Events Page

The giant Palouse earthworm has been seen in our area! Come out and help us look for it at our Mountain Home property. Trip is limited to eight people. Learn more about the giant earthworm here.

What to Bring: Water, snacks, gloves

Find out what reptiles live in our area during this survey. Expect western fence lizards, gopher snakes, racers, and rattlesnakes, but we could find a few lesser known species. Requires bending, lifting, and participants must be comfortable being near snakes.

Limited to 8 people

What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves, hiking boots, long pants, gaiters, walking stick or staff

On July 24, 1994, lightning ignited a wildfire at Tyee Creek that raged across 135,000 acres, burning up 35 homes and cabins before it was contained 33 days later. Nearby, the Hatchery and Rat Creek fires consumed another 40,000 acres, making 1994 one of the worst wildfire years in eastern Washington’s history. On June 14th, renowned photographer & biologist John Marshall and research ecologist Dr. Paul Hessburg will team up to present The Tyee and Rat-Hatchery Fires: Rare event or harbinger of things to come?, at the Barn Beach Reserve. Paul will kick off the evening with a presentation that highlights key changes in the ecology of wildfires in eastern Washington. John will present his repeat photographic studies of the 1994 wildfires. Come join us for what promises to be an interesting and informative evening.

The presentation will be followed up by a field trip to the Mt. Home property on Saturday, June16, where the newly learned ecological concepts can be seen in person. We will discuss and practice healthy forest management techniques and will thin small trees along the roads and trails.  Click here for more details and to sign-up.

Come join us for a two-part class on the geology of the Wenatchee River Valley and surrounding area. At the evening session, Kelsay Stanton will discuss the kinds of rocks found in the region as well as how plate tectonics shape what we see.

On the June 23rd field trip, we will check out the outcrops! Time and details TBA.

Join Julie Sanderson for her annual walk to see what’s in bloom along the way to Clara Lake.  The walk is open to the public, but limited to 12 participants.  Call Julie (509-663-5261) to reserve your spot.  The hike is moderately strenuous with a steep pitch at the beginning, 3 mile total round trip distance with elevation gain of 900 feet over 1.5 miles.  Bring what you need to be comfortable in the outdoors for a few hours, layered clothing, lunch, water hand lenses and all the plant books you want to carry.