There is only one Methow Valley in the world – and it is a complex and fascinating place. Look closely and you realize there is so much to explore and discover about this Valley.
We believe it is important to make it easy for you to learn about caring for this place and so we have gathered together some of the best resources we can for you here. Dig as deep and as far as you wish – and if you are curious about other topics, email us your questions.
The Methow Valley is facing increased development pressure and significant public policy decisions are being made about land use. To ensure non-profits, municipalities, government agencies, elected officials, and community members have a consistent source of data and information, we have launched the State of the Methow, a data collection and dissemination project about the Methow Watershed and its people.
When you first move to the Methow Valley you are bound to have a lot of questions, so we created the Good Neighbor Handbook to introduce you to some of the most important natural features of living thoughtfully in the Valley. We just finished an update to the popular Handbook and we're excited to share it with you.
The free Handbook covers topics like: living with wildlife, fire, and a variety of habitats, dark skies, recreation, and more. We've also added lots more resources on a special Good Neighbor Handbook website, so you can dive deep into topics that interest you.
We'd be glad to mail you a copy of the new Good Neighbor Handbook -- just email us -- or you can view it all online here.
Launched in the spring of 2021, the Methow Bear Aware Campaign is an effort focused on promoting a healthy local black bear population and a community active in reducing conflict.
We hope you'll enjoy visiting our new 2.5 mile walking trail system near Winthrop. The Meadowlark Natural Area is a 139-acre property that serves as a beautiful backdrop to the Town of Winthrop. We've created a free public access trailhead and a scenic walking/hiking/running trail offering stunning views of the Valley. To find maps, directions, and more information, please click here. NOTE: Each year, we close the Meadowlark Natural Area during the month of March to give the mule deer and other animals a chance to enjoy the spring green up. The Trails will open again on April 1st.
We are grateful to Phil and Cathy Davis for introducing us to the idea of a Spirit Easement.
A Spirit Easement is a way for any current landowner in the Methow Valley to acknowledge that their property is open and welcoming to all spirits of deceased Methow People and that as current landowners, with a good heart, you welcome those spirits to access, inhabit, or use in any other way this property as part of their Spirit Homeland. Like any legal easement, it runs permanently with the land.
To learn more and see a template for a Spirit Easement, click here.
Significant wildfires in the last five years are an all-too real reminder that fire is a part of this landscape. We’ve curated some of the best info we could find to help you think about how to prepare your property for fire or if you have questions about the Valley’s recovery from fire.
Click here to get updated information on Burn Bans, campfire restrictions, and chainsaw use.
Water is the lifeblood for wildlife, farming, and recreation here in the Methow Valley. The laws and rules that govern it are also some of the most complex and contentious public policies. We aim to provide you with links to resources to help you dig in deeper on all things water. Click here to see our water links.
Like much of the mountain West, the Methow Valley is home to its share of botanical villains. There are a few especially noxious weeds that you’ll want to pay special attention to. Learn more about them in our on-line weed guide.
We know there a million great resources out there for the avid birder (or aspiring avid birder). But, for the rest of us who might just like to appreciate the beautiful songs or calls of some of our Methow spring residents, we thought it might be fun to create a short web resource of 15 Bird Songs/Calls you might hear in the Methow this spring.
This handbook is for anyone who lives on or cares for shrub-steppe lands – those semi-arid hillsides and plateaus dominated by perennial grasses and shrubs like bitterbrush or sage. It provides guidance on protecting and restoring shrub-steppe habitat on a small scale, strategies for weed control, and ways to rehabilitate the land after disturbances like new driveways, septic fields, and homesites. Pick up a free copy at our office in downtown Winthrop, or email us to mail one to you.
| Download here in PDF Form: | |
| Pages 1-7 | Pages 22-24 |
| Pages 8-15 | Pages 25-29 |
| Pages 16-18 | Pages 30-35 |
| Pages 19-21 | Pages 36-39 |
| Page 40 | |
We recognize that sometimes caring for the land means seeking expert advice or help. Our staff is always available to answer questions or point you in the direction of those more knowledgeable than us. We have pulled together an ever-changing Land Stewardship Yellow Pages, listing individuals, organizations, businesses, and other websites or books with expertise in different areas of land stewardship. While we can’t officially endorse anyone on the list, we can let you know who is out there to help.