Methow Valley Citizens Council

Methow / Carlton Listening Session
2024-06-02 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Methow Community Club, 6 Arkansas Ave, Methow, WA, 98834, United States
Please join Methow Valley Citizens Council and Clean Air Methow to:

Share your thoughts and ideas about local environmental and land-use issues impacting your community

Meet MVCC Staff

Learn about MVCC program initiatives and shared challenges in the Methow and Okanogan valleys

Home Electrification Spring Forum
2023-05-25 17:00 - 18:30 | Winthrop Library, Winthrop, WA, United States
Hosted by Resilient Methow, a program of MVCC.
Learn how you can take advantage of incentives and rebates to electrify your home and take climate action! Hear from Rewiring America, local utilities, Washington State Energy Office, and a local contractor. Join us in person or online.
Save your spot here!

MVCC Book Club
2022-10-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Winthrop Library, Winthrop, WA, United States
MVCC BOOK CLUB: Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. Join MVCC and Resilient Methow in a facilitated book club reading of this acclaimed climate fiction novel published in 2020. We’ll reflect on what parallels exist between Robinson’s perhaps not-so-fictional near future and our present, and look to the Methow Valley’s Climate Action Plan as a guide for how we as a community can adapt and build climate resiliency. Click here to sign up

Ashnola Declaration Presentation
2022-07-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Methow Valley Interpretive Center, Twisp, WA
In April 2022, the sməlqmíx (Lower Similkameen Indian Band), the syilx people of the Similkameen Valley, designated a new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in their territory. The Ashnola IPCA declaration upholds the inherent jurisdiction and responsibility of the sməlqmíx to protect and manage their territories according to sməlqmíx / syilx law. In accordance with sməlqmíx / syilx law, the sməlqmíx (Lower Similkameen Indian Band) expect that all who interact within
nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ (the Ashnola) will take the necessary steps to bring themselves into good
standing with the siwɬkʷ (water), tmxʷulaxʷ (land), sluxʷluxʷncut (air), and the tmixʷ
(life force within all four sacred ecosystems).
The Ashnola River is a tributary of the Similkameen that flows out of the North Cascades just north of the U.S. border in British Columbia. The Similkameen flows into the U.S. in its last miles before joining the Okanogan River near Oroville. The declaration is an important step in bringing a stronger indigenous voice to land management in our region. Join us in this discussion with state, federal and tribal land managers about what the Declaration means and what its significance is.

Forest Restoration Strategy “Town Hall” Webinar
2022-06-29 18:00 - 20:00
Bill Gaines and Derek Churchill, both experts in east Cascade forest ecosystems, will help to orient us to what the forest restoration strategy is in the east Cascades, why it is critical to implement for the health and fire resiliency of the forest, and how projects fit into the strategy. Attendees are encouraged to submit their questions beforehand here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q9LS8H7 Bring your questions and come ready to learn all about a forward thinking, landscape-scale restoration strategy!
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Methow Wildlife Area Public Workshop
2022-06-28 18:00 - 20:00
WDFW will be hosting this public workshop at the Winthrop Barn to discuss development of a new Methow Wildlife Area Management Plan. Attendees will have the opportunity to comment on the planning process including recreation management of the 34,600 acre Methow Wildlife Area.

The Confluence Forum on Water- Local Orgs present on Local Water Issues
2022-06-25 13:00 - 16:00
Organizations will give brief presentations about the work they are doing as it pertains to securing and protecting an ongoing water supply for people, agriculture and the natural systems and wildlife in the Methow Valley. The Methow Watershed Council and other organizations will be available to provide more detailed information about their work and answer questions from individual attendees.
WATER, WATER EVERYONE!
Come and meet the people behind the work.
Bring your questions.
Learn about the projects.
Organizations confirmed to attend to date are:
Methow Beaver Project
Methow Conservancy
Methow Valley Citizens Council
Okanogan Conservation District
US Forest Service
Cascade Fish
Trout Unlimited
1-4 pm at the Webb Shelter in Twisp Park on Saturday, June 25.

How to Build Smoke-Ready Communities
2022-06-15 17:30 - 18:30
Liz Walker of Clean Air Methow will give a talk and
answer questions about how to build smoke-ready
communities at the Winthrop Library at 5:30p.m.

