WRI Grow Your Own Mushrooms Workshop (Again!)
2025-06-15 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | WA
Wenatchee River Institute Presents-
Our previous offering of this workshop was wildly popular, so we are having it again! Since our last workshop filled quickly, those that weren’t able to attend last time now have another chance to experience the fun of learning about fungi.
Come learn how to grow your own mushrooms on logs, in containers, and in garden beds at this interactive workshop.
Our instructor, Seth Beu, has years of experience growing mushrooms for restaurants with his business Primordia Farms. He’s spent countless hours hanging out with various fungi in the forests and instructing workshops just like this one. Seth will bring this knowledge, and knowledge gained from Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Intensive Soil Food Web & Microscope course, to instruct you on growing your own edible mushrooms.
This course will be broken into 2 different sections.
The first section will be a lecture with free form Q&A throughout, and will cover:
– 3 different ways to grow mushrooms from start to finish
– Different growing substrates and field capacity
– How to create and use liquid culture, grain spawn, and inoculated straw
– How to pasteurize, sterilize, and avoid contamination
– Integrating mushrooms into the garden space
– What to do with your grow kit afterwards
The second section will be a hands-on, and will include:
– How to make a blue oyster mushroom and winecap mushroom kit to take home
– How to clone fungi you find in the forest
All supplies will be provided. If you prefer, you can bring your own reusable container, like a large, sterilized, lidded plastic container for your grow kit (a large yogurt container is perfect). Also, bring a notebook to take notes, there’s a lot of knowledge to learn!
This event will take place inside the Red Barn, a heated building. There is a wheelchair accessible path and bathrooms onsite.
Event Link

CONTACT INFO
Tiffa Theden
ttheden@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
5095480181

Mission Peak Area Plant Walk
2025-06-16 08:00 - 15:00 | WA
Who: Washington Native Plant Society
Leaders: Tracy Maynard
Difficulty: Moderate, 6 miles with 1,400 ft of elevation gain
Limit: 10
The primary goal of this hike is to see Anemone patens, prairie-crocus, but there are many other plants to be seen as well. Although common throughout the Rockies and western Canada, A. patens in the Wenatchee Mountains is disjunct and is the only population in Washington. For over forty years it had not been seen but has recently been “rediscovered” in the Mission Peak area. It is usually found near the edges of the retreating snow in the spring.
Participants will meet at Pybus Market in parking lot located on south side of building to carpool to the trailhead, returning to cars about 3:00 PM. This hike is moderately difficult. About 6-7 miles round trip from the access off of Liberty-Beehive road. Minimum distance, 4 miles round trip if road conditions favorable. The elevation gain is around 1100′. Good fitness, food and water will be needed. Wear hiking boots and wear layers for the weather. Participants should bring trekking poles and/or micro spikes as we definitely will be encountering snow as we hike above 6300’. Gaiters are recommended if you have them. We will use the plant list from the WNPS site for Mission Ridge Ski Area.
https://www.wnps.org/plant-lists/list?Mission_Ridge_Ski_Area_including_Mission_Ridge If you are interested in joining this hike, please email Tracy at tracymayn52@gmail.com

Becoming A Better Photographer 4-Part Series
2025-06-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Foothills Middle School, 1410 Maple St, Wenatchee, 98801, United States
This is a WenOut MEMBER ONLY 4-part Educational Series. Become a member now.
Looking to level up your photography game?? We have an opportunity waiting for you to join a professional photographer and WenOut board member Thom Schroeder for a fun, hands-on series all about capturing the beauty of the outdoors.
Location: Foothills Middle School
Details: Photography is a lifelong journey, and the great news is that anyone can improve their craft. In this four-part series, we’ll explore the development of three essential skills while incorporating assignments to help you apply them in your own work. This might seem daunting, but it’s meant to be accessible. We’ll steer clear of overly technical discussions about cameras and software, as there are plenty of resources available for that. All you need for this series is a camera (even your phone works) and a willingness to improve. While bringing a laptop to share your work would be beneficial, it’s not a requirement.
Session One: Tuesday March 25 6:30-8:00

Observation (90 minutes, includes a take-home assignment) We’ll dive into the first skill of becoming a better photographer: the art of observation. This involves being aware of your surroundings and learning to anticipate light, timing, and movement to create captivating images.

Session Two: Tuesday April 22 6:30-8:00

Visualization (90 minutes, includes a take-home assignment) In this session, we’ll focus on visualization—imagining your final photograph before capturing it. This includes aspects of composition and post-processing, considering what to include or exclude from the frame, and how to edit to achieve your envisioned result.

