Methow Conservancy Events | Natural history related events in the Methow Valley

First Tuesday Lectures
The Methow Conservancy sponsors a monthly “First Tuesday Lecture Series”. The lectures provide a forum to learn about the Methow Valley’s natural characteristics and natural resource issues. Generally "First Tuesday" Lectures are held on the first Tuesday of the month. The place varies so please check each event for the location. All First Tuesday Lectures are free and open to everyone. For more information contact Mary at 996-2870 or info@methowconservancy.org

First Tuesday Lectures Coming Up:

Grizzly Bears and the North Cascades (TWO DATES)
Tuesday, July 6th 7:00pm - 8:30pm, at the Twisp Grange (refreshments provided)
Wednesday, July 7th 7:30pm - 9:00pm at the Mazama Community Center (after the community market and pizza night)

Author Dave Knibb will give an overview of the grizzly recovery program, and then discuss whether grizzlies are still in the North Cascades, how many, where they may be, and what is their future? Dave will also sell his book, "Grizzly Wars: The Public Fight Over the Great Bear," published by Eastern Washington University Press.

August 3rd: Classroom in Bloom, 7:00-8:30pm at the schoolyard garden. Join us for a tour of the amazing "Classroom in Bloom" schoolyard garden at the Liberty Bell campus. See and learn about how this garden program is on the cutting edge of an important national movement and is becoming a model for rural America. After a brief overview by Executive Director, Lexi Koch, garden staff will lead groups of program-goers to various sections of the large garden and share specific insights. Hand-crafted artisan pizza and garden-fresh veggies baked in the outdoor cob oven will be available for sale at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to everyone.

September 7th: Predicting Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions: What Can and Can't Now Be Done?, 7:00-8:30pm at the Merc Playhouse in Twisp. Dr. Stephen Malone of the University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Science will share the nuances of predicting disastrous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. What is the current state-of-the-art in making such predictions? An apparent paradox is that, while volcanic eruptions can often be predicted using earthquake data, there is currently no scientifically valid method of predicting earthquakes, despite claims often made in the popular press. This talk will cover some successful predictions of volcanic eruptions and compare these to some previous attempts at earthquake prediction. What is fundamentally different about earthquakes that make them so hard to predict? What are some promising avenues of research that may lead to success in the future? Finally, while not true prediction, how could earthquake early warning technology be used today to mitigate some earthquake hazards? Will accurate earthquake forecasting be possible in the near future or will we forever wonder when the next big earthquake will occur?