Upcoming events
Life in a Peat Wetland: A Natural History of Bonaparte Meadows
Join Methow Valley Interpretive Center for a special presentation in partnership with the Okanogan Land Trust, on Bonaparte Meadows!
Calcareous fens are one of the rarest wetland types in the United States, and the Okanogan Highlands are home to several of these unique places. This talk — by not one but three local experts — explores the geology, botany, and human history of Bonaparte Meadows, the largest calcareous fen in our region. Although impacted by human and natural disturbance, this remarkable place still holds extraordinary benefits for rare plant life, for wildlife, and the surrounding landscape, as well as tremendous potential for restoration. In addition to the talk, we will share news about the campaign to protect this unique part of the landscape of Okanogan County, as well as the ways you can participate.
Meet the Speakers:
Julie Vanderwal is a Certified Ecological Restoration Planner based in Twisp.
Josh Wozniak is a professional wetland biologist with over 25 years experience delineating wetlands in the Puget Sound region and throughout the western US.
Dana Visalli is a botanist and editor of the Methow Naturalist.
Who's In My Creek? Say Hello to Macroinvertebrates, Mussels, Sponges and Crayfish of the Okanogan River Basin
The field crew at the Okanogan Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Program (OBMEP) has been collecting macroinvertebrate samples in the Okanogan River and its tributaries since 2009 and snorkeling the river since 2004. Sonya will discuss some interesting findings from the macroinvertebrate data over the years and she will discuss the population of western ridged mussels in the Okanogan River. She will introduce the new species of crayfish called the Okanagan crayfish and will show some GoPro footage from snorkel surveys of freshwater sponges.
Stay Tuned! There may be a field trip from 1pm-3pm on Sunday 31, 2026 associated with this presentation. We will announce the details at a later time.
Speaker: Sonya Schaller
Sonya Schaller was born and raised in Omak and has been with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation’s Okanogan Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Program since 2011. She conducts habitat assessments, stream flow monitoring and GIS analyses. Prior to working in the Okanogan Basin, she worked for Whatcom Conservation District and the US Forest Service after receiving her BS in Botany from Western Washington University.
Keep the Fire Burning
Traditionally, in some Indigenous cultures, stories and teachings were shared around the fire during the cold, snowy months as a way to educate youth, pass on culture, and keep family history alive.
Join us Saturday, February 21st for a night of story-telling that you won’t want to miss! Our guests of honor will be Native Elders Randy Lewis and Arnold Cleveland. There might even be some musical surprises!
Rites & Responsibilities ~ Marking Changes in the Cycles and Seasons of Our Lives
A special community event at the Methow Valley Interpretive Center on Sunday, February 1st, from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. Feel free to come early for tea and a slice of midwinter cake if you’d like.
Formation of the Moses Columbia Reservation in 1879 and Implications for Today
Join the Methow Valley Interpretive Center for the last “Last Sunday” talk of the year. Historian and ethnohistorical expert E. Richard Hart will provide an historical understanding of the Moses Columbia Reservation, which encompasses nearly the entire homeland of the Methow Tribe, and what that means for tribal and non-tribal people today. Richard will also share insights into the end of treating making in the United States and subsequent court rulings.
Date: Sunday October 26, 2025, 5:00 – 630 PM
Location: Twisp Valley Grange, Twisp, WA
*Please note the location for this event! Our Last Sunday talks are usually at MVIC, but this one will be at the Twisp Valley Grange.
E. Richard Hart has provided historical, ethnohistorical, and environmental historical services and expert testimony for North American tribes. As the former Executive Director of the Institute of the North American West, he organized a number of influential conferences. He authored/edited twelve books, published more than fifty articles and essays, and presented more than fifty professional papers here and abroad. He has testified before the U. S. Congress on numerous occasions and served as an expert witness for Native American Tribes in Canada and the United States, the United States Department of Justice, for states, and other entities. He has received a number of distinctions and awards, including the 2012 Washington State Peace and Friendship Award. His papers form a Special Collection at the University of Utah’s Marriott Library.
The Nature Immersion Program Fundraiser
Mark Your Calendars!
Friday, Sept 27 at TwispWorks, come out and show your support for the Nature Immersion Program: A nonprofit dedicated to strengthening connection to the land and to one another through hands-on education and advocacy.
For the past 3 school years, MVIC has proudly served as Nature Immersion’s fiscal sponsor so that they could have access to grant opportunities. Now, as an independent 501(c)(3), they’re raising funds to continue empowering 6–12th grade Tribal, BIPOC, and underrepresented youth across the Colville Reservation and Okanogan County through ecological leadership and environmental stewardship.
The evening will feature live music, Native art, food, and a silent auction, all in support of this super-impactful program!
