1st Tuesday Program (on a 2nd Tuesday!): “The North Cascades and Our National Parks”  A preview of the new Ken Burns National Parks film plus a North Cascades National Park update
Tuesday, September 8th, 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Merc Playhouse in Twisp

Watch the stunning 45-minute film, "This is America," and hear from and ask questions of North Cascades National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.  "This is America" is a preview of the Ken Burns series, "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea," which will air nationally on PBS later this month.

The Merc will open at 6:30pm for attendees who would like to purchase drinks or snacks.  The event is free and open to everyone.  Contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org if you have questions.

Winthrop Neighborhood Party with the Imagine the Methow Campaign
Sunday, September 6th from 4:00 – 6:00pm at the home of Dianne & Bruce Honsinger at 28 Lower Bear Creek Rd.

This is the Methow Conservancy's sixth gathering in their summer series of neighborhood parties, and it's for greater Winthrop and the eastern mid-Valley, including East Chewuch, Studhorse, upper and lower Bear Creek, and East County Road folks.  If you missed the gathering in your area of the Valley, please come on over to this one - anyone is welcome!

The Rivertown Ramblers will perform at the Winthrop Neighborhood Gathering.

Your Winthrop Neighborhood Party Co-Hosts are: Sue & Dick Roberts, Susan Peterson, Anne & Peter Eckmann, Julie Muyllaert & Joe Brown, Sam & John Owen, Dune Ives & Eric Froyd, Carolyn & Duncan Bronson, Chris & Mel Hartwig, and Fred Wert.

Join your Winthrop-area neighbors for food, fun and socializing, as well as music by the Rivertown Ramblers, and a beautiful 5-minute film about the Methow Conservancy's Imagine the Methow Campaign for Conservation.  This is a free event though guests will have the opportunity to support the Imagine the Methow campaign and help the Methow Conservancy reach a goal of 1,000 donors this summer.  Now, any and every donation will help them meet a $100,000 challenge too!  

RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Call 996-2870 or email info@methowconservancy.org.

If you can't make this event, but would still like to contribute to the Methow Conservancy Imagine the Methow campaign, visit the Methow Conservancy at 315 Riverside Ave in Winthrop, or call 996-2870, or go to www.imaginethemethow.org.

Imagine the Methow Campaign for Conservation News Flash
The Heat is on!  The Imagine the Methow Campaign needs your help!

Our 'Leave a Legacy' Challenge Tree

A generous group of donors has recently challenged the campaign to put 1,000 leaves on our Leave a Legacy Challenge Tree. 

If we put 1,000 leaves on the tree by September 26th, the Methow Conservancy will be awarded a special $100,000 Challenge Grant by this group of donors.  That means that any and every donation to the Methow Conservancy’s Imagine the Methow Campaign will move us closer to the $100K challenge and will put another leaf on our special Leave a Legacy Challenge Tree. 

The “tree” is a beautiful, hand-crafted piece of art made by Barry Stromberger out of old recycled metal, and the lovely leaves are cut from copper and hung on the tree like ornaments.  Every donor’s name is etched onto a copper leave then placed on the tree. 

We’re calling this our Every Dollar Counts Challenge – because every dollar truly does count.  Whether you can give $5, $50, $500 or $5,000, every donation moves us closer to the Challenge goal of 1,000 donations and $100,000.  This is your chance to be a part of something truly extraordinary. 

If you have already given, thank you!  Your donation is already helping us reach the 1,000 donation goal.  Please consider telling a friend or neighbor about this special challenge and encouraging them to buy a leaf for our tree. 

If you have not yet given, there has never been a better time!  You can learn more about the campaign and donate online at www.imaginethemethow.org. 

As of August 31st, we need about 500 more donations to meet our goal.  Methow Conservancy volunteers will be out in force over the next few weeks raising awareness about the campaign and encouraging people to buy a leaf. 

Our last neighborhood party was in Carlton

The Leave a Legacy Tree and a special banner are outside in front of our office counting our progress toward 1000 donations.  We’ll also have unique donation boxes around the Methow Valley and we’ll be hosting events in the Valley and beyond (see the events calendar at the bottom).

The Imagine the Methow Campaign is different than our annual membership fundraising drives.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime capital campaign focused specifically on raising $20 million in public and private funds for land protection and the ongoing care of the land protected.  This campaign is the culmination of years of preparation by the Methow Conservancy and is grounded in scientific research—focused on helping us understand where the “best” soils, habitats, and views are—combined with modeling of growth potential and real, honest conversations with community focus groups.  We don’t plan on running special campaigns like this too often – this is truly a chance to be part of something extraordinary, something that will impact this beautiful valley for generations.  Add your voice to the Imagine the Methow Campaign and make sure future generations know a Methow Valley as special as we all do today. 

Town Hall Meeting in Winthrop on the County Comprehensive Plan
This Wednesday, September 2nd, 6:30 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn (upstairs)
If you’ve been waiting for the opportunity to get fully educated regarding the Comprehensive Plan update process currently underway throughout Okanogan County, then you don’t want to miss the meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, September 2nd, 6:30 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn.

County Commissioner Bud Hover and Okanogan County Office of Planning and Development invite you to a town hall style meeting to share an update and information regarding the Draft Comprehensive Plan.  This is not a public hearing but an opportunity to hear from and ask questions of Mr. Hover and County staff.

The Comprehensive Plan update provides a historic opportunity for citizens throughout Okanogan County to help shape the future of our communities.  Take the time to attend the meeting on Wednesday, September 2nd, a future Planning Commission meeting, or an upcoming Public Hearing.  If you cannot attend, submit your input in writing well in advance of the meeting or hearing so that the Planning Commission or Commissioners have time to review your input.  Review the most current draft documents, proposed land use designation maps, and zoning maps, or simply find out when the next Planning Commission meeting is at: http://www.okanogancounty.org/planning/

Click here for a few tips from our Executive Director Jason Paulsen regarding how you can best participate in this important land use planning effort.

September Outings & Classes
Enjoy the beautiful, warm days of the lingering summer with us.  There are wonderful things to learn and do!

Saturday, September 5th
A Free Spawning Salmon Fieldtrip
Join the Methow Conservancy from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 5th for a special visit to a few of our conservation easement properties on the Methow River in Mazama.  Walk along the Methow Community Trail with Conservancy Stewardship Director, Steve Bondi, and learn about riparian and wetland habitats and the fish and wildlife that call them home.  See salmon redds (nests) and very likely see salmon spawning.  Steve will discuss how the river changes over time, and explain why and how the Methow Conservancy does conservation easements.

There is no need to register - the event is free and open to the public.  Meet at the Suspension Bridge parking lot on Goat Creek Rd at 9:00 a.m.  Call 996-2870 if you need directions or more information.

Saturday, September 12th, 8am – 2pm
"The Art of Wildlife Tracking" Summer Field Workshop
Explore the Methow’s wild side with professional wildlife tracker, Gabe Spence.  This class will focus on learning to identify the wide variety of species that use the Methow Valley through the tracks and signs that they leave behind.  Take away knowledge that you can use on your next hike, trip down the river, or in your backyard.  We’ll cover the foundations of how to identify tracks, basic track measurements, foot morphology, scat and sign identification and tracking procedures for participants to continue learning. 

This unique outdoor class costs just $30 but registration is necessary and space is limited to ten people.  To register, contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org.

Saturday, September 12th, 9am to Noon at Methow Natives
Watering and Irrigation Systems Class
Presented by the Methow Conservancy and Methow Natives
This class is part of a summer series giving landowners hands-on experience in planning, designing and implementing native plant restoration and landscaping projects around their house.  Through this class learn do-it-yourself, low-cost strategies for watering and irrigation systems for native landscaping.   People can attend the entire series or individual classes, which will be held once a month through October.  To pre-register, contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org.  Click here for more details about this series.

Sixth Annual Cider Squeeze & Social
Saturday, September 26th from 2:00 – 4:00pm
Mark your calendars and start saving jugs for our annual Cider Squeeze at Dave and Marilyn Sabold’s house just south of Winthrop.  This sweet event is always a special, fun-filled time to

celebrate community, conservation and the harvest season.  It's free and anyone is welcome.  Meet new friends and old friends plus Methow Conservancy staff and board members.  Enjoy great food, music and much more.  There will be activities for kids of all ages, and of course you’ll want to take a turn working the unique and historic apple press.

This year’s event is especially meaningful as it will also be a party to celebrate our Imagine the Methow Campaign for Conservation.  We hope to commemorate the close of our community phase of the campaign with the 1,000th donation to the campaign!  

Please bring your own jugs for taking home cider.  We usually have enough apples, but if you have some cider apples to share feel free to bring them.  Bringing a potluck item is optional but not necessary for attendance!  RSVPs are appreciated but not required.  Contact us at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org if you have questions or need directions.

Wondering about our Methow Mixer at REI?
After five years of hosting our Methow Mixer at the Seattle REI, we thought we’d mix things up a bit and do something different.  We are definitely still going to have a fun Seattle event later this fall, don’t worry.  Stay tuned for information about a very interesting speaker – you won’t want to miss this one!