MVCC Adopt a Highway Clean Up between Winthrop & Mazama
2022-06-15 08:00 - 10:30 | Winthrop Barn, 51 N Hwy 20, Winthrop, 98862, United States
Join MVCC Staff and members in the clean up of Adopt a Highway section of Highway 20 between between Winthrop and Mazama (mileposts 189-191).
Volunteers will meet at 8am at the Winthrop Barn and then carpool to the clean up area.
Clean up equipment and reflective vests will be provided.
SIGN UP REQUIRED AT: https://forms.gle/m1rv2Cv5TfewpuvP6
Questions? E-mail drew@mvcitizens.org

Clean Air Methow’s “The Fifth Season”
2022-06-11 10:30
A series of audio stories featuring Okanogan community
members sharing their coping strategies for
wildfire smoke will be featured in the grand opening
of the new Winthrop Library at 10:30 a.m.

Sideyard Shindig-2022 Member Meeting
2022-06-09 16:00 - 18:00
Join MVCC staff, board, members, and guests for our annual members meeting on June 9th outside our office in Twisp (305 E. Methow Valley Highway). This will be a family friendly, social gathering with plenty of opportunities to learn about MVCC’s programs and recent work, converse with staff, and mingle with fellow members. Members* are welcome and encouraged to bring others from their household. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. More details and information about how to vote in our board elections to follow.
*Not yet a member? Join today or register at the event.
Let us know you’re coming. RSVP here.

Enloe Dam Presentation
2022-05-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Tonasket Cultural Center, 411 Western Ave, Tonasket, WA
Enloe Dam: Beneath, Behind, Below
An update of recently collected information regarding volume of sediment, sediment composition, fish production and more.
Presenters include:

Washington Department of Ecology
U.S. Geological Service
National Marine Fisheries Service
Interfluve Environmental Services
Aboriginal Outfitters

Location: Community Cultural Center
411 Western Ave, Tonasket, WA 98855
Can’t make it in-person? This event will be streamed here:
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Free Waste Disposal-Chipping Drive at Twisp Transfer
2022-04-29 10:00 - 15:00 | Twisp Transfer Station, 12 Twisp Airport Rd, Twisp, 98856, United States
Free Chipping Drive
Help keep our spring air clean by chipping your yard waste instead of burning!
It is spring! In the Methow Valley that means abundant Arrowleaf blooms and the burning of woody debris piles. Clearing out woody debris and yard waste around homes and properties is a vital part of being fire-wise and improving forest health. Lots of outdoor pile burning however—especially piles of green branches—contributes to poor air quality at a time when the skies should be clear. In late summer we expect smoke from wildfires. How can we reduce our smoke at other times of year to protect those who are most vulnerable to cumulative smoke exposure?
Clean Air Methow is partnering with Resilient Methow and Okanogan County Solid Waste with funding from Washington Department of Ecology to waive fees for Green Waste Disposal on April 20, 22 and 29 at the Twisp Transfer Station. This is a great opportunity to reduce fuel load around your house while avoiding contributing to smoky skies.
When: April 20, 22 and 29 10a.m. to 3p.m.
Where: Twisp Transfer Center
Cost: Free!
Details about what material will be accepted can be found here.

Methow Recycles Earth Day Event
2022-04-23 15:00 - 19:00 | John Doran Ranch
Mark your calendars for April 23rda at 3pm! Methow Recycles will be holding an Earth Day celebration at John Doran ranch. There will be music, food and beer. MVCC will be tabling. We hope to see many familiar faces after a long winter with hardly any events. You can buy tickets for the event on Methow Recycles website.

Free Yard Waste Disposal-Chipping Drive at Twisp Transfer
2022-04-22 10:00 - 15:00 | Twisp Transfer Station, 12 Twisp Airport Rd, Twisp, 98856, United States

Free Yard Waste Disposal--Chipping Drive at Twisp Transfer
2022-04-20 10:00 - 15:00 | Twisp Transfer Station, 12 Twisp Airport Rd, Twisp, 98856, United States

