Welcome to Week 8 of our 10-week challenge, designed to encourage new naturalist discoveries as we continue to practice social distancing and wait for the coming vaccinations! March brings us the first signs of spring, while our mountains are still shining with snow. Try to get outside early when the mud is firm under foot!

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Each week, select one of the 60 total activities designed to delight your senses, stimulate your curiosity, and remind you of the joy that springs up just by being outside in nature. When you’ve completed 10 activities, send an email to Susan (skylinebal@gmail.com) so she can add your name to the list of Coronavirus 2021 life-long learners on the Wenatchee Naturalist website. 

Below are six options for Week 8 – One is sure to ignite a desire to learn about the world outside.

Read

Explore the topical bibliographies on the Wenatchee Naturalist webpage and find one book to read in 2021! Consider adding a field guide to your collection, request it at the library, or place an order at a locally-owned bookstore.

Listen

This link to the OneTreePlanted webpage above offers 24 environment-related podcast options that bring inspiration and joy. Nature, sustainability and environment options include offerings by Jane Goodall, the Yale Climate Connections, and the Nature Journal.

Watch

Stream “Birds of Prey,” this award-winning documentary by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The Great Philippine Eagle is the largest and rarest bird of prey in the world. Fewer than 800 individuals remain today and their survival is tied to the fate of the last fragments of old-growth forest in the Philippines.

Journal

Australian artist, Paula Peters, offers her book Make a Date with Nature: An Introduction to Nature Journaling. Download a free ebook at her website and try a few of her suggested activities.

Visit

Take a walk in the Horan Natural Area to watch the nesting bald eagles, starting their third year of rearing young. The link is to a fact sheet about the area. Free parking and nice bathrooms at Walla Walla Point Park.

Advocate

Explore a new-to-you Washington non-profit conservation organization. This link is a list of our state’s environmental organizations.

Free March Offerings

WRI presents- Cosmic Crisp Virtual Presentation- March 18, 12noon-1 Register here

It took 20 years to develop and release the Cosmic Crisp® apple to the Washington apple industry. Kate Evans, a professor in the department of horticulture, based at the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, will discuss the process and explain the background to the project. A free program offered by Wenatchee River Institute.

Native Planting 101 Workshop – Mondays in March at 7:00 pm. (virtually via Zoom – one hour session each week)RSVP here.

• March 15: Noxious Weed Control with Julia Sanderson
• March 22: Native Plant Selection and Care with Mel Asher
• March 29: Q&A and Panel Discussion with the experts  

Questions? Contact KirkB@cascadiacd.org or (509) 436-1601