Events Calendar

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Adults & Family Events

February 10, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
"Cottonwood and the River of Time: On Trees, Evolution, and Society"

Dr. Reinhard Stettler, Professor Emeritus of Forestry at the University of Washington, comes to the Barn to give a presentation featuring his book, "Cottonwood and the River of Time." The presentation looks at how scientists have unraveled the puzzles of the natural world. With a lifetime of work in forestry and genetics to guide him, Dr. Stettler celebrates both what has been learned and what still remains a mystery as he examines not only cottonwoods, but trees in general, their evolution, and their relationship to society. By offering lessons in how nature works, as well as how science can help us understand it, he illuminates connections between the physical, biological, and social worlds. In partnership with A Book for All Seasons.

February 17, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
"Working in the Northwest Woods"

Presentation by author Dennis Willard of his first-hand account of a decade spent in the outdoors in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Go on a tour of life inside the United States Forest Service when, as a first year seasonal, a young man who has spent his life in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri is transported to the Cascades. Follow him as he learns his way around the rugged terrain of big timber country. You will hear gripping accounts of encounters with wild weather, wild fire and wildlife, as this author takes you on a journey into the backcountry. In partnership with A Book For All Seasons.

February 24, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
"Play Again: What Are the Consequences of a Childhood Removed from Nature?"

The second offering in our winter "Films in the Barn" series. At a time when children play more behind screens than outside, PLAY AGAIN explores the changing balance between the virtual and natural worlds. Is our connection to nature disappearing down the digital rabbit hole?

This emotionally moving and humorous documentary follows six teenagers who, like the "average American child," spend five to fifteen hours a day behind electronic screens. PLAY AGAIN unplugs these teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure - no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no virtual reality.

Through the voices of children and leading experts including journalist Richard Louv, sociologist Juliet Schor, environmental writer Bill McKibben, educators Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, neuroscientist Gary Small, parks advocate Charles Jordan, and geneticist David Suzuki, Play Again investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature and encourages action for a sustainable future. Suggested donation: $5. Click here to view information about the multi-award winning film.

March 2, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
"Foodways and Byways: The Story of Food in North Central Washington"

The third offering in our winter "Films in the Barn" series. What can we learn from the past that can help us build strong local food systems today? This is the question that the Initiative for Rural Innovation & Stewardship (IRIS) explores in the recently released video, "Foodways & Byways: The Story of Food in North Central Washington."

In the half-hour video, people of Latino, Tribal and European descent share stories of past and present food harvest, processing and distribution practices that work. Through a tapestry of music, video and photographs viewers hear from oldtimers what worked and from young people why it matters. First-hand interviews show how growing, harvesting and sharing food strengthens community and family bonds. Video will be followed by Q&A discussion. In partnership with IRIS.

March 16, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
"The History of Fish & Fishing in North Central Washington"

Dennis Dauble, a long time Northwest resident and expert in regional fish and waterways, will be coming to give a talk on the history of fish and fishing in North Central Washington and Columbia Basin. Dennis will address historic fishing practices of local tribes, speak to the impact of white settlement on aquatic resources, and also discuss contemporary conflicts between our public values and resource management policies.

Dennis is intimately acquainted with our local watersheds, and will speak on issues that should be important and fun for any angler or resident of the area. He will be staying after to sign copies of his award-winning book, "Fishes of the Columbia Basin." In partnership with Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group and A Book for All Seasons.

Friday, March 30, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
Shadows in the Forest: Gray Wolves in Washington State

Feared, reviled and revered, the wolf has always evoked powerful emotions in humans. It has been admired as a powerful hunter; feared for the threat it is imagined to pose to humans; reviled for its depredations on domestic livestock and revered as a potent symbol of the wild. Wolves have faced the wrath and scorn of mankind for many years. The Gray Wolf's remarkable comeback is one of the great conservation successes of our time. A new public ethic toward the wolf and other endangered species has given new life to wolves in Washington State. This presentation by wildlife biologist Gus Bekker examines wolf ecology, history, and preservation and opens a new discussion on the value of preserving this and other species to roam freely on this planet earth.

April 20, 2012, 7 PM, in the Barn
"Among Penguins: A Birdman in Antarctica"

Ice, penguins, and the cold comforts of living and working in Antarctica will be featured in a lively slide show by 26-year-old Oregon birder and author Noah Strycker. Strycker spent three months during the Antarctic summer researching and photographing a quarter-million Adélie Penguins. He slept in a tent in below-freezing temperatures, endured howling blizzards, and spent his days in the 24-hour sunshine watching loud, active, and smelly two-foot-tall penguins go about their business nesting, fighting, incubating, waddling, feeding, napping, sliding, diving, and swimming. Strycker recounts his experiences on the coldest, windiest, driest, least populated, highest, and most remote continent in this entertaining and interesting program.

Noah is well known to birders in the Northwest and nationwide. He grew up in rural Oregon, where he caught the birding bug in fifth grade. He became something of a birding prodigy, recognized by the American Birding Association with their "Young Birder of the Year" award. Four years ago, he graduated magna cum laude from Oregon State University after winning several prestigious national scholarships.

Although he is only 26 years old, Noah has an amazing resume. He has published numerous articles and photographs about birds in all major birding magazines, has contributed to journals and books, and is the associate editor of "Birding" magazine. OSU Press released his new book, "Among Penguins: A Bird Man in Antarctica" in 2011. When he's not writing and editing, he works as a bird researcher on short-term projects in adventurous places around the world. In partnership with A Book for All Seasons. Book sales and signing available.

May 17-20, 2012, 6 AM-11 PM
Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

Come and celebrate the tenth annual spring bird festival. Bus tours, easy walks, challenging hikes, wildflower walks, art shows, kids' events, entertainment and more all focused on the spring migrations and nature in the beautiful Wenatchee River Valley. Something for everybody!

Last Updated: January 31, 2012