Session Three: Tuesday May 20 6:30-8:00

Manipulation (90 minutes, includes a take-home assignment) Often referred to as post-processing, this session will explore editing techniques while revisiting the first two skills to understand how they all integrate.

Session Four: June 17 6:30-8:00

Critique (90 minutes) Feedback is invaluable in the learning process. In our final session, we’ll review the photographs we’ve created and discuss ways to continue refining these three skills as we strive to become better photographers.

About Thom Schroeder:
Thom is a professional photographer with experience shooting across the country and in our local area. He runs a media and creative agency, Woolley Creative, collaborating with clients both locally and nationally. Thom and his family relocated to Wenatchee in 2018.
Spaces is limited, please reserve your spots below. Come to as many as you would like, you will select the ones you can attend when you register. If spots fill up, we will have a waitlist.
Become a member
REGISTER HERE

Wenatchee Run Club
2025-06-18 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-25 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-02 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-09 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Pybus, 3 N Worthen St, Wenatchee, WA, 98801, United States
This event is hosted by the Wenatchee Run Club

Event Summary: Wednesday night weekly

Description: Come join us from 5-7 pm at the Taproom by Hellbent at Pybus for check in. We will have a 5k group start run at 5:30pm or you can run on your own.
Stay and hang out! Hellbent will be offering 10% off after the run for all participants.
Location: The Taproom at Pybus
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556162716960

Tronsen Ridge
2025-06-21 07:00 - 15:00 | WA
Who: Washington Native Plant Society
Leader: Ted Alway
Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate; 3.5 miles with net elevation gain of 500’
Limit: 10
This walk showcases the great diversity of species found here, with many in flower that time of year. Expect to find over one hundred species, including many wild buckwheats, penstemons, phlox, paintbrushes, bitterroot and more. In addition, the views and geology on display are spectacular!
Participants will meet at the Peshastin Park-n-Ride to carpool to the trailhead near Haney Meadows, returning to the cars by 3pm. Bring snacks, lunch and water, wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the weather. Ted will email participants a plant list. If you are interested in joining this hike, please email Ted at alwaytedc@gmail.com

Buzzing for Pollinators: Celebrate With Us
2025-06-21 10:00 - 12:00 | WA
WSU Chelan Douglas Master Gardeners, Presented by our team from the pollinator garden in Leavenworth. This event directly precedes National Pollinator Week.
Event Link

Eightmile Lake
2025-06-24 08:00 - 16:00 | WA
Who: Washington Native Plant Society
Leaders: Don and Ann Schaechtel
Difficulty : Moderate, 7 miles with 1,400 ft of elevation gain
Limit: 8
The Eightmile Lake Trail is near the more popular Colchuck Lake trail, reached via the Icicle Road in Leavenworth. We will go midweek to avoid the crowds. There is good plant diversity due to moist and dry areas, serpentine soils, and of course, the lake itself. We will gain 1,400 feet of elevation in 3.3 miles on a good trail. Highlights include Shasta fern, black twinberry, scarlet paintbrush, and tiger lilies. A plant list is available at List (wnps.org). Sign up and receive more details by sending an email to don.safety@nwi.net

Birding by the River
2025-06-26 08:00 - 10:00 | WA
Go birding with staff from the Wenatchee River Institute at our campus by the Wenatchee River! All birding skill levels are welcome. Need binoculars? We have loaner binoculars that you can borrow.
We will enjoy birding this spring in Wenatchee on the second Thursday and in Leavenworth on the last Thursday of April, May, and June.
Trail difficulty level: beginner
Trail is wide enough for ADA access, but trails are gravel
Bathrooms available at the start and end of the walk
Meet outside the River Haus at 8am. This is a FREE event and no registration is needed.
Event Link

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181 ext 5

WRI Paint and Stroll
2025-06-27 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-03 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-10 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-11 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-07-18 13:30 - 14:30 | WA
Most Thursdays and Fridays at Village Art in the Park
Meet at the gazebo at 1:30pm. Paint and Stroll will last ~1hour
Free! Donations are appreciated
Get inspired by the amazing artists at the outdoor market, then join us for a short walk down to the river and take some creative time for yourself. Join the Wenatchee River Institute for this free program suitable for children and adults!
What’s provided?
-Guided nature walk to the Wenatchee River, 0.3 miles from the Front St Gazebo
-Simple supplies for drawing or watercolor painting
-Tips for beginners
-Time to create your own work of art!