Curbside Chipping Event--for Twisp Residents
2022-04-17 | Twisp, Twisp, WA, 98856, United States
Free Curbside Chipping Drive for Twisp Residents
Help keep our spring air clean by chipping your yard waste instead of burning!
It is spring! In the Methow Valley that means abundant Arrowleaf blooms and the burning of woody debris piles. Clearing out woody debris and yard waste around homes and properties is a vital part of being fire-wise and improving forest health. Lots of outdoor pile burning however—especially piles of green branches—contributes to poor air quality at a time when the skies should be clear. In late summer we expect smoke from wildfires. How can we reduce our smoke at other times of year to protect those who are most vulnerable to cumulative smoke exposure?
Twisp Public Works, Clean Air Methow and Resilient Methow will be coming through town to chip your yard debris piles starting on April 18th & 19th. No need to pre-register. Simply place your piles curbside no later than Sunday night, April 17th. Chipping will begin at 8am on Monday morning until finished (may be Tuesday or Wednesday). In order for your piles to be accepted they must meet the following criteria:

Piles should be made up of woody limbs and branches only, no shorter than 2’ long and no larger than 6” Inches in Diameter. It is ok if limbs and branches have leaves and needles on them.

The following materials will not be accepted: noxious weeds, sod, root balls, piles of pine needles, slash piles or leaves, animal waste, garbage of any kind, metal, plastics, lumber or treated wood, construction debris/materials, and paper.

Piles must be hand piled with all stems of brush and trees facing the same way. Place all stems of trees and brush on the sidewalk or shoulder perpendicular to street, with all cut ends pointing in the same direction towards the street.

Piles must be easily accessed by a truck pulling a chipper. As close to the roadway as possible without blocking access.

Limit Pile size to no more than 5’ wide x 10’ long x 5’ high. Make multiple piles if needed.

If the pile (or part of the pile) does not meet specifications, a “pile cannot be chipped” tag will be left.

Piles placed in alleyways rather than the town streets will not be chipped.

Chips will be free for the taking at the end of Lincoln Street in the town park starting at 2pm on Monday, 4/18. You do not need to participate to receive chips and can be picked up without pre-arrangements and will be self-load.
Find out more about the event here.

Climate Action Celebration
2021-09-25 12:00 - 15:00 | Twispworks, 502 S. Glover Street, Twisp, WA, 98856, United States

Wildlife Speaker Series: Understanding Bird Song
2021-09-02 18:30 - 20:00 | Confluence Gallery, Twisp, WA
Bird songs and vocalizations are beautiful and enchanting but how do we understand what they’re saying? In this talk David Lukas will introduce us to some of the ways birds make and use their songs, and how we study bird songs.
RSVP for this talk.
Speaker Series Overview: to deepen our knowledge and appreciation of the wildlife species native to our area, MVCC will be hosting a speaker series at the Confluence Gallery on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8pm during the exhibit. All events are free and open to the public. Appropriate Covid protocols requested, please bring a mask.

Cascadia: Art Exhibit Opening
2021-08-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Confluence Gallery, Twisp, WA
This August and September, MVCC is partnering with the Confluence Gallery in Twisp to bring you an art exhibit and speaker series, CASCADIA: Flora, Fauna & Terra of the North Cascades. The exhibit will feature painters, sculptors and jewelry artists celebrating the Cascadia bioregion. A portion of the profits from this show will be donated to MVCC to support our work protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat along the east slope of the Cascades. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 14 from 5-7pm. The exhibit will run from August 11 to September 26.

Comp Plan Commenting Workshop
2021-02-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar
Do you care about the Methow’s future? Do you want to protect the valley’s natural environment and rural character for generations to come? Then it’s vitally important that you submit comments on Okanogan County’s proposed Comprehensive Plan.

Hear about the various alternative visions for the future of the Methow Valley
Learn through an open discussion of the current comp plan and a deep dive into what
we need in order to protect the long-term integrity of our community.
Prepare your comments and make your voice heard!

To participate in the commenting workshop, register here.

Resilient Methow - Climate Action Plan for the Methow Watershed
2020-12-10 17:00 - 19:00
We hope you will join us on Thursday, December 10th, from 5 – 7 pm PST for a community forum on Resilient Methow – Climate Action Plan for the Methow Watershed. Resilient Methow is a collaborative effort led by locally-based organizations, local, state, federal agencies, and community leaders. We have been working to create a future where our community, economy, and natural environment are adaptable, healthy, and vibrant. During this forum, you will learn about the Climate Action Plan for the Methow Watershed, including recommendations on how our community can reduce its carbon footprint. Plus, strategies that individuals, organizations, and local governments can employ to prepare and adapt as the climate continues to change. This forum will also be an opportunity to learn how community members can contribute their voice to the Climate Action Plan for the Methow Watershed and hear about how aspects of the plan will be implemented starting in 2021.
Register: bit.ly/resilientmethowmeeting
Learn More: resilientmethow.org

