
March 31st marks the final buzzer on our fiscal year.  We’ve got a $10,000 Challenge Grant on the line and we need your help to secure a win for conservation in the Methow Valley.

Donations made to the Methow Conservancy Annual Operating Fund will be matched dollar for dollar between now and March 31st (up to $10,000 total) by long-time supporters Sonya and Tom Campion.

We’re recruiting all supporters who have not yet renewed their membership this fiscal year (April 1, 2011 thru today) as well as any new members to help us meet our March Matchness Challenge.  If you’ve already renewed – thank you – and feel free to share this opportunity with anyone else you know who loves the Methow Valley (click here for a PDF flyer you can email around and share!).

We’re offering three easy options for driving to the donation basket:

Thank you!  More than 70% of our operating budget comes from the generous support of individuals and businesses who share our belief in the importance of inspiring people to care for and conserve the land of the Methow Valley.  Conservation is a team sport and we tally conservation victories when we work together!

Conservation Course “Cliff Notes”
Our 8th annual Methow Conservation Course on the “Ecological History of the Methow Valley” started Monday, January 30th and runs through March 12th.  In an attempt to share information from the course we are posting detailed notes and images from each class on our blog website.  Also, the course syllabus and some of the reading materials from the course are posted at the 2012 Conservation Course webpage.

New Member & New Landowner Welcome Wagon in Seattle
March 15th, 5 to 7pm, at the Lost River Winery Tasting Room
We’re hitching up our Methow Valley Welcome Wagon & coming to Seattle!  If you are a new member of the Methow Conservancy (joined for the first time in the last 12 months) or if you have recently joined the Methow Valley community, we want to meet you and say Welcome!

We hope you will join us on Thursday, March 15th from 5 to 7pm (drop in any time) at the Lost River Winery’s Seattle tasting room (2003 Western Ave., Suite 100, near Pike Place Market).  We’ll share our favorite spring hikes and special insider tips and you can meet others who know and love the Methow!

If you are a loyal, long-time member, think of someone you know who is new to Methow Valley and our efforts to conserve this special place and encourage them to come meet us on the 15th! 

For questions or more info, please email our Associate Director, Sarah Brooks.

10th Annual Susie Stephens Memorial Bike Ride
Wednesday, March 21st, 11:00am
Get into the swing of spring by joining us for a casual bike ride to celebrate the inspiring life of our friend Susie Stephens.  We'll meet at the Winthrop Park at 11:00 a.m., break up into a couple different groups depending on ability and time, and head out for a ride. We'll meet back in the park after the ride for lunch.

Susie was the Development Director at the Conservancy from 2000 - 2002. In March 2002 she was tragically hit and killed by a bus in St. Louis. Susie was an avid cyclist, and a passionate advocate of bicycles for transportation, travel and recreation, as well as for bicycle and pedestrian safety.  We honor her and her work every year with this ride and invite others to join us.

Please join us for Susie’s fun and informal annual memorial on March 21st, the first official day of spring!  Bring your own bike and helmet and a sack lunch.  RSVPs are not necessary but feel free to call us at 996-2870 if you’d like.

Earth Day Clean-Up
The Methow Conservancy is now a proud participant in Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT’s) Adopt-a-Highway program.  Members of the Methow Conservancy’s Education Committee are spearheading this volunteer effort, which will involve picking up litter on a two-mile stretch of State Route 20 - milepost 197 to 199 - between Twisp and Winthrop.  Soon, the WSDOT will post at both ends of the two-mile stretch a metal Adopt-a-Highway sign with the text “Methow Conservancy Volunteers. “ 

Volunteers will pick up roadside litter several times a year, dividing the stretch into one-half mile segments.  The more people that are involved the easier it will be to make a big difference in the maintenance of this already-picturesque stretch of Methow Valley highway, and hopefully everyone who drives that frequently traveled section of highway will appreciate the tidier roadside.

WSDOT places the highest priority on safety, providing tips and a safety video for Adopt-a-Highway volunteers on its website.  The agency also provides orange vests, hard hats, traffic signs and flashing lights for use while the crew is working along the road.  According to the WSDOT website, Washington's Adopt-a-Highway program started in 1990. Today, there are some 1,100 active volunteer groups around the state collectively giving nearly 20,000 hours per year to keep our highways looking good.

To volunteer for the Methow Conservancy’s Adopt-a-highway litter crew, please email Laurelle Walsh or call the Conservancy at 996-2870.

New Members
Here’s the list of people who became new members from January 24 through February 27th: Craig Bartholomew, and Deborah & Serge Lindner (in honor of Rayma and John Hayes).  Thank you for becoming members and supporting our efforts!

News from other Organizations

Okanogan County and TwispWorks are offering “Breaking Ground,” an agritourism classled by WSU Agricultural Professor and Okanogan County WSU Extension Director, Curtis Beus, on March 10th at TwispWorks from 8:30 to 5:30.

Sponsored by Okanogan County, the seminar teaches Methow area farmers, ranchers, tourist-based businesses and community leaders how to develop agricultural tourism to diversify and increase income. 

The seminar has three sustainable economy purposes: 1) sustainable and responsible land use,
2) increased income to existing tourism economy and
3) increased income for existing agricultural economy.

