Jump into Conservation Volunteering
Are you thinking about new ways to volunteer and support conservation in our valley? Here are a few ideas for fall 2026. The fall Wenatchee Naturalist course is filled, but Continue Reading →
Category: Wenatchee Watershed
Native Plants Fuel the Hummingbird Highway
North Central Washington is on the map for migrating neotropical Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned hummingbirds, as they fly thousands of miles from their wintering habitats in the mountains of Western Mexico northward, as far north as southern Alaska. During migration they fly during the day, and use early mornings and late evenings to fuel up on nectar, insects, and sugar water in feeders. Abundant nectar-producing flowers on early-blooming native shrubs like Serviceberry and Currents offer critical calories that fuel long-distant flight. Continue Reading →
Lady’s-slippers fit for a Queen!
Mountain Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium montanum) is currently in full bloom in an aspen grove near you! Continue Reading →
Celebrate the Anna’s Hummingbird
Videographer Bruce McCammon documented a successful nesting Anna’s Hummingbird in the Wenatchee Valley. Continue Reading →
Forest Masqueraders
For this next series of photos, I invite you to use the blog’s comment feature and tell me the name of the animal that pops into your mind for the next series of images. I invite you to submit your thoughts as a blog comment. Later this week, I’ll compile and add all nominations to the post, sharing the animal species you identify. Continue Reading →
Admiring Aspen
Most of us come home from an outing in the Wenatchee Watershed with new questions that begin with “Why?” Recently, my “Why” was preceded by “Wow,” in response to seeing the golden beauty of an aspen grove, encountered amidst the rich greens of conifer-clad mountainsides, on a bluebird mid-October day. I wondered, why are some aspen leaves tinged with a pinky-red, yet most are a vivid gold? Continue Reading →
It’s time to fill your Nature Prescription
The Wenatchee Naturalist Fall eNews offers ways for you to fill your Nature Prescription to bring joy, learning, and mindfulness to your days. Continue Reading →
Forest Foragers of Whitebark Pine Seeds
September is peak conifer cone ripeness throughout the western U.S for dozens of species of pines, firs, and spruces. Locally, in the upper reaches of the Icicle River watershed, whitebark pinecones project from the tops of trees. The cones are deep red and covered in resin so they glisten in the sun. The seeds are large and desirable food sources for a variety of native wildlife. Continue Reading →
Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest- Celebrating the Founders
This weekend, the 19th annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest is underway! The Wenatchee Naturalist program is the proud sponsor of the newly minted “Founders’ Award,” created to honor volunteerism in support of festival. The award was inspired by the visionary team of people who came together in 2003 to launch the very first Bird Fest. Continue Reading →
Celebrate Earth Day and Poetry Month!
Celebrate the 50th Earth Day and 25th National Poetry Month by attending a free event offered to the community by Wenatchee Valley College. Continue Reading →