US Forest Service
BSA Falls, West Fork of Wallowa River
David Jensen
Upcoming youth program: C.O.D.E. WREN | Birds of Prey & Animal Architects
The Discovery Center is open by appointment during the Winter.
Email or call today to book a field trip or group visit.
All guests five years old and older must wear a mask while in the center.
The Discovery Center is staying open for the Winter Season!
10am-3pm Fridays and Saturdays
All guests five years old and older must wear a mask while in the center.
Schedule: Available everyday through October 9 a.m.–11 a.m.
Join Judy Swank or Charla Lower for these family-friendly hikes! All walks will depart from the lobby of Wallowa Lake Lodge.
Email judys@wallowology.org 24 hours in advance to book your hike.
Available everyday by appointment through the month of October
See registration information on the Events & Activities Page
Take a Hike! Discovery Walks take place twice weekly at 9am on Fridays and Saturdays!
See schedule on the Events & Activities page
What Are We Up To?
Read Our Newsletter!
Compelling conservation reporting, inspiring quotes, poetry, events, and Ralph's Links!
To read the latest Tracks, or catch up on previous newsletters, click HERE
Winter Solstice Caps a Year to Remember
As this year of uncertainty draws to a close, nature will gift us with a “great conjunction” of Saturn and Jupiter on December 21, creating the appearance of a single bright star.
Despite the challenges of 2020, we've seen some bright moments here in the Wallowa Country too, including a Conservation Easement for lands surrounding the Wallowa Lake Lodge with the Nez Perce Tribe. And it could not have happened without you!
To read about these achievements and more, click HERE.
Wallowology Wishes You a Happy Holiday and New Year!
CORONAVIRUS AND WALLOWOLOGY
Our priority is protecting the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff. We know the value of educational opportunities about our ecosystems. We have put into place safety procedures to help protect all those involved while providing outdoor and indoor learning for locals and visitors.
We are asking visitors to the center and special events to be prepared to wear masks.
The Discovery Center is now closed for the season
Fall and Winter we are open by appointment and for special events
Please see our online activities for kids below!
Free Learning Kits on the Porch!
Until we can learn, create and play together in one space again, Wallowology's CODE Green program will be providing science learning kits for youth. Nature journaling, owl pellets, rock painting or tree ring counting- many different kits will be available throughout the 2020 season. Grab your science learning kit from the front porch from 10am on Fridays through 3pm on Saturdays. This week's kit: Rocks!
The Center Will be Open Fridays and Saturdays This Summer, 10am - 3pm
After long months of waiting to resume our activities due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are happy to announce that the Discovery Center is open!
Our priority is protecting the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff. We know the value of educational opportunities about our ecosystems. We have put into place safety procedures to help protect all those involved while providing outdoor and indoor learning for locals and visitors.
We are now asking visitors to the center AND in Discovery Walks to be prepared to wear masks.
Celebrate
POLLINATORS!
Wallowology, in cooperation with Wallowa Resources, would like to invite you to celebrate spring by learning more about pollinators. They are waking up and working hard, contributing to spring growth alongside the rest of us.
We are posting printable activities so you and your kids can play and learn about these critical partners in our environment.
December 13, 5-8pm: Wallowology Holiday Party!
Join us at our annual Holiday Party in the Wallowology Discovery Center! There will be a hosted bar with holiday drinks, plus desserts and light snacks, not to mention a raffle! Everyone is welcome!
Science Playtime Series
February 26, March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22
all at 9:30 am
Bring your preschool-aged kids to Wallowology for some fun. We will alternate between guided science activities and explorative play.
Walk on the Wild Side!
February 20, 7pm
An introduction to tracking animals in the wild, by Jaszu Borzencki, BA Biology and Biochemistry.
Talk will include tracking formulas, detailed photos, gait patterns and more.
Check back often for updates and new events!
Wallowology is the public education division of Eastern Oregon Legacy Lands, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public benefit nonprofit corporation whose purposes are scientific, educational, and charitable. Based in science and education, EOLL's natural and cultural history programs include research, conservation planning, and policy development.
Reflection of the Month
"She had only to stand in the orchard, to put her hand on a little crab tree and look up at the apples, to make you feel the goodness of planting and tending and harvesting at last."
- Willa Cather
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!
West Fork of Wallowa River
David Jensen
Give a lifelong love of science, wildlife, and the outdoors!
DONATE
NOW!
October 3, 7pm
Exploring Wild Headwaters: A Study of Stream Networks, Geology, and Transpiration in the River of No Return
John Whiting’s research to improve understanding of remote mountain watershed hydrology took place in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in 2014 and 2015. Based out of the University of Idaho’s Taylor Wilderness Research Station on Big Creek, John bushwhacked up small headwater streams and determined water use of Douglas fir trees. The collaborative effort between Idaho State University geologists and the Taylor Ranch crew sheds light on the question of what happens to snowmelt and rainwater in the rugged Salmon River Mountains.
SUMMER
Explore & Discover: Bears!
August 10, 11am-3pm
A kid focused, hands on, day long, Bear station setup in Wallowology. Taught by Jim Akenson.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2019
UPCOMING PRESENTATION!
All dates are Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30am
March 20: Explorative Play
April 3: Rock Science
April 17: Explorative Play
MAY 1: Flower Science
Bring your preschool-aged kids to Wallowology this Spring for some fun Science Playtime! We will alternate between guided science activities, and explorative play at stations around the Discovery Center. Adult supervision required.
More childrens' programs are planned for Summer 2019!
