WILDLIFE AND NATURE STUDIES
The Methow Valley is defined by its natural beauty, and students of nature will not be able to resist visiting the Valley's quiet corners and diverse habitats. Winter offers a special opportunity for naturalists, young and old, to learn about the fascinating adaptations that winter creatures make to survive the challenges of harsh conditions, or to follow an animal track, revealing the story of its travels and patterns on snow. The Big Valley Trail (multi-use and free) can take you on a self-guided tour of the Valley's natural wonders with the help of its 7 interpretive signs. If you prefer to sign up for a class to get a jump-start on your knowledge of place, there are plenty of options: Nature of Winter Tours - The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) hosts snowshoe tours throughout the winter. Local naturalists lead the tours which are about winter ecology, wildlife and tracks, snow and more. These family-friendly tours leave from the North Cascades Basecamp and Sun Mountain Lodge at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays and holidays. Visit the MVSTA website, www.mvsta.com for exact dates. Tours last 90 to 120 minutes. $5 snowshoe pass required. Rentals, passes and maps available at Sun Mountain Lodge, Mazama Ski Shop, Methow Cycle and Sport, or Winthrop Mountain Sports. Methow Wilderness School - Methow Wilderness School offers students the opportunity to deepen their connections to the natural world through wildlife tracking and naturalist training. Whether you schedule a private class or join a day-long workshop, you'll gain knowledge that will stay with you for a lifetime. Experience the beautiful Methow Valley while skilled instructors help you see more, hear more and be more present in your natural surroundings. www.methowwildernessschool.com North
Cascades Basecamp - We are hosting weekly natural history
lectures (campfire series during summer, soup night series during
the winter), retreats and workshops take place throughout the summer
and winter seasons. Our mission is to "to inspire and cultivate
connections to the natural world through art, education, and field
study programs". See our website at http://www.northcascadesbasecamp.com/programs
for more information on our myriad of upcoming programs. Methow Conservancy - Keep an eye on the Methow Conservancy website. On the 1st Tuesday of each month, the local land trust offers an evening program, more often than not related to nature studies. Always high quality, always free and open to the public. www.methowconservancy.org
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