Getting excited for spring and summer!
There is still snow on the ground at Willow-Witt Ranch, but we at The Crest are getting excited for all of the wonderful programs we are going to host this spring, summer and fall. Starting with a hybrid Outdoor School program for 5th graders in Talent, OR, our education and volunteer programs are going to keep us busy in the next few months!
What We Are Up To
Nature Day Camps 2021
Nature Day Camps at The Crest provide a fun, safe and nature-based childcare option for families in our community. Day camps will run for 10 weeks, 1 session per week, June to August. The program is geared towards ages 6-12. Groups will be in stable cohorts of 10 participants, led by a certified instructor and assistant.
We hope to make this wonderful option available to as many families as possible, regardless of financial need. Donate below to support this goal of providing free and reduced tuition for low-income families.
The Crest is looking to recruit high school students to assist with these programs as volunteers. Work with kids, learn crucial group management and leadership skills, complete your community service hours and more!
Explore Willow-Witt Ranch Virtually!
Summer Volunteer Series
Tending The Land: Upland Stewardship Corps
Work parties will be hosted at Willow-Witt Ranch on Thursdays at 9am and at Vesper Meadow on Saturdays at 9am. This series will be offered in addition to regular Crest work parties throughout the summer.
Take Action, Learn More
Savi Horne and the Land Loss Prevention Project
This month, we want to highlight one of the many POC environmentalists changing the world right now! Savi Horne is the Executive Director of the Land Loss Prevention Project, providing legal assistance, community education and advocacy skills to farmers and rural landowners. As a non-profit based on a small rural farm, this work is particularly close to our hearts.
The Land Loss Prevention Project helps black farmers in North Carolina hold on to their land in the face of economic obstacles, gentrification, and legal challenges. They are doing essential work to keep black farmers connected to their land.
Learn more at landloss.org or listen to an interview with Savi Horne here. You can find this interview on the Edge Effects podcast on Apple Podcasts.
Jim Janousek
Jim is an incredibly dedicated and resourceful board member. In the past few months, he has played an instrumental role in launching our first season of Outdoor School. We are so lucky to have him!
His first experience with Willow-Witt Ranch was working as a ranch hand while he was finishing college in 2006. He is now in his sixth year of teaching culinary arts and science through a local lens at Phoenix High School. When Jim is not in the classroom, he is out experiencing nature via gardening, hiking, biking, running or surfing.
His new year’s resolution this year is to “get kids outside.” We’re with you Jim!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted nuthatches live at Willow-Witt Ranch all year long. They are tiny, active birds who prefer to live in coniferous forests. They are bark-foragers, meaning that they search bark furrows for hidden insects.
Red-breasted nuthatches are the only non-woodpecker species to excavate their own nest cavities from solid wood. They apply globs of conifer resin around the entrance to their nests, sometimes using a piece of bark to spread it around – an amazing example of tool use.
We just think they are darling! Red-breasted nuthatches like backyard feeders, so put out sunflower seeds, suet or peanuts to attract them to your yard.
