Step into a spring morning at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery and explore the riverfront with two guides who make nature come alive. Mark Johnston from NCW Audubon will lead a relaxed hike where you will spot resident birds, early migrants, and learn what to watch for as the seasons change. Along the way, Paul Tomas from the local astronomy club will share how migrating birds use the night sky and how light pollution affects their journey. You will discover simple ways you can help protect both birds and the stars above. We will hike at a slow birders' pace for about 2 miles. This is a free event! Presenters: Mark Johnston, NCW Audubon's Conservation Chair & Paul Tomas, Founder of Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club Additional info: Audubon will provide binoculars, but if you have your favorite set, feel free to bring them along! Wear weather appropriate clothing and expect to walk on uneven terrain. Ages 8 and up. Disclaimer: By signing up for this event, you acknowledge that your name, email, and phone number will be shared with NCW Audubon and the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club. This is not a Wenatchee River Institute event.
Apr
24
Fri · 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Annual fashion show featuring wearable art made from recycled and repurposed materials. Come check out the creative pieces built by your neighbors! There will be four design team categories this year: adult, middle and high school youth, elementary youth, and family. Prizes are available for each category, plus a People's Choice Award where audience members will get to vote for their favorite outfit.
Jun
13
Sat
Spend two full days in the Cascades around Leavenworth, with professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, educator and author, David Moskowitz. This wildlife track and sign evaluation is offered through CyberTracker North America. David's approach to this class is highly interactive, engaging participants in identification and interpretation of tracks and signs. There is lots of time for questions and discussion built in. The style of this class is an excellent way to learn about animal sign and investigate real life tracking scenarios. Participants have the chance to achieve a certificate at the end of the class, awarded on three levels. Prior CyberTracker students can take this class to attempt evaluation at a higher level. CyberTracker courses provide an opportunity for quality, focused learning with some of the best trackers in the country. Courses are designed to further participant's tracking knowledge, as well as to rigorously test and document their current tracking skill set. Originally designed to help African Bushmen gain employment on game preserves, these courses also provide an internationally recognized certification of tracking ability. Certifications are an important credential for wildlife researchers and environmental educators as well as for people who want to test and push their own ability. Evaluations are entirely field based, striving to expose participants to the widest range of tracks and signs as possible. Discussions are encouraged, giving participants a chance to air their thoughts and receive individualized instruction.
May
17
Sun
The Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, put on by the Wenatchee River Institute and North Central Washington Audubon Society, occurs every 3rd weekend in May. The annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest promotes conservation through educational and recreational activities about birds, wildlife, and their environments. Come bird with us, discovering the natural beauty and wonders of North Central Washington! Celebrate the return of migratory birds in the midst of peak wildflower season. Enjoy the excitement of birding field trips and workshops. Take part in speaker events, music, visual arts, picnics, and activities for all ages and abilities. All of this is happening in beautiful Leavenworth, WA and throughout the Wenatchee River Valley. Bird Fest happens in association with World Migratory Bird Day. Bird Fest contributes a list of all birds seen during the festival to eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related community science project. Registration for all trips and events opens Wednesday, March 25th. For all current Bird Fest info, click the link below! Help us give special thanks to our lead partner, NCW Audubon Society, and our 2026 Bird Fest Title Sponsor, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort! Thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible: Hotel Pension Anna, Sage Mountain Natural Foods, Obertal Inn, South Restaurants, Leavenworth / Pine Village KOA, Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co., Ludwig's German Restaurant, Icicle Brewing Company, Colchuck's Leavenworth, Winton Manufacturing, Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, Blue Elk Inn, North Cascades Heating & Cooling, Riverfront Rock Gym, Schocolat, Mike West Leavenworth Realty, Walleye Cards, A Book for All Seasons, Leavenworth Coffee Roasters, and Osprey Rafting.
Apr
1
Wed · 7:00 PM
Join local packrafting enthusiast Jon Strahl for a slideshow presentation and discussion on exploration, climate change, and glaciers. The Alsek is a free flowing river the size of the Columbia that cuts through two 16,000’ tall mountain ranges, and runs through three major protected areas: Kluane National Park and Reserve in the Yukon, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska. These parks form part of the largest contiguous protected wilderness area in the world. Over numerous trips down different parts of the river, Jon has witnessed the changing landscape. Many locals and visitors in the Wenatchee Valley are drawn by adventure and connection to landscape — whether that’s through packrafting, kayaking, climbing, or simply appreciating mountains and rivers. This slideshow and these stories can resonate with this shared spirit of exploration: - Highlighting parallels between remote river travel and local outdoor adventures. - Sparking curiosity and pride in local landscape storytelling. - Inspiring people to reflect on why wild places matter — whether it’s the Alsek or the Wenatchee River right in our backyard.
Apr
10
Fri · 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
LIVE ONLY! This Red Barn Event will NOT be streamed or recorded. No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event! Doors to the Red Barn open at 6:30pm for a community social with beer and wine available for purchase. The film will start just after 7:00pm. Run time is 52 minutes and will be followed by a panel discussion with Washington Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Valley of the Bears follows bears and humans in the Bella Coola Valley, British Columbia. A coexistence way of life is being adopted, however, human-bear conflict is on the rise. We hope that local residents will find parallels between the lessons learned in other communities and those of us who live with black bears in the Cascades. Consider joining us on Saturday, April 11th at the Black Bear Bonanza for a full day of talks, discussions, and demonstrations all about black bears! Director Rob Murray is an award-winning Bristol based Documentary Filmmaker, with a background in wildlife cinematography and character-led documentary filmmaking. Rob's work focuses on contemporary documentary filmmaking, driven by inspiring characters, wildlife spectacles, with storytelling at its very core. Broadcast credited roles include: Self-shooting PD, Camera Operator, Underwater Camera, Sound Recordist and Editor. He has worked along side some of the best in the industry, including award-winning Director of Photography, Robin Cox (“Human Planet”) and Oscar-winning Director, James Reed (“My Octopus Teacher”) and award-winning Executive Producer, Wolfgang Knopfler ("The Ivory Game"). Film Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved.
Apr
21
Tue · 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Do you love the beautiful natural areas and gardens at WRI? Are you interested in learning about the native plants that grow here, and ways to protect them and the ecosystem they are a part of? Join our newly rebranded Nature Menders Volunteer Group! You will learn all about the common invasive plant species that threaten the local native plant and animal communities here in Leavenworth, all while helping to increase biodiversity at WRI. Tools and gloves will be provided but bring your own if you have something special you prefer using. Dress is layers appropriate for the weather, bring your reusable water bottle, and get ready to get your hands dirty! Nature Menders will meet weekly during Spring and early Summer on Tuesdays from 8:30am-10:30am. We will meet at the far end of the parking lot by the Raven and Nest sculpture, at the top of the Native Plant Garden. Stay for as little or as long as you like. Your help is greatly appreciated! The more hands the merrier when it comes to caring for our native plant neighbors. Please email Tiffa to let them know you plan to attend and sign our 2026 Volunteer Waiver online before arriving.
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