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, revealinghidden facets ofour 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.
Click here for more details.
 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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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 19th: "Conservation & Trails" Guided Ski Tour, 1-3pm, free
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 uniquepairing of protected private land andtrails in this area that wasonce 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
February 20th: "Ecology of Winter" Field Class, 10am - 2pm. There is plenty for naturalists to enjoy afield in winter. On this 4-hourouting 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.
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 Robert William Sandford.
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. Click here for more details.
Kriger will introduce you to the wide world of frogs with incredible photos from around the world, and discuss what needs to be done to prevent further amphibian declines and extinctions.