News & Press

LAKE WENATCHEE — A group of Lake Wenatchee residents concerned about clearcutting on a highly visible ridge near here has begun negotiations with Weyerhaeuser to buy the land tagged for logging.

The group of mostly property owners from Lake Wenatchee housing developments and lakeshore homes met with Weyerhaeuser execs last week to forge a deal to buy the 206-acre piece on Nason Ridge and halt a proposal to clearcut much of the land.

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It has been quite inspiring to witness Bob Bugert exercise his quiet, humble and effective leadership in executive roles with the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust for the past decade. 

read complete Wenatchee World editorial here 

The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust conducts once-a-month bird counts at its Mountain Home Preserve near Leavenworth. Videographer Hunter Brawley went on a bird count early Tuesday morning, July 18.

See the video at the Wenatchee World. 

A few months ago we explored pollinators — those creatures that help our flowering plants produce seeds. This month, I’ve been having a lot of fun observing butterflies flitting from flower to flower.

Just thinking about butterflies can bring a smile to my face. They seem to embody everything that is good about the world — wildlife, flight, beauty, and flowers.

Let’s learn a bit about butterflies and explore ways to get your kids excited about the butterflies they might see in their neighborhood.

WENATCHEE — The Saddle Rock Gateway opened to the public Thursday evening, culminating years of work on behalf of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and its partners.

An estimated 200 to 300 people attended the dedication ceremony, packing the gateway’s new 80-plus-space parking lot at the end of Circle Street next to Appleatchee.

“It was a really nice way to welcome this facility to the community which is going to be much used,” said Curt Soper, Land Trust executive director.

I don’t know a kid who does not have a rock collection, even if it’s just one favorite stashed on a shelf somewhere. I personally have piles of rocks all over my house. Rocks fascinate kids — it’s not hard to get them excited about a cool rock. They’re beautiful, they feel good in the hand, and because they come from the inside of the earth, they’re mysterious. Let’s find out some easy ways to have fun with kids and rocks.

For the full article, visit the Wenatchee World.

I think we can all agree that spring in our corner of the world is pretty special. Our fields of wildflowers and blooming orchards combined with green hillsides and snowy mountains make my heart sing every day. What a great place to raise children to love nature.

WENATCHEE — The city of Wenatchee on Thursday adjusted the hours of operation for its Foothills parks.

Since 2009, Wenatchee parks have been open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The city has acquired a number of parks located in the foothills in the years following the adoption of the current park hours, and not all of which operate under the same hours.

For the full story, visit the Wenatchee World. 

This article originally ran in The Wenatchee World in December 2017.

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.

Time to get gifting!

This article originally ran in The Wenatchee World in October 2017.

Change is in the air this time of year. School has started, 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!

This article originally ran in The Wenatchee World in August 2017.

One day this summer, a group of kids and I were hiking along on a local trail exploring the world of insects, when we came across a lizard. It was basking on a rock, and, we assumed, keeping an eye out for insects as well. The kids were fascinated and full of questions – they would have stayed there all day if we didn’t have to get back to the bus.