Welcome to the Wenatchee Naturalist 12-week course!
September, 2026
I am excited to welcome you to the Wenatchee Naturalist learning community, a partnership program of the Wenatchee Valley College Continuing Education with Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) and Wenatchee River Institute (WRI). I look forward to meeting you on Sept. 23th. I am so pleased announce that Virginia Shoup will serve as our class assistant. We are class of 25 adults, who all bring various perspectives and life experiences that enrich our sessions together, and often result in new friendships.
Please take a few moments to review this pre-class introductory slideshow here. Together, we will be exploring habitats and species that call our watershed home. This slideshow outlines how we will approach learning together.
Below are a few important notes:
- Check out the class website- https://www.wenatcheenaturalist.com/
- Add my email to your contacts (skylinebal@gmail.com). After each class, I will email you information for the coming week. Please add my cell # (509.669.7820) to your phone, to allow last minute communications for field trips. I will be traveling Sept. 6-21, so please contact me soon if you have questions or concerns.
- Review the 2026 syllabus and get the 12 class dates and 4 Saturday field trips onto your calendars! As a precaution in case wildfire or smoke force us to postpone a field trip, we’ve set two emergency back-up field trip dates: Saturday October 24 and Sunday Nov. 1.
- Location: Main Floor, Room 1115 Mish-ee-twie (MET) along 5th See campus map.
- First class: On Sept. 23rd, if your schedule allows, arrive up to 30 minutes early to check-out loaned materials and complete some paperwork. Class starts promptly at 6pm.
- Parking: WVC parking lots are patrolled by camera and tickets are issued if you don’t have a parking pass. Detailed information
- Free parallel street parking is available on 9th Street. Free parking is in the National Guard Armory parking lot at corner of 5th and Ringold St.
- WVC uses HONK, a mobile parking permit system, instead of physical hanging permits. Drivers scan a QR code that is available on parking lot signage, create an account, input their license plate number, and purchase a permit. You can visit the HONK websiteto purchase a permit.
- Over 60-year olds get a senior discount on a quarterly parking pass. Contact the Cashier in Wenatchi Hall to get the HONK Promo Code: Call 682.6500 or go to Wenatchi Hall, Floor 1 – Hours Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. noon.
- Food: I will provide simple beverages & snacks. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. If you come straight from work, bring your dinner.
- Bring: Pen, pencil, digital tablets or laptops if you like. We provide you with a nature journal. During field trips, we will provide free loaner binoculars for your use. I’d recommend that you wait to purchase any books or equipment until you’ve had a chance to try out many options during class. I have assembled loaner library boxes for each person to keep at home during the course. If you are an artist, feel free to bring your own supplies – I provide basic watercolor materials for class and field trips.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Continuing Education office at (509.982.6900).
I look forward to meeting you!
Susan Ballinger skylinebal@gmail.com cell: 509.669.7820