News & Press

This article originally ran in The Wenatchee World in October 2018.

Fall seems like a weird time to be talking about bird nests. Birds nest in the spring, right?

But it’s actually a great time for kids to go looking for nests. Why? Because looking for them in the spring can be difficult for children – and dangerous for the birds.

This article originally ran in The Wenatchee World in February 2018.

“Kids these days.”

In truth, though: kids these days spend more time on screens than ever before. Some kinds of screen time can be beneficial for kids older than 18 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). But too much of the wrong kind can cut into healthy activities like sleep, social interaction, and spending time in nature.

This article originally ran in The Wenatchee World in February 2018.

There’s a reason we talk about the weather so much – it affects everyone, every day! Here in North Central Washington, where we experience all four seasons, the climate affects almost everything we do.

There’s so much we can learn about weather and climate – all it takes is a few tools and a little bit of observation.

What are weather and climate?

by Pete O'Cain, Wenatchee World

CASHMERE — The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust has helped save more than 2,000 acres in Hay and Nahahum Canyon near Cashmere for public use.

The move permanently protects the land, to be known as the Cashmere Canyons Preserve, from development and will open 10 miles of trails to the public once a trailhead is constructed within the next year or two, according to a Land Trust news release.

In just a few weeks, the Wenatchee Valley will celebrate what has become an unofficial holiday around here: The opening of the Wenatchee Foothills Trails on April 1.

Until then, we close our eyes and imagine ourselves up there — running, hiking or biking along the rolling trails high above town, with views of the Columbia River, of the entire valley. Soon we will watch the shrub steppe hills turn a soft, velvety green. We will once again be reminded of the wisdom this community displayed when it decided to protect the foothills and our access to them.

There’s so much we can learn about weather and climate — all it takes is a few tools and a little bit of observation.

Read the entire article here in the Wenatchee World

 

CDLT's Executive Director Curt Soper spent some time in Olympia recently, advocating for conservation in NCW. Read Senator Brad Hawkins' recent newsletter for more information.

We are in the depths of winter here in North Central Washington. Sometimes it can be hard to motivate kids to get outside and explore the natural world when it’s cold, dark and gray. These winter science experiments help explore the science of winter from the comfort of your home.

 

Read the entire article here in the Wenatchee World

Holiday gifts — the source of a lot of joy, and sometimes a lot of stress. Why not turn this yearly project into some fun, nature-based bonding time with your kids?

Below are a few nature-based do-it-yourself holiday gift ideas that are great ways for kids to both engage with nature, and make something to give to a friend, classmate, or family member.

 

As the temperature drops and snow begins to fall, the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust wants to remind the community of the annual trails closure from Dec. 3 - April 1 of all Wenatchee Foothills trails north of Fifth Street.

Change is in the air this time of year. The leaves are changing, and we’re hearing the familiar honk of Canada geese as they pass overhead.

But where do those geese come from, and where do they go? Kids may be surprised to learn that some of the geese they see flying above them came from the tundras of Alaska, and could be heading as far south as Southern California. Take a look at a map — it’s a pretty impressive journey!

Below, we’ll learn more about the amazing journeys animals are taking right now and explore some ways to learn more about them.

Budding herpetologist*, Torsten Watkins, is a 6th grader at Orchard Middle School and he likes to spend his free time seeking out native reptiles and amphibians.

He and his Dad often can be found “herping” in the Wenatchee foothills. Recently, they stopped by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust office to tell us the story of his June 2017 discovery of a species not previously known to live in the Wenatchee foothills – a Northern desert night snake (Hypsiglena tchlorophaea deserticola).