It's Back to School for CCD too!
Written by: Verónica Arroyo-Pérez
After a summer break away from student energy,
the CCD educators are coming out of hibernation!
We have missed the energy and curiosity of our students over the summer months. The entire team is incredibly eager to get back out there, reunite with familiar faces from past programs, and welcome a brand-new wave of future conservation champions!
Our fall calendar is already packed with hands-on outdoor lessons and adventures. Here is a sneak peek at what we are preparing for right now:
- Salmon Festival: Celebrating our famous keystone species
- Kids in the Forest: Learning the history of fire and the benefits to our local landscapes
- Kids in the Creek: Wading into water quality science
- Wheat Week: Where 5th graders connect natural resource topics to our local wheat and farming industry!
- One Planet Club: Field trip planning is underway for wildlife camera setups, native planting, and night-hikes!
We can't wait to partner with local school and organizations for another incredible school year of learning and exploring our natural world together!
-Amanda, Kirk, Laura and Verónica
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Education & Outreach Team cleaning out the closet and getting ready for back to school!
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Upper Left: Students wade into the creek for water quality education during Kids in the Creek
Lower Left: Mission View After School Program at Lake Wenatchee for Summer Camp
Upper Right: 5th graders spray the fire hose at Kids in the Forest
Lower Right: Students listen intently as Kirk describes the importance of beavers to salmon habitat during Salmon Fest
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September is Eat Local Month!
September is officially Eat Local Month in Washington State! Get out and enjoy what's fresh and in season while connecting with the land, sea, and the incredible people that make the Pacific Northwest a place of abundance and amazing flavor! There are many ways to savor the bounty we are SO fortunate to be surrounded by.
🚜 Go on a farm tour
🍎 Visit a farm stand
🥕 Explore a new farmers market
🐟 Learn about our region's rich seafood offerings
🍽️ Enjoy a meal from one of the many farm-to-table restaurants featuring local ingredients!
Learn more at https://eatlocalfirst.org/eat-local-month/
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Wildfire NCW website now live!
Building a Wildfire Ready Region Together.
This bilingual website has been in the works for nearly 5 years now, we want to extend a thank you to Our Valley Our Future, the Chelan County PUD, and all of the partners who had a voice in shaping this website. We hope it is a wonderful and useful tool for our communities. More information can be found on Wildfirencw.org, or fuegoncw.org
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Welcome Robin Buckingham!
Agricultural Program Manager
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Robin Buckingham started his career in Conservation Districts as an intern in 2013. Since then, he has been working with farmers and land managers across Western Washington at Thurston and Pierce Conservation Districts as well as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services. Most recently, he was based out of the Mount Vernon Field Office with USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Services where he worked with farmers in Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties. He joined Cascadia Conservation District as the Agricultural Program Manager in August of 2026 and is motivated to support the agricultural producers of Chelan County.
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Wenatchee River Salmon Festival
Saturday, September 19 from
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM — Free admission
Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center (5000 US-97 Alternate, Wenatchee, WA)
Interactive games, art projects, and live storytelling. Exhibits detailing the life cycle of migrating salmon and local conservation. Canoe-carving demonstrations, sacred stories, and Native American cultural presentations.
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CASCADIA CD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS
Sept 11, Oct 9 from 1:30-4:00 pm
at Cascadia’s office -
1350 McKittrick St, Wenatchee.
Call-in/Zoom options are available.
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Climate Smart Farm
Equipment Grant
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Washington Producers!
Don't miss this opportunity to get financial assistance covering a portion of the cost for eligible equipment for use in your on-farm production!
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Climate Smart Farm Equipment Grant opens and starts receiving applications on September 4, 2026, offering reimbursement for 75% to 85% of eligible equipment costs, up to $200,000 per farm, on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of $4.3 million is available to assist producers with purchasing equipment that improves climate resilience.
Although farms must apply individually, you can reach out to Cascadia for application support. Read the full details and FAQs here.
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The Eastside Rebuild Tool Library has 900+ tools, including a recently updated Farm and Food Tool Library! Several new tools include a BCS walk behind tractor with flail mower and spreader, a dehydrator, pressure canner, and freeze dryer! to learn more or get involved, visit Eastside Rebuild's website here.
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