The day-long seminar is free.  To reserve your seat, contact Georgina Tobiska at 509-429-9784 or Curtis Beus, Ph.D. at 509-422-7247.

The Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group presents "The History of Fish & Fishing in the Columbia Basin" with author Dennis Dauble, on Thursday, March 15th at 6:30pm at the Twisp Grange. This presentation provides background on the historical fishing practices of our area’s American Indian tribes, shows the influence of white settlement on fish populations, and discusses how modern-day water-use practices lead to conflicts between resource management policy and public values. Selected readings from historical literature such as the journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Railroad Surveys will enliven the history of fish and fishing in the Pacific Northwest. Dennis Dauble has studied the fishes of the Columbia and Snake Rivers for more than 30 years and currently teaches a course in fish ecology at Washington State University's Richland campus. He also writes on the natural history of fishes for various regional publications and is the author of a field guide, Fishes of the Columbia Basin. This presentation is co-sponsored by Humanities Washington. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact (509) 888-7268 or Nick@CCFEG.org.

March 6th:  1st Tuesday program - "New Land--North of the Columbia," with speaker Lorraine McConaghy, author and historian with Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, 7:00 – 8:30 at the Twisp River Pub.  Co-sponsored by the Methow Conservancy and the Shafer Historical Museum.  See above for more details.

March 10th:  “Breaking Ground,” an agritourism class led by WSU Agricultural Professor and Okanogan County WSU Extension Director, Curtis Beus, on March 10th at TwispWorks from 8:30 to 5:30.  Free.  See above for more details.

March 15th:  "The History of Fish & Fishing in the Columbia Basin" with author Dennis Dauble, at 6:30pm at the Twisp Grange.  Presented by  the Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group and Humanities Washington.  See above for more details.

March 15th:  “Polar Dream,” a lecture by explorer and motivational speaker Helen Thayer based on her best-selling book of the same name, 7pm at the Omak Performing Arts Center.  The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Associated Students of Wenatchee Valley College at Omak.  See here for more details.

March 15th: New Member & New Landowner Welcome Wagon in Seattle 5 to 7pm, at the Lost River Winery Tasting Room (2003 Western Ave., Suite 100, near Pike Place Market)
If you are a new member of the Methow Conservancy (joined for the first time in the last 12 months) or if you have recently joined the Methow Valley community, we want to meet you and say Welcome! We’ll share our favorite spring hikes and special insider tips and you can meet others who know and love the Methow! See above for more details.

March 21st: 10th Annual Susie Stephens Memorial Bike Ride Please join us for our annual casual bike ride to celebrate the inspiring life of Susie Stephens.  We'll meet at the Winthrop Park at 11:30 a.m., break up into a couple different groups depending on ability and time, and head out for a ride. We'll meet back in the park after the ride for lunch.

April 3rd: 1st Tuesday program - "The Iditarod," Scott White will share the real life experiences of Iditarod racing. Scott's journey to pursue more winter adventures lead him to sled-dog racing. Sled-dog racing for Scott is both a means for competitive recreation and also a means of bringing attention to the need to save wild, undeveloped lands and animals that inhabit them. Scott has spent uncountable hours in the wild lands of Washington, Montana, Alaska, and Minnesota over the past 15 years, including training for and racing in the race of all race, the Iditarod. Joins us for Scott's amazing presentation on racing and wildlands as this year's Iditarod comes to a close.

April 22nd:  Methow Conservancy’s Adopt-a-Highway clean-up on Earth Day.  Help us spruce up a two-mile section of Highway 20 between Twisp and Winthrop (milepost 197-199)!  Click here or call 996-2870 or email Laurelle for more details.

May 1st: 1st Tuesday program - "An Enchantment of Birds" with birder extradonaire Dick Cannings. Dick, who lives just north of the border in the Canadian Okanagan will explore the world of birds through some of his favorite species, including the Western Meadowlark, Calliope Hummingbird, Flammulated Owl, Clark’s Nutcracker, Horned Lark and more.

May 5th:  Methow Conservancy Fieldtrip to the working ranch (and conservation easement) of Vic & Carrie Stokes.  Free. Stay tuned for more details.

May 19th:  Methow Conservancy Native plant walk with herbalist and naturalist Rosalee de la Foret.  Stay tuned for more details.

May 24 – 27th:  Methow Conservancy Spring Naturalists’ Retreat with Instructors Libby Mills & Dana Visalli.  The Naturalists’ Retreat is an annual celebration of the Methow Valley in springtime!  Come spend a long weekend with us where we’ll enjoy beautiful days in the field and engage in presentations and group dinners in the evenings.  Under the friendly and expert tutelage of ornithologist Libby Mills and botanist Dana Visalli you will be amazed by all that you learn and soak up in this fantastic nature and educational experience!  The retreat starts at 5pm on Thursday, May 24th and goes through the afternoon of Sunday May 27th.  This is Memorial Day weekend this year. Cost is $130 each. Space is limited and this course fills up fast! Contact Mary at 509.996.2870 or email her to register*.

June 5th: 1st Tuesday program - "Co-Dependence: Cottonwoods and the River" with Gina and Tom McCoy. Location TBA.

June 15-16th:  Methow Conservancy “Birding 101” class with Susan Ballinger for beginning birders.  An indoor class will be held Friday evening and a field session will be held early Saturday morning.  Stay tuned for more details.