Tuesday, April 7th, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Twisp River Pub
Local residents Anaka Mines, Hans Smith, and Dana Visalli will present their interesting and timely findings from a study of how much Methow Valley land it takes to grow a complete diet for one person while maintaining soil fertility. This program will display striking GIS-generated maps of the Methow Valley, discuss how many people could be fed from the agricultural land in the Methow watershed, examine the components of a locally produced diet, and explain how all the food one person needs can be grown on a relatively small plot of land.
The pub will open at 6:00 p.m. for attendees who would like to purchase drinks or something from the light menu. The event is free and open to everyone. Questions? Contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org.
Thanks to William and Tese Neighbor and Moya Vazquez, 26 acres are now protected with a conservation easement. The Neighbor-Vazquez easement, about 11 miles west of Twisp, adds to a string of other protected properties in the area.  Within five miles upstream and downstream of this new easement, nine other conservation easements protect more than 500 acres and over three miles of riverfront along the banks of the Twisp River. In the same stretch, public lands managed by the Okanogan National Forest border over one mile of the north and south banks of the river.
The Neighbor-Vazquez easement protects open space, conifer woodland, riparian forest and approximately 1,800 feet of the southern shoreline of the Twisp River. The diverse mixture of native habitats and undeveloped character provides excellent fish, songbird, amphibian, raptor, and large and small mammal habitat. Common species such as bear and beaver, and less common species such as moose and fox have all been seen on the property.
The Neighbor-Vazquez property borders a dynamic section of the Twisp River – the river meanders widely along its course, creating a huge oxbow on the property, active side channels and wetlands. Water quality in this stretch of the upper Twisp River is considered excellent. The quality and quantity of stream flow affect fish habitat characteristics, as well as water availability for downstream consumptive and non-consumptive uses. Maintaining existing riparian areas and protecting the intact floodplain within the Neighbor-Vazquez property will protect the water quality as well as storage and release processes that contribute to year round stream flow. 
Spring Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and bull trout, each of which is protected under the Endangered Species Act, utilize the stretch of the Twisp River that includes the Neighbor-Vazquez property for spawning, rearing, and/or migration habitat. The numerous side channels and deep pools, as well as healthy and structurally complex riparian vegetation, combine to create one of the most productive stretches of the river for fisheries. It is immediately downstream from reaches rated as some of the highest and best spawning and rearing habitat in the Twisp River.
Upon completing the conservation easement, the landowners said, “It is important to us to protect the peace and beauty of the land, the health of the green forest, the habitat and migratory paths of wildlife, and the life of the ‘river that runs through it.’ Our human footprint is only one of many in nature and must not dominate the land.”
We thank William and Tese Neighbor and Moya Vazquez for their commitment to conservation and for helping expand a rich and diverse protected corridor!
's Imagine the Methow Campaign
Saturday, May 23rd – 6 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn
We’re rounding up all who love the Methow Valley tocelebrate the
connections between conservation and community for a rollicking fun
evening at the Winthrop Barn on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
Mark your calendar – this is one party you won’t want to miss!
We’ll serve fresh, delicious local food and drinks and offer chances to win
some great raffle prizes while you learn more about the incredible
conservation stories of the Methow and our “Imagine the Methow” Campaign.
Then, we’ll all put on our dancing shoes and rock the evening away to the
rhythmic sounds of Jo Miller & Her Burly Roughnecks. Jo Miller was born and raised in the Methow and her make-you-smile rockabilly music is fun for all ages.
All the proceeds from the evening will support our efforts to ensure that
the Methow Valley remains a place where future generations can enjoy the
rural character, sense of community, and natural beauty we cherish today.
Stay tuned for more information about pre-event ticket sales and all the
details you’ll need. There will be plenty of jobs for volunteers so if you’d like to help, call or email us.
For the full line-up of everything happening this spring, check out our Events Page weekly!
Are weeds knocking at your door? Do you want to restore a little bit of the Methow’s natural beauty around your house? Not sure what to do with all that dirt and bare ground after your construction project?
If you are like most of us, you could probably benefit from a new series of fun and informative monthly workshops we are co-sponsoring with Rob Crandall of Methow Natives. The “Restoring Native Habitat around the Home” workshop series is based on the Methow Conservancy’s handbook “Restoring Shrub-Steppe in the Methow Valley,” and starts in April.