May 9-10:
Fungi: Environmental
Stewards in a
Changing Climate
Tristan Woodsmith, Equipment and Cultivation Specialist, discusses fungal ecology, growing mushrooms and how fungi can support the environment and help offset climate change.
Check back soon for more information!
DONATE
Wallowology is committed to encouraging people to care for our landscape through education, art and science. If you believe in this mission, help support us with a generous contribution. Thank you!
Your contributions are fully tax deductible. Wallowology is a public education project of Eastern Oregon Legacy Lands, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation based in Joseph, Oregon. (EIN: 46-5536585)
Bu clicking the Donate button below, you can make your donation to Wallowology securely using PayPal. Major credit cards are accepted.
Explore & Discover: Bears!
August 10, 11am - 3pm
Jim Akenson, Wildlife Biologist, at Wallowology.
May 9-10:
Fungi: Environmental
Stewards in a
Changing Climate
Tristan Woodsmith, Equipment and Cultivation Specialist, discusses fungal ecology, growing mushrooms and how fungi can support the environment and help offset climate change.
Check back soon for more information!
SOLD OUT!
Wallowology Discovery Center opened to the public in June 2014. At our Natural History Discovery Center in downtown Joseph, we invite participants to explore and discover Eastern Oregon's lands and waters through exhibits, workshops, and evening presentations by scientists, artists and others.
Wallowology is the public education division of Eastern Oregon Legacy Lands, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public benefit nonprofit corporation whose purposes are scientific, educational, and charitable. Based in science and education, EOLLF's natural and cultural history programs include research, conservation planning, and policy development.
Mission: To inform, inspire, and involve residents and visitors in the conservation of ecosystems and landscapes that support and sustain rural communities throughout Eastern Oregon.
Wallowology Discovery Center opened to the public in June 2014. At our Natural History Discovery Center in downtown Joseph, we invite participants to explore and discover Eastern Oregon's lands and waters through exhibits, workshops, and evening presentations by scientists, artists and others.
Wallowology is the public education division of Eastern Oregon Legacy Lands, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public benefit nonprofit corporation whose purposes are scientific, educational, and charitable. Based in science and education, EOLLF's natural and cultural history programs include research, conservation planning, and policy development.
Mission: To inform, inspire, and involve residents and visitors in the conservation of ecosystems and landscapes that support and sustain rural communities throughout Eastern Oregon.
COMING UP AT WALLOWOLOGY!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Condors in Hells Canyon Country
A Nez Perce Tribe Feasibility Study, by Conservation Biologist David Moen
Thursday, February 28, 7-8:30pm
Fun fact: How high are Condors known to soar?
A: 15,000 Feet!
PAST EVENTS
Check out photos and read about the recent Joseph Canyon Hike with Ecologist David Mildrexler, from June 9th, 2018! Click Here!
HOLIDAY PARTY!
December 16th, 10 a.m. to 3p.m.
Join us for Games, Treats, Story Telling and a Sneak Preview of the new Kids’ Loft!
WINTER
Observations from Standing Rock
February 16
Wallowa County Photographer Joe Whittle shares experiences and photos from the protests at Standing Rock.
SPRING
The Great Grey Owl
Unless you're a squirrel, you gotta love these big birds! Holly Akenson and Janet Hohmann will tell you why the Strix nebulosa is important to our local ecosystems. Plus a field trip!
SUMMER
The Solar Eclipse!
August 17th & 21st
Don't be left in the dark! Wallowologist Daniel Lincoln and the Astronomy Club will lead the presentation, and an Eclipse viewing party on the 21st!
New! Look for C.O.D.E. Green in 2017!
SCHEDULED IN 2017
Job Announcement!
Wallowology is seeking its first Executive Director, to be hired in early 2018! For more information, click HERE
Ecologist David Mildrexler Will lead the hike into the huckleberry area along the Bear Creek trail, rich in old growth forest and wildlife habitat. We will discuss ecology and the Blue Mountains Forest Plan.
Pre-registration required: 541-263-1663
NATURE JOURNALING
Seasonal, May through September
Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. at Wallowology Discovery Center
Nature Journaling is a way for people of all ages to connect with nature. At Wallowology, we will help you explore the natural world around you through art and science. You will learn how to make observations and record them using pencil, watercolor pencil and other techniques. You don't need to be an artist! Nature journaling is your path into the exploration of the natural world!
HALLWAY GALLERY
Wallowology's hallways are excellent venues for small exhibits of art and photography, and we have recently installed new lighting fixtures to show it off!
We will change the artwork regularly, with priority given to local artists and youth. In the past we have had children's drawings and paintings of duck stamps.
Judy Goodman
Science Editor
Judy grew up in the Pacific Northwest and received her Master of Science in Biology from Eastern Washington University in Limnology with an emphasis in Fisheries in 1985. She worked for twenty years in fisheries research for the Idaho and US Fish and Wildlife Service. She is a published science illustrator and has taught at schools in Sun Valley, and the Joseph Charter School.
NASA
Online Learning Resources and Activities!
Until our programs resume outside and in our indoor space again, we are still providing science learning kits for youth online. Go to the activities below and download them to print at home.
Much About Mammoths!
Mammoths, especially the Columbian mammoth roamed widely in North America, including Eastern Oregon. Learn more about them and make your own folding Mammoth!
Learn All About Owls!
US Forest Service
Wallowa County is home to many different Birds of Prey, including numerous species of Owls. Learn about them and where to find them! It's a hoot!