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, x5

RELATED LINKS

Village Art in the Park

Confluence Health Adaptive Cycling
2025-06-27 15:00 - 19:00 | WA
Confluence Health has four adaptive cycling events planned for this year! These events are FREE and open to everyone in our community ages 7 to 105+ with cognitive, physical, and/or sensory disabilities. Outdoors for All will be providing a variety of adaptive bikes including handcycles, trikes, recumbents and tandems for participants to ride on the Loop Trail at their leisure. We will not be scheduling specific appointments so participants can drop in and ride at any time during event hours.
Please come join us at Walla Walla Point Park in Wenatchee on:

Saturday, May 31, 11:00 to 3:00
Friday, June 27, 3:00 to 7:00

Saturday, August 23, 11:00 to 3:00

Saturday, September 27, 11:00 to 3:00

Please see the attached flyers and distribute to anyone that might be interested in joining us. You are also welcome to post flyers and share on social media to help us get the word out. If you are interested in volunteering at any of these events, please let me know.
Please note: events will be cancelled if the Air Quality Index is > 150 per airnow.gov.

These events are made possible by the generous donors to the Confluence Health Foundation.
2025 Community Events – English
2025 Community Events – Spanish

WRI River Discovery Tour
2025-06-27 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-07-11 17:00 - 19:30 | WA
Friday, June 27, 2025
5:00 pm-7:30 pm

Wenatchee River Institute
347 Division St.
Leavenworth, WA 98826

Join Wenatchee River Institute, in partnership with Leavenworth Outdoor Center, on a relaxing evening paddle down the Wenatchee River. This is a guided trip that will introduce you to the plants (flora) and animals (fauna) of our diverse river area (riparian zone). You will learn how to be a better observer of nature and be introduced to river safety and navigation. This is a great way to build your nature skills and confidence on the river.
Limit – 10 participants – registration required
Included – Kayak or paddle board, Life vest (PFD), transportation from WRI
Difficulty level – Beginner to intermediate, recommended you have basic swimming ability.
Ages – 8 and older, an adult must accompany anyone 15 and younger.
Accessibility – Tandem kayaks are available.
Cost – Pay What You Can:
We offer the Pay What You Can model in recognition that paying for education programs looks different for different people.
These price suggestions are based on the costs to WRI to put on this program. If you want to attend this program, we want you to be there.
$50/person
This option may be for you if you are excited to support WRI, and attending this program doesn’t put a strain on your weekly budget.
$35/person
This option may be for you if your budget is tight, but still really want to attend this program and support WRI.
$60/person
Additional donation option to add a little extra so others can attend at a lower cost.
Event Link

CONTACT INFO
Joshua Schaub
jschaub@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, x5

Dirt Abides MTB Series
2025-06-28 07:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-29 07:00 - 14:00 | WA
Central knows a “Dude” when it hears one — and the Dirt Abides series is making some serious noise. This year our chapter will help sponsor and support the Dirt Abides mountain bike race series when it visits Wenatchee on May 3rd and 4th, Squilchuck State Park on June 28th and Mission Ridge on June 29th. We are excited that Dirt Abides is bringing premier cross country mountain bike racing to Central Washington in a big way.
The Central Chapter will be providing meals for every racer in exchange for a donation, so the more riders who participate, the more funds will be raised for local projects!
Riders can find all the important details at https://dirtabides.com/. Get these dates on your calendar and join in the fun.

June 28th – Sizzler, Squilchuck State Park
June 29th – Bomber, Mission Ridge

Sustainability Trivia Night
2025-06-28 19:00 | WA
Sustainable NCW invites you to our upcoming Sustainability Trivia Night on Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 PM at Watercore Cider, 19 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee. It’s free to attend, easy to join, and a great excuse to have some fun while learning something new. Even if you don’t compete and just want to watch and have fun, that’s fine, too!