The monthly workshops will provide landowners with hands-on experience in planning, designing and implementing native plant restoration and landscaping projects around your house. Through this series you will learn do-it-yourself, low-cost strategies to beautify your surroundings, attract birds and butterflies, and help native plants thrive. Topics include site design, plant identification, weed control, irrigation, seed collection and propagation.
During the series, we will design and install a small native plant landscape while covering specific monthly topics. Field trips to both native habitat and ongoing restoration projects will widen our horizon on the possibilities of native restoration. As a class, we will have the opportunity to look at participants’ potential projects and give input. The course is designed to help both full-time and part-time residents living in a variety of habitat types in the Methow Valley.
The course will be led by Rob Crandall, owner of Methow Natives nursery. Rob has ten years of experience with native plant restoration in the valley. Well known as a local environmental educator, Rob loves to share his enthusiasm and passion for native plants. We hope you will leave the workshop series with a deep appreciation for our native plant communities and a renewed desire to restore habitat in your neck of the woods.
Classes will be held April through October, once a month on a Saturday, from 9:00 am to Noon at Methow Natives. People can attend the entire series or individual classes. Each class has a sliding-scale fee of $10 - $20, payable to Methow Natives when you attend. Classes are limited to 12 people, so pre-registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome. To pre-register for all or part of the series, please call Mary at the Methow Conservancy at 996-2870 or email info@methowconservancy.org.
The tentative outline of workshop topics includes:
April 11th - Design Basics for the Native Plant Garden
Site analysis; long term goals; “hardscape” considerations; begin work on native landscape bed.
May 9th - What to plant?
Native plant identification; how to choose plants; continue working on native landscape bed.
June 13th - Weeds, weeds, weeds
Weed identification; weed control strategies
July 18th - Native Seed collection
Seed collection field trip to local shrub-steppe hot spots
August 8th - Tour of potential landowner projects
If you are so inclined, the class will take a tour of potential projects and give input and maybe even a little weeding help.
September 12th - Getting ready for next year
Seeding and fall planting
The Methow lost a great friend this March when Kurt Jacobsen passed away. Kurt was born in  Seattle on December 23, 1930 and attended the University of Washington School of Architecture, where he began his lifetime career in architecture. He married Lois Wingett in 1952 and they had three children, Karen Jacobsen, Karl Jacobsen, and Jill Hansen. Kurt and Lois moved to the Methow Valley later in life and loved to hike, ski, and backpack. Kurt was a quiet and gentle person with a special appreciation for all things natural. He used natural materials when he built, and each of his buildings fit gracefully into their own setting. Kurt was known as a kind and generous man with an infectious laugh and a unique way of making everyone feel special. Kurt and his family generously asked that donations be made to the Methow Conservancy or Providence Hospital in lieu of flowers. We are honored by the Jacobsen’s support and trust in us. As of March 31st, the following people made donations in memory of Kurt. With their help, the natural beauty of the Methow will continue on as Kurt knew and loved it. We thank them for their thoughtful donations.
Harriet and Dan Alexander, Debbie, David and Jesse Asia, Margaret and Bob Boyce, Ardis Bynum, Jean and Craig Campbell, Lee and Ed Carpenter, Eric Cederwall, Cathy and Phil Davis, Michael Dederer, Nancy and Dick Gode, Joy and Fred Holdren, Chris Jacobsen, Elizabeth Spencer Steffa and Kendal Steffa, Frauke Rynd and Mac Shelton, Helen Stusser, Joseph Tonn, and Janett Wingett
Keeping Susie’s Spirit Alive
Mother Nature blessed our annual Susie Stephens Memorial Bike Ride with a beautiful, sunny spring day. About 30 people from up and down the valley brought skinny tires, fat tires, tow-behind trailers for kids, and even an electric bike to honor our friend and former Development Director, Susie Stephens. Susie was an avid cyclist. In March, 2002 she was tragically hit and killed by a bus. We honor her every year with this ride, and remind ourselves of the many benefits (and joys) of riding a bike. For more photos, see our Facebook page.