MVCC Webinar - Twisp Restoration Project Draft EA - Key Findings
2020-11-11 18:00 - 19:00
During this hour-long webinar MVCC staff will present an overview of the project, highlight key findings and priorities based on its own review of the Draft EA as well as observations made on the ground, and provide guidance to the Methow Valley community on how they can submit their own comments to the Ranger District.
Registration is required for this event: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jyiFWkzWSpmrqxIjoBcEnA

Smoke-Ready Community Workshop
2020-11-02 18:30 - 19:30
Imagine us a “Smoke-Ready Community…”
• With safe, clean indoor air for everyone during oppressive wildfire smoke such as suffered this September.
• Where everyone understands how to access and interpret air quality data, and apply it for decision making in their lives.
• Without smoke from unnecessary burning.
• Taking measures to protect everyone’s health so living with smoke from wildfire and forest health initiatives didn’t feel so hard.
Your participation is requested to develop a plan to create this community. Clean Air Methow, the Okanogan River Airshed Partnership, the Colville Reservation Air Quality program, EPA, FEMA and the Federal Reserve Board of San Francisco have collaborated to host this interactive workshop.
Presentations will lay a foundation to describe our current sources of smoke and air pollution and forecast what we can expect with hotter, drier, and smokier summers to come. We’ll define a “smoke-ready community” then break into small discussion groups to solicit community input to drafting and implementing a plan to get there.

Please join us! Copy this link to your calendar and click to join on Nov. 2nd.
https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/smokeready2020/

Annual Members Meeting
2020-06-25 16:30 - 17:45
We encourage everyone to pre-register for the event. You can register via Zoom, bitly.com/2020mvcc
Join MVCC staff, board, and fellow members at our first-ever virtual annual membership meeting. We are honored and excited to announce that Hilary Franz, Commissioner for Washington State’s Public Lands, will be our keynote speaker, and will discuss her recently unveiled Plan for Climate Resilience which lays out a framework for managing state forests and wildfire response in the face of a changing climate.
In addition, MVCC staff and board members will provide an update on the state of the organization, programming priorities for 2020 and beyond, and how members can continue to engage and support our work. There will also be opportunities for attendees to engage and ask questions, so please come prepared to actively participate!
This is a member’s only event so we encourage you to become a member today! mvcitizens.org/membership
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, June 25th
Time: 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Registration: bit.ly/2020mvcc

Save the Date for a virtual Earth Day Celebration!
2020-04-17 16:00 - 17:30
The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is going virtual on Friday, April 17th, from 4-5:30pm.
This Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement on April 22, 1970.
Join the Methow Valley Citizens Council and Methow Arts for an online celebration kicking off the beginning of Earth Week.
The event will include:

An interview with Denis Hayes, National Coordinator of the First Earth Day in 1970. Conducted by Liberty Bell and Independent Learning Center High School students.
Inspiring video clips of Methow Valley students sharing their vision for the future
Live interview with Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, inspiring & nationally-recognized climate activist and hip hop artist.
State of the Nation Expert Panel Discussion with Michael Gerrard of Sabine Center for Climate Change at Columbia Law. Michael Furze of WA State Dept. of Commerce, and Amelia Marchand of the Colville Confederated Tribes, moderated by Jasmine Minbashian.
Live music & video with Luc Reynaud and poetry reading by WA State poet laureate. Claudia Castro Luna.

Register for the FREE event here!

POSTPONED: Earth Day's 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration
2020-04-17 - 2020-04-18
The health and safety of our Methow community and all who come to visit is our most important priority. Given the developing Coronavirus news in the last 24 hours, Methow Valley Citizens Council and Methow Arts believe it is no longer appropriate to hold a large public Earth Day celebration in mid-April. Hosting an event that aims to draw hundreds together in close proximity is contrary to the global priority to contain and avoid further spread of the Coronavirus.
On March 11th, the World Health Organization officially announced that Coronavirus is a global pandemic. With Washington State at the epicenter of the national outbreak, Governor Jay Inslee also announced that he is prohibiting gatherings of over 250 people in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Lastly, Okanogan County is encouraging people to follow the state’s recommendations and voluntarily avoid large gatherings. With the prospect of transmissions growing, and the serious health implications, it is has become clear that if we held the event, we could exacerbate the problem.
With that in mind, we have decided that the responsible decision is to postpone the two-day 50th Anniversary Earth Day celebration to a later date (stay tuned). All planned events on both Friday and Saturday events, including performances by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Son Luna y Jóvenes Zapateadores will be postponed.

