A mountain chickadee is one of the birds watchers could see during the annual Christmas bird count.
Christmas Bird Count
The 34th annual Twisp Audubon Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Sunday (Jan. 2). Vaccinated participants will meet at the Cinnamon Twisp Bakery at 7 a.m., where they can get breakfast if they want. A potluck dinner and a count tally is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Craig Olson residence, 96A Benson Creek Drive, Twisp. To participate in this year’s event, contact Olson at (760) 518-0364.
All about the snowpack
The Methow Conservancy’s monthly First Tuesday presentation — “Pacific Northwest Snow”— will be offered for free via the Zoom platform starting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4. Email events@methowconservancy.org to get the link sent to you. Join Oregon State University professor and National Geographic Explorer David Hill for a discussion on the many ways that we learn about our snowpack. Hill will discuss what is changing, and by how much. A new “real-time” snowpack modeling system will be discussed and results for North Central Washington will be demonstrated.
The next First Tuesday presentation, on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. via Zoom, continues the snow theme. Author and Washington ski legend Lowell Skoog will offer excerpts and visuals from his new book, “Written in Snows,” in which he weaves together stories, trends and personalities from the past century to create a rich local history of skiing culture in Washington.
Hottell’s history classes
Registration is now open for Bill Hottell’s annual history class series for 2022, which will focus on Germany and central and eastern Europe and begin on Jan. 12.
Last year’s sessions were held online, but this year’s series will be conducted in person at the Methow Valley United Methodist Church on Wednesday mornings from 9-10:30 a.m. through mid-March. For that reason, Hottell said, the class sizes are limited and he urges early registration to reserve a spot. Proof of vaccination, masking and safe distancing will be required. To register, email billhottell@gmail.com with your name, telephone number and or email address, or call 997-6655.
Okanogan Highlands program
Okanogan Highlands offers “Okanogan Ice Islands: Nunataks,” a free program by George Thornton, on Jan. 7, 2022, exploring the high, craggy peaks rising to the west of the Okanogan that are home to unique plant communities.
Thornton, a high school teacher, botanist and lifelong nature enthusiast, will discuss various theories about local natural history and ecology using Chopaka Mountain as a primary example of several nearby Cascade peaks.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Tonasket Community Cultural Center, 411 S. Western Ave. For information, visit www.okanoganhighlands.org.
Watershed Council vacancy
Applications are being accepted for an open, at-large seat on the Methow Watershed Council. Interested individuals need to be residents of the Methow Valley, registered to vote in Okanogan County, with an interest in serving their community in regard to our shared water resources. Submit a letter of interest to methowwatershed@gmail.com by Jan. 14, 2022. Applicants will need to attend the Jan. 20 meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. Questions about the position can be sent to the same email address.
Natural history of the Methow
Dana Visalli will be offer a free, four-part Zoom program on the natural history of the Methow Watershed on Thursdays in January. The program, which will cover the flora, fauna, fungi and geology of the Methow from an evolutionary and ecological perspective, is sponsored by Methow At Home and the Methow Naturalist journal. The Zoom programs will be from 9-10:15 a.m. on January 6, 13, 20 and 27. Visalli will also be offering hands-on workshops those same evenings at The Cove II in Twisp for vaccinated naturalists. To register for the Zoom classes, go to the Methow At Home web page (https://methowathome.clubexpress.com). Email dana@methownet.com to register for the workshops.
Washington State Parks Fee Free days coming up
Washington State Parks will have 12 dates in 2022 when visitors won’t need a discover pass — the first on Jan. 1.
Other free days include January 17, March 9, March 19, April 22, June 11 and 12, June 19, Sept. 24, Oct. 10, Nov. 11 and Nov. 25.