It’s In the Mail
Our Spring/Summer 2009 newsletter that is. If you are on our mailing list, you should have received our biannual newsletter recently. If you did not get a newsletter and would like to, please contact us at info@methowconservancy.org or 509-996-2870 and we’ll be happy to send you one. You can also see or download a PDF version of the newsletter here. Our biannual newsletter is separate from and often contains new and different information from our monthly E-News.
Board of Directors Online Auction Was A Success!
Thank you to everyone that participated in our 3rd Annual Board of Directors Online Auction! We had several great items which many supporters competed for to aid our work here at the Methow Conservancy. Congratulations and thank you to all the bidders and auction winners. With their support we raised over $2,600 to help protect the beauty and character of the Methow Valley.
Welcome New Members!
Below are the people that have provided new membership support from March 1st to the present. Thanks to them and all of you for your generous support!
Badger House Inn, Cameron Bahnson, Mary Phlypo and James Burke, Lexi Koch and Chris Doree, and Kathleen and Dale Swedberg
Historic Opportunity to Help Shape the Future of Okanogan County and the Methow Valley
Okanogan County is currently working to update and adopt a new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code that will serve as the blueprint for future growth and development in the Methow Valley. Learn more, including how you can participate and share your input with the Okanogan County Planning Commission.
From Earthday events to our 3-day Naturalists’ Retreat, there are tons of great things to do in the Methow in springtime. So many in fact, that we can’t list them all here! Below are two great opportunities to learn about and see nature in a new way. Registration for these is limited so call soon to reserve your spot by contacting Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org.
For the full line-up of every program, class and field trip coming up, see the event calendar below. More programs are planned all the time, so check our Events Page frequently!
Nature Journaling and Field Sketching Class with Instructors Hana Baker & Sarah Varick
Saturday, May 9th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. 
Learn to observe, explore and connect with the natural world through natural journaling and sketching. Local school teachers, Hana Baker and Sarah Varick will introduce basic journaling, drawing and watercolor techniques, and help you create vibrant drawings in a trail-side setting. No experience necessary. Adults and kids (ages 10 and up) welcome. Registration is required and the class is limited to 15 people. Bring a blank-paged journal, and if you have them colored pencils and/or watercolors. Suggested donation of $10/person.
Spring Naturalists’ Retreat with Instructors Libby Mills & Dana Visalli
Thursday, May 14th at 5:00 pm through Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 pm
 The Naturalists’ Retreat is an annual celebration of the Methow Valley in springtime! Arrowleaf balsamroot and many other spring flowers will be at their prime in mid-May, and the neo-tropical migrant birds will be pouring into the valley after their long journey from South and Central America. With the friendly and expert guidance of ornithologist Libby Mills and botanist Dana Visalli, encounter more birds, flowers and other aspects of nature than you would have thought possible, and gain insights into the secret lives of many different forms of wildlife. In the evenings, share meals and presentations on the Methow’s natural history as well as the life and times of Methow birds. Registration is required and the retreat is limited to 20 people. The retreat cost $130/person. For more details see our Events Page.
Below, you'll find announcements about events or publications (ours and those of other organizations) that we think you might find interesting.
April 7th: Methow Conservancy 1st Tuesday Program, “Can We Feed Ourselves?: Agriculture and People in the Methow,” 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Twisp River Pub. Free and open to the public. See above.
April 11th: Methow Conservancy & Methow Natives Workshop Series Restoring a Native Landscape around the Home. Class #1 - “Design Basics for the Native Plant Garden”, 9:00 am – Noon at Methow Natives. See our workshop series page for more details.
April 14th: PSM program, “Good Food” Film on the benefits of eating locally grown, organic foods, 7:00 p.m. at Twisp River Pub. $5-$10 suggested donation.
April 18th: Pearrygin Lake State Park’s Earth Day Celebration, 10:00 a.m. to Noon. The State Park’s Earth Day event is a "Community Partnership Day" to help clean-up the lakeshore, plant some trees, listen to local bluegrass music, and share a meal with neighbors, friends, and visitors to the park. See our Events Page for more details.
