Curious About … Backyard Nature Journaling?

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Nature journal artist Jane Zanol introduces the practice of nature journaling using common backyard plants, a pen, a pencil, and watercolor paints. Continue Reading →

Hiking for Health in the Wenatchee Foothills

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Leslie Bigos chronicle how starting to do a new exercies daily exercise has brough new joy to her life. Her daily hike became more than just self-improvement; as my fitness improved, I started enjoying how the light changed on Saddle Rock from one day to the next. Continue Reading →

Curious About … Western Larch Green-Up?

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Washington’s only native deciduous conifer is western larch. Each spring, new needles grow. “Gus” is the champion tree, largest of its species, growing near Seely Lake, Montana Continue Reading →

This adult Western Skink has a dull colored tail compared to the bright blue tails younger individuals have. The reason the tail is dull is to make their tail less distracting as the importance of the tail as an energy storage system increases.

Curious About … Western Skink?

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Western Skink are common lizards in North Central Washington. These active little lizards are often characterized by their vibrantly colored blue tail, but this beautiful coloration is partly temporary and fades with age Continue Reading →

Curious About … Northern Flickers?

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Northern Flickers are common across North America and using drumming and calling during the breeding season to communicate with mates. Continue Reading →

Curious About … Endemics (happily not pandemics)?

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Snow Douglasii is a Wenatchee Mountain endemic native perennial wildflower that blooms as snow is melting. Continue Reading →

Curious About … Mule Deer?

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

This “Curious About” series features one species, Mule Deer, with resources for learners of all ages Continue Reading →

Register now – Birdwatching for Beginners

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Register now for “Birdwatching for Beginners” offered by Wenatchee Valley College in partnerhsip with NCW Aududon Society and the Wenatchee Naturalist program. Continue Reading →

A curious 4th grade student studying mountain goat fur

Traveling Naturalist Program Launched!

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

Volunteers needed for the Wenatchee River Institute’s Classroom Traveling Naturalist Program. This program serves 4th grade classrooms with high numbers of low-income and minority students across North Central Washington. Curriculum is focused on structure and function in the natural world and occurs in classrooms and on school grounds. Volunteers will work alongside trained instructors. Continue Reading →

A page of Joan Steichen's "My Friends At the Horan."

Wenatchee Naturalist Stories: Chapter 20

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Susan Ballinger

The final group of talented members of the 2019 Wenatchee Naturalist class are all musicians, and their class projects used lyrics, rhythm, and melody to depict new insights about the Wenatchee Watershed. Continue Reading →