Some prime shrub-steppe habitat near Twisp took a step closer to permanent protection, thanks to a state grant awarded to the Methow Conservancy. The Recreation and Conservation Office announced on June 27 that Methow Conservancy will receive a $427,319 critical habitat grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. The Conservancy is working with landowners […]
Methow Conservancy
RCO grants fund rec projects throughout the Methow Valley, Okanogan County region
State funds support trails, campgrounds, preservation Okanogan County projects will receive more than $3 million in grants through the state Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, the board announced last week. The grants include several major projects in the Methow Valley and adjacent areas. Altogether, the state allotted $126 million for 333 projects throughout the state […]
Practical processing
New slaughtering facility aims to help Methow Valley’s livestock producers It was early March, and Casey Smith had just returned from taking two dozen lambs to the closest federally inspected slaughter and processing facility, six hours each way on slick roads. “It’s a scenic drive, but super twisty and windy, with three mountain passes. Most processing […]
Conservancy buys ‘Mazama Corner’ parcel to secure river access
The Methow Conservancy announced this week that it recently purchased a 6-acre parcel at what’s known as the “Mazama Corner,” adjacent to the more than 30 acres of agricultural land that the locally based land trust has protected since 2005. The Mazama Corner area is the highly visible land between Highway 20 and the river […]
Conservancy acquires Heckendorn property adjacent to Winthrop
The Methow Conservancy announced this week that is has purchased what it described as “a 146-acre iconic hillside property” adjacent to Winthrop from Bob Heckendorn.
In a press release, the Conservancy said the purchase is “an important milestone that sets …
No housing shortage for bluebirds in the valley
As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, Western and mountain bluebirds are migrating back to the Methow Valley, and they’re finding new homes when they arrive.
Local residents volunteered time on a recent Saturday morning to install more than 40 bluebird nesting boxes at several sites …
Conservancy honors 5 local volunteers for exceptional work
Five local volunteers were recognized for their exceptional service at the Methow Conservancy’s annual holiday social and awards program on Tuesday (Dec. 5). Rachelle Weymuller and Val Stouffer share this year’s Susie Stephens Award for their volunteer service to the Conservancy’s Methow Grown project. Over the summer and fall, they contributed nearly 100 combined volunteer […]
‘Caribou Rainforest’ film highlights Methow Conservancy’s holiday party
The Methow Conservancy will host its annual holiday party on Tuesday (Dec. 5) at the Winthrop Barn. Author, photographer and educator David Moskowitz will also present a film, “Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest,” produced by the Mountain Caribou Initiative. The party, featuring drinks, appetizers and the Conservancy’s annual awards, begins at 6 p.m., and […]
Air quality topic for Conservancy’s ‘First Tuesday’
“Smoke in the Air: A community conversation about air quality and health” is the topic for the Methow Conservancy’s “First Tuesday” program on Oct. 3. The free program, at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp, begins at 7 p.m. Dr. Raleigh Bowden and Elizabeth Gribble Walker, PhD, with the Methow Valley Clean Air Project, will […]
Local recreation projects left in limbo without approval of state capital budget
Money for trail maintenance and bridge construction in the national forest, grooming of snowmobile trails, and prescribed burning to restore state wildlife areas have been left hanging because the state Legislature didn’t pass a capital budget before adjourning in June.