Here’s how it works: each organization can bring a “team” (that can be just one person or several), and we’ll all compete for the honor of being the 2025 Sustainability Trivia Champions. Teams sign up at the door by 7:00 PM, and then the games begin—30 questions, plenty of laughs, and probably a few surprises.
Beyond bragging rights, this is a chance to learn more about sustainability, connect with others in the community, and just enjoy a relaxed night out. Watercore Cider will be serving up delicious pot pies (vegan options included), desserts, cider (hard and soft), and beer. It’s the perfect setting for good conversation and a little friendly competition.
We hope you can make it. No need to RSVP—just show up, sign in, and bring your trivia brain power. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Step Into Nature
2025-07-01 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-07-08 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-07-15 17:00 - 18:00 | WA
Do you want to take your family hiking or camping but feel unsure where to start, or wonder whether your family is even ready for outdoor adventures? Join friendly local experts from the Wenatchee River Institute & Wenatchee Outdoors for a low-pressure, fun-filled workshop series designed to help you explore the beauty of the Wenatchee area. Each indoor session will offer hands-on activities, games for kids, and tips for adults. Bring the whole family to one or all of the sessions on July 1st, 8th, and 15th at 5:00 pm. The fourth session on July 22nd will be an outdoor hike- location to be determined.
No registration required!

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, Ext 5

De Roux Creek Trail (North Fork Teanaway River)
2025-07-08 08:00 - 16:00 | WA
Who: Washington Native Plant Society
Leaders: Don and Ann Schaechtel
Difficulty: Moderate, 6 miles with 1,400 ft of elevation gain
Limit: 8
The De Roux Creek trail starts in open forest, soon passes a beautiful meadow, then follows De Roux Creek before climbing to reach an upper meadow. There is a lot to see on this trail–the plant list names over 200 species List. Highlights include elephants head, cliff penstemon, and Columbia lewisia. We will go midweek to avoid the crowds. Sign up and receive more details by sending an email to don.safety@nwi.net

WRI Wenatchee Bird Walk
2025-07-10 08:00 - 10:00 | WA
Go birding with staff from the Wenatchee River Institute by the Columbia River! All birding skill levels are welcome. Need binoculars? We have loaner binoculars that you can borrow.
We will enjoy birding this spring in Wenatchee on the second Thursday and in Leavenworth on the last Thursday of April, May, and June.
Trail difficulty level: beginner. Walk will be on paved and grassy level pathways. We will travel up to 1 mile round trip at an easy-going pace with frequent stops.
Bathrooms available at the start and end of the walk
Meet at Walla Walla Point Park at the North parking lot near the bathrooms at 8am and plan to be finished by 10am.
This is a FREE event and no registration is needed.
Event Link

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181 ext 5

Lake Astro Program
2025-07-12 22:30 - 23:30 | Lake Wenatchee State Park, 201 Washington St, Cashmere, WA, United States
About the Program
Grab a blanket or a chair and lay out under the stars on the beach of Lake Wenatchee South Park where WVAC members will answer your deepest cosmic questions, dive into the depths of the cosmos, explore our small harmonious Solar System, and massive chaotic celestial objects.
Every program is different in this series and is catered to the curious and imaginative. So, bring your deepest cosmic questions and let’s blast off into space!
This program is subject to cancellation or change based on weather conditions. Check back here or call 218 403-1345 to see if the program is cancelled or changed in anyway if weather looks inclement.
This program can be either telescope based or a constellation tour depending on wind.
Program Rules
During the program, please avoid the use of white light, red lensed lights are allowed. If you’re driving to the event, please try to avoid pointing headlights towards the beach while parking.
Please arrive 10 minutes early, dress appropriately for the weather and possible wind; insect repellant may be necessary. The event is free. Day use visitors will require a Discover Pass on their vehicle for parking.
Location
This program will take place on the large South Beach at Lake Wenatchee South Park. There will be a red-illuminated sign at the event. Please arrive early to avoid shining white lights onto the beach.
Cost
While this program is free, we do accept donations. All donations will be used to expand WVAC’s programming and outreach efforts. A Discover Pass ($30) or a Daily Permit ($10) is required for parking in State Parks, be sure to display this permit on your dashboard. A credit card machine is available in the parking lot.

Get Lost Trail Race
2025-07-13 07:30 - 12:00 | WA
Get Lost Trail Race
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Location: Lost Lake Group Camp, Colville National Forest, NF-33, Oroville, WA 98844

Event Summary:
Join Okanogan Highlands Alliance for the 7th Annual Get Lost Trail Race in the beautiful Okanogan Highlands on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Races include: 3 mile, 7 mile, and 11 mile options plus a *Free* kids run! All races begin and end at the US Forest Service Group Camp at Lost Lake in the Colville National Forest outside of Tonasket, WA.
Make it a weekend! Camping is available at the Group Camp on Saturday night, July 12 for race participants. Races take place Sunday morning. Learn more and register at: www.ultrasignup.com (search for Get Lost). If you have more questions and/or want to volunteer, contact us at: getlost@okanoganhighlands.org
Direct Link to more information and to register:
