The Winter Life Snowshoe Tours provides people of all ages and abilities the cost-free opportunity to join a guided tour of the Icicle River Trail in Leavenworth Washington! This unique and educational program is an amazing example of connecting people with nature. It provides the opportunity for recreation, socialization, and environmental education.
This season, between December 19, 2014 and February 22, 2015, our team of 15 trained volunteer guides conducted 43 tours. In total we documented 423 participants, ranging in age from 6-76, many who had never before been on snowshoes. Our tours were full of people from all over…Wenatchee, WA, Seattle, WA, California, Mexico, South Korea, and beyond!
Of the 126 people who were surveyed about their experience, 100% reported an increase in knowledge pertaining to topics such as general snowshoe recreation, natural and local history, animal tracking, fisheries, and winter ecology.
This incredible program would not have been possible without the support of Friends of Northwest Hatcheries, who provided equipment and training, the 15 AmeriCorps and community volunteers who graciously donated their time and talents as guides, and the Leavenworth Hatchery for providing the space to learn and explore.
As an organizer for this program, I can honestly say that this program is simply amazing and well received by the community, and much enjoyed by the tour guides! The opportunity that it provides is unique and important, and I sincerely hope that it continues into the future.
-Yolie Bodie