April 21st: Classroom in Bloom's Earth Day Celebration, 5:30 at the Twisp River Pub.  Celebrate the earth we stand on,eat an all local meal and watch an inspiring film all in honor of Classroom in Bloom, the public school's organic garden. Doors open at 5:30, and dinner is served at 6:30. $20-30 sliding scale suggested donation. Call 997-2050 for more info.
April 24th: Twisp Arbor Day Celebration 1:00 p.m. in the Twisp Commons next to the Methow Valley Community Center. Come plant and prune trees. Take home potted trees for yourself. Watch the paper for more details or call Dwight Filer at 997-0522 if you want to help.
May 3rd and 4th: Methow Conservancy Program “With Respect to Farming” A Film about Sustainable Growing in the Methow Valley. Terry Hunt will show his newly finished 65-minute documentary about sustainable farming and growing in the Methow Valley. Various shorter pieces of this film have been shown in the three years that Terry has been producing the full-length film. Now come see the finished work of art!  It profiles the Methow Valley's unique sustainable agriculture community, portraying the dedication and hard work of local farmers and ranchers, while addressing some of the joys and sorrows of this disappearing lifestyle. A suggested donation of $5 or more is welcomed but not required. Donations will go towards the film's production and distribution.
The May 3rd program will be at the Mazama Community Center from 7:00 – 8:00. Doors open at 6:30.
The May 4th program will be at the Twisp River Pub from 7:00 – 8:00. The pub will open at 6:00 p.m. for attendees who would like to purchase drinks or something from the light menu.
May 9th: Methow Conservancy Nature Journaling and Field Sketching Class, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Learn to observe, explore and connect with the natural world through natural journaling and sketching. Registration is required and the class is limited to 15 people. See our Events Page for more details.
May 9th: Methow Conservancy & Methow Natives Workshop Series Restoring a Native Landscape around the Home. Class #2 - “What to plant?” 9:00 am – Noon at Methow Natives. See our workshop series page for more details.
May 12th: Methow Conservancy “1st Tuesday” Program, “Why do Weeds Invade Abandoned Agricultural Fields?: 10 Years of Data from the Methow Valley,” 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.at the Twisp River Pub (on the second Tuesday!). Andrew Kulmatiski, PhD (University of Alaska Anchorage) and Karen Beard, PhD (Utah State University) have conducted research in the Methow Valley for the last 10 years on why weeds specifically invade old, abandoned agricultural fields versus nearby undisturbed areas, and if there is any way to reverse this pattern. One reason they've found is that weeds change soils in a way that increases their own growth. They will outline several experiments that have been done on 25 local areas, explain their current and future research plans, and present a new management tool based on their findings. The pub opens at 6:00 p.m.
May 15th: “The Owl and The Woodpecker: Encounters with North America's Most Iconic Birds,” a Methow Conservancy slideshow and talk with award-winning photographer Paul Bannick, 7:30 p.m. at the Merc Playhouse in Twisp. Paul is returning for an encore presentation of the fabulous talk he gave in February. For all the details, see our Events Page.
May 14th – 17th: Methow Conservancy Spring Naturalists’ Retreat with instructors Libby Mills and Dana Visalli. This fantastic educational field class is limited to 20 people and costs $130/person. See our Events Page for more details.
May 23rd: A Conservation Hoedown with “Jo Miller and her Burly Roughnecks” ~ A Benefit for the Methow Conservancy's Imagine the Methow Campaign . Saturday, May 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn. Join us for a really fun evening marking our historic effort to protect the rural character and natural beauty of the Methow Valley. See above for more details and mark your calendar!
May 31st: The Crown S Ranch Annual Farm Tour and Potluck. The Crown S Ranch was  protected with a Methow Conservancy conservation easement this year. Crown S Ranch produces organic beef, pork, poultry, eggs, and vegetables through a pasture-based, grass finishing operation using management-intensive pasture rotation, sometimes called grass farming. Take a free tour of this amazing local farm and hear first-hand farming stories from Louis Sukovaty and Jennifer Argraves. Tours will be held at 10:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm with the potluck at Noon. Crown S will provide meat and beverages. Bring a side dish and join the fun! This event is free and open to everyone. For more information contact Crown S Ranch at 996-3849.
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1st Tuesday Program: 