We wanted to communicate this decision as soon as we made it, even while we are still working through the logistical implications. We will update you with further details as they develop. We are hoping that some of the scheduled programming will still be able to occur during the week of Earth Day – in another format, perhaps as a livestream conference. Please stay tuned on Methow Arts’ Earth Day calendar page to stay up to date on the rescheduled events and activities for Earth Day: http://www.methowarts.org/earth-day2020/.
In the meantime, please accept our sincere apology. We are truly inspired by the spirit and resilience of this community – and the way we can come together for a good cause. We look forward to celebrating our valley – and our Earth – with you when the time is right!

Many thanks,
Jasmine Minbashian, Amanda Jackson Mott
Methow Valley Citizens Council Methow Arts Alliance

Resilient Methow: Workshop on Adapting to Local Climate Impacts
2019-11-19 17:45 - 21:00 | Methow Valley Community Center, 201 South Highway 20, Twisp, WA, 98856, United States
You’re invited to help develop a Community Climate Action Plan for the Methow Valley!
For the past year a group of concerned community leaders – comprising the health, economic, infrastructure, natural systems, and agriculture sectors of our valley – have joined together to convene a Climate Action Task Force. The Task Force has been evaluating impacts from the changing climate in our valley – and finding potential solutions.
Identifying and prioritizing potential climate impacts and solutions is the first step to developing a Methow Climate Action Plan. Now we need your help to ensure we have identified all potential impacts and start the process of determining what impacts are the most urgent and important to the Methow Valley community. The Task Force invites you to join us on Tuesday, November 19th to start the process of developing a Methow Climate Action Plan.
We will be joined for a short presentation by Dr. Amy Snover, Director of the UW Climate Impacts Group as well as community leaders, elected officials, business owners and more. Dr. Snover’s presentation begins promptly at 6pm, please arrive on time.
Pizza, refreshments and childcare will be available at the event. Please RSVP to reserve your childcare slot.

Keeping Your Cool in Smoke Season: Community Conversation RSVP
2019-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Methow Valley Community Center, 201 South Highway 20, Twisp, WA, 98856, United States
2019 was a blessedly smoke free summer, but we all still recall our 40 consecutive days of unhealthy air quality during the 2018 fires. 2017 was also a terrible smoke year. The Methow Valley Clean Air Project has been listening to what smoke season feels like to you – not just headaches, sore throats, and wheezing – but also the high stress of being cooped up indoors, feeling alone and isolated, wondering when the smoke was going to clear, and whether this is simply our “new normal” for summers in the valley.
As we see right now in California, this is not just a local issue, but one people are grappling with all over the world – how do we care for ourselves and each other during the mental stress of wildfire smoke? We can wear respirator masks and try to stay inside in cleaner air, but how do we stay mentally strong through prolonged smoke episodes?
Please join the Methow Valley Clean Air Project for a discussion to better understand what smoke season felt like, and what helped make it better. We are partnering with the University of WA to develop a tool kit for our community to use, to help share information on coping during smoke season. Small focus groups will be led by local health and wellness providers to hear your concerns and solutions. From your input, the toolkit will be developed, shared back with you, and widely distributed in the community prior to the 2020 smoke season.
We know there are A LOT of these types of listening sessions going on in the valley this fall; thank you for taking the time to participate in this unique effort to build our resilience to wildfire smoke.
Dinner and quality, fun childcare provided!
Space is limited – please RSVP to annah57@uw.edu and liz@mvcitizens.org

Respire: Yoga Fundraiser for Clean Air Methow
2019-11-08 18:00 - 21:00
Join Clean Air Methow and Motive Yoga for an evening of yoga with DJ Mantis to raise funds and awareness for Clean Air in the Methow Valley. Tickets are $40 and your ticket purchase automatically enters you into a raffle with the chance to win a HEPA Air Filter valued at $100, Motive Yoga goodies and more!!
Directions to Heli Barn at Freestone Inn: Heli Barn at 31 Early Winters Dr, Mazama, Wash., on the Wilson Ranch adjacent to the Freestone Inn & Cabins, 1.5 miles west of the Mazama Junction off Highway 20.
