The Methow Conservancy, in Washington State's Methow Valley
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Events

First Tuesday Lectures
The Methow Conservancy sponsors a monthly “First Tuesday Lecture Series”. The lectures provide a forum to learn about the Methow Valley’s natural characteristics and natural resource issues. Generally "First Tuesday" Lectures are held on the first Tuesday of the month. The place varies so please check each event for the location. All First Tuesday Lectures are free and open to everyone. For more information contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org

First Tuesday Lectures Coming Up:

Tripod stump

February 7th: “After the Fire – Five Years Post Tripod, with Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest Service staff, 7:00 - 8:30 at the Twisp River Pub.  In July 2006, lightning ignited what would become the largest wildfire in recent Washington state history. The four-month-long Tripod Fire burned a mosaic across 175,000 acres of forested land co-managed by various federal and state agencies. Join representatives from the Forest Service, including Methow Valley District Ranger Michael Liu and Deputy Fire Staff Officer Richy Harrod, for a presentation and discussion about how the land in the Tripod Fire burn area is recovering, what fire does ecologically and the restoration process.

DINNER NOTE: The Twisp River Pub is going to try a new dinner option this month. For those who would like to eat, instead of ordering from the menu, a buffet of several dinner options will be available. Simply pay $10 per person and get your meal when you want it. Small meals such as soup or salad will be available for the standard menu price. The full bar will also be open. The pub will open at 6pm.

March 6th: "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.

Other Events

Now through Feb. 18th - Inspired by the Methow, a Confluence Gallery show, co-sponsored by the Methow Conservancy, which features local artists who used the Methow Valley’s beauty, history, people, culture, seasons and colors as a source of inspiration for their work.  Come see and celebrate the Methow Valley through the eyes of its remarkable artists.  All proceeds from sales benefit the artists and the Confluence Gallery. 

Mondays, January 30th – March 14th: Eighth Annual Methow Conservation Course* – The Ecological History of the Methow Valley from the Cascades to the Columbia.  Registration is required and the class is currently full.  See more details here.Photographer John Scurlock

February 1st:  Methow Conservancy “1st Tuesday” style program IN SEATTLE, “Heart of the Distant Mountain:Photographic Flights Across Western North America,” with renowned photographer John Scurlock, 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Burke Museum.  John will cover his efforts over nine years to photograph mountains and glaciers from northern California to southeast Alaska and from the Coast Ranges to the Rockies.  The highlight will be images from his great obsession, the North Cascade range in winter.  See more details here.

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.

May 24 – 27th:  Spring Naturalists’ Retreat with Instructors Libby Mills & Dana Visalli.  The Naturalists’ Retreat is an annualPhotographer Mary Kiesau 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 509.996.5871 or email her to register*.

Even More Conservation & Ecology Programs
Wow, the conservation opportunities in the Methow seem limitless these days!  There are numerous programs and workshops being offered by other entities.  See below for some great ways to connect with the natural world of the Methow ... and beyond.

Community Cultural Center in Tonasket

Okanogan Highlands Alliance presents “Owls and Woodpeckers of the Okanogan Highlands and Beyond,” with Paul Bannick, a "Highland Wonders First Friday" event on Friday, February 3rd at 6:30 pm. A dinner benefiting the Community Cultural Center starts at 5:00 pm followed by the presentation with tea, coffee and desserts. The event will be held at the Community Cultural Center, 411 S Western Ave, Tonasket, WA. Contact Julie Ashmore at 509-433-7893 or julie@okanoganhighlands.org or check out their website for more info.

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 the North Cascades Basecamp and from Sun Mountain Lodge at 11:00 a.m. on the scheduled dates.  Reservations are not required; space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  For additional information, see MVSTA or call 509-996-3287.  The dates are February 4, 11, 18, 19 & 25; and March 3.

“Methow Naturalist” workshop series.  Dana Visalli of the Methow Naturalist will be hosting his second workshop series in February called “Natural History of the Methow” in four evening classes.  They will be a hands-on explorations of the Methow's flora, fauna, geology and ecology.  Cost is a sliding scale of $40-$80 for the four-class series. Contact Dana Visalli for more information at 997-9011.

The North Cascades Basecamp is continuing to offer a slew of programs and workshops throughout the winter.  See their full calendar of Thursday night presentations and weekend workshops here. 

*Our Cancellation and Refund Policy
If you cancel or leave a fee-based course for any reason:
Full refunds will be given if the request is received two weeks or more before the day of the program (class, workshop, fieldtrip, etc.).  If the cancellation is made less than two weeks before the start of the program, the Methow Conservancy will give a full refund only if we are able to fill your spot.  If you cancel 24 hours or less before the start time of the program or after the class has started there will be no refund of the program fee.  Although we rarely need to do so, we reserve the right to cancel a program.  In this case you will receive a full refund.

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315 Riverside Avenue / PO Box 71    Winthrop, WA 98862     509.996.2870
 
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