New Members!
Thank you to our new members who donated in the month of August! Wow!
Nicole and Brad Ack, Darcy Barker, Julia Beaman, Madeleine Alkire & Ryan Bell. Linda Boron, Ronda Bradeen, Robin and Philip Bransford, Vicky and Michael Caldwell, Pat & John  Campion, Paula and David Campion, Susan Chloupek, Rosalee & Xavier de la Foret, Thomas Dillon, J. Sloan DuRoss, Nancy and Steve Edgar, Terri Wolber and Jeff Eustis, Charles Evans, Katie Feltz, Friends of Bear Creek, R. William Graham, Laura & Greg Grimstad, Sheila Hardy, Alisa and Brian Hata, Charlene and Jon Hawley, Ron Huden and Peter Hiatt, Sandy Sanders and Joseph Hillis, Maggie Lewis & Bob Huppe, Kristen Klein, Charles Lewarne, Abbie Miller and Craig Lints, Virginia Malmquist, Terry and Barbara McCabe, Joyce Mellander, Georgette & Michael Menth, Shirley Mikel, Cathey & Erik Mikkelsen, Jo Wallace and Bruce Nitsche, Rick and Pat Norby, Beth and Wade Perrow, Vickie Putnam, Mamie Rockafellar, Andrew Roth, Joanne Ruoss, Shane Ruoss, Victoria and Dell Schweitzer, Steven Seward, Barbara and David Shull, Pat Sloan, Mary Stackpoole, Alexander Stevens, Beth and David Stipe, Carl Taplin, Ann Williams and Douglas Volkmer, R.S. Warner, Debra Westwood, and Cameron Green & Eric Wittenbach

Events
Below, you'll find announcements about events or publications (ours and those of other organizations) that we think you might find interesting.

September 2nd:  Winthrop “Town-Hall” meeting on the Okanogan County Comprehensive Plan, 6:30 at the Winthrop Barn (upstairs mtg room).  See above for more details. 

September 5th:  A Free Spawning Salmon Fieldtrip, 9 – 11am Walk along the Methow Community Trail in Mazama with Conservancy Stewardship Director, Steve Bondi, and visit to a few of our conservation easement properties on the Methow River while learning about riparian and wetland habitats and the fish and wildlife that call them home.  See salmon redds (nests) and very likely see salmon spawning.  Steve will discuss how the river changes over time, and explain why and how the Methow Conservancy does conservation easements.  The event is free and open to the public.  Meet at the Suspension Bridge parking lot on Goat Creek Rd at 9:00 a.m.  Call 996-2870 if you need directions or more information.

September 6th:  Greater Winthrop / Eastern Mid-Valley Neighborhood Imagine the Methow Campaign Party, 4 – 6pm at the home of Dianne & Bruce Honsinger at 28 Lower Bear Creek Rd. Join your Winthrop-area neighbors for free drinks, Local 98856 gourmet treats, and music by the Rivertown Ramblers!  If you missed the gathering in your area of the Valley, the Conservancy invites you to come on over to this one - anyone is welcome. Click here for more information.

September 8th: Methow Conservancy “1st Tuesday” Program (on a 2nd Tuesday!):  “The North Cascades and Our National Parks” A preview of the new Ken Burns National Parks film plus a North Cascades National Park update. 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Merc Playhouse in Twisp. Watch the stunning 45-minute film, "This is America," and hear from and ask questions of North Cascades National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins. "This is America" is a preview of the Ken Burns series, "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea," which will air nationally on PBS later this month.

September 12th:  “The Art of Wildlife Tracking” Field Class with Gabe Spence, 8am to 2pm. Explore the Methow’s wild side with professional wildlife tracker, Gabe Spence.  This class will focus on learning to identify the wide variety of species that use the Methow Valley through the tracks and signs that they leave behind.  Take away some knowledge that you can use on your next hike, trip down the river, or in your backyard.  Topics to be covered will be the foundations of how to identify tracks, basic track measurements, foot morphology, scat and sign identification and routines to continue learning.  This unique outdoor class costs just $30 but registration is necessary and space is limited to ten people.  To register, contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org.

Sept 12th:  Methow Conservancy & Methow Natives Workshop Series Restoring a Native Landscape around the Home.  Class #6 - “Watering and Irrigation Systems" 9am – noon at Methow Natives.  Registration recommended.  See our workshop series page for more details.

September 16th:  Wenatchee Imagine the Methow Campaign Party, 6pm at the Confluence State Park Picnic Shelter.  Bring your own beverages and a dish to share and your Wenatchee Hosts (Michelle & Lance Jobe, Beth & David Stipe, Elliot & Tina Scull) will provide the main dish.  Learn more about the Methow Conservancy’s Imagine the Methow Campaign and help us reach our goal of 1,000 donors this summer.

September 17th:  Seattle Imagine the Methow Campaign Party, 5:30 pm at the law offices of Graham & Dunn LLC at Pier 70 near the Sculpture Garden.  Learn more about the Methow Conservancy’s Imagine the Methow Campaign and help us reach our goal of 1,000 donors this summer.

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