Welcome to IRIS
IRIS serves as hub for a community learning network that advances the development of sustainable rural communities and natural resource-based economies by helping to inspire, integrate and grow innovative ideas and projects across North Central Washington.
A Model for Change
Photos courtesy of Classroom in Bloom
Classroom in Bloom is a one-half acre garden on the shared campus of Liberty Bell Jr/Sr High School andMethow Valley Elementary School in Winthrop. The program is a separate non-profit that has earned the trust and respect of the school district and community. District administrators and teachers clearly see the benefits of this program on their campus. As the largest institution in our region serving food on a daily basis, our school has welcomed the opportunity to stimulate the local economy while providing colorful, fresh nutrition for students and staff.
For seven growing seasons, ... Read more »
Regional Food System
Are you interested in better access to local food in North Central Washington?
Join the NCW Food Coalition, a learning network composed of organizations, farmers, businesses, educators, and individuals that pursue shared priorities for increasing the amount of food grown and consumed in the region.
The Coalition meets quarterly to share information about existing projects and programs, to develop new approaches for strengthening our regional food and farming system, and to plan activities for the coming year. Coalition meetings are open to all.
To receive notification of upcoming meetings and notes from each meeting, subscribe to the
NCW Food Coalition by entering your email address in the form below.
News
January 17, 2012
"Foodways & Byways" DVD in The Wenatchee World Online
See Rufus Woods talk with Nancy Warner about the "Foodways & Byways" DVD at The Wenatchee World online www.wenatcheeworld.com/videos/2012/jan/17/415/. Visit gatheringourvoice.org for a list of public showings of "Foodways & Byways - The Story of Food in North Central Washington."
December 12, 2011
Gathering Our Voice 2011 Community Studio Project DVD Released
Now available for sale as a DVD and to view in six video segments at gatheringourvoice.org -- "Foodways & Byways - The Story of Food in North Central Washington." The half-hour video in which people of Latin, Tribal and European descent share stories of past and present food harvest, processing and distribution practices explores what we can learn from the past that can help us build a strong local food system today. Companion materials also available at gatheringourvoice.org are designed to help stimulate conversation about how we can increase our self-reliance.
October 11, 2011
2011 NCW Community Success Summit - November 16, 2011
Bring your energy, ideas, and success stories to share with others on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 9am to 3pm in Bridgeport. Follow these links for more information - news release and agenda. (PDF files will open in a new window.)
September 12, 2011
Statewide Food Coalition effort and Crown S Ranch CSA - discussion topics for upcoming NCW Regional Food Coalition Meeting
Washington Water Project of Trout Unlimited and Precision Slaughter will host the next NCW Regional Food Coalition meeting at The Riverbank, 206 Glover Street, Twisp, on September 22, 2011 from 9 to 11 am. For more information, contact Laura Clark, lclark@okanogancd.org
July 5, 2011
Join the Network of Naturalists
Help create a nature journal for North Central Washington via the newly expanded Connecting With Nature website, www.connectingwithnature.org. With support from the Connecting People With Nature program of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, IRIS created a website where you can record your observations and post photos of plants, animals, and other natural phenomena that mark the seasonal rhythms of our region.
May 17, 2011
Salmon-Safe Certification - discussion topic for upcoming NCW Regional Food Coalition Meeting
USDA-NRCS will host the next NCW Regional Food Coalition meeting at Forest Service headquarters, 215 Melody Lane, on June 16, 2011 from 9 to 11 am. For more information, contact Amy Hendershot, amy.hendershot@wa.usda.gov
January 17, 2011
Making Winter fun at Squilchuck, before Mission Ridge
See the January 13, 2011 Gathering Our Voice column in the Wenatchee World. The column features excerpts of a 2008 interview with Bud Weeks about the Squilchuck ski area. For the full transcript of the interview, visit the Transcripts page at www.gatheringourvoice.org
January 5, 2011
Connecting with Nature in North Central Washington
Read the latest posts about birding and tracking nature in North Central Washington. Share your own entries to create a naturalist's journal for the region at connectingwithnature.org.
December 13, 2010
2010 NCW Community Success Summit
Over 55 Summit particpants shared examples of innovative stewardship and previewed the 2010 - 2011 Gathering Our Voice Foodways & Byways audio slide show at the Lake Chelan Winery on November 17. To see photos and hear excerpts from the slide show visit the the Foodways & Byways page on the Gathering Our Voice website.
Enjoy a recap of the Summit by visiting the following links:
• November 19, 2010 Wenatchee World Column
by Rufus Woods
• NCW Community Success Summit Supplement (divided into segments to keep PDF file sizes manageable)
Pages 1 - 5;
Pages 6 -11;
Pages 12 - 15;
Pages 16 - 19;
Pages 20 - 24
Contact us for a printed copy.
• Notes taken at the Summit (PDF)
• "Updates and More Successes" contributions made at the Summit (PDF)
November 1, 2010
Your Help is Needed
We have been presented with a unique opportunity to supercharge the work of our program.
The Icicle Fund has graciously given us a $10,000 challenge grant to use in seeking community
support for the Gathering Our Voice “Foodways & Byways” project.
We have until December 31 to complete our effort to match the dollars.
We hope that you will generously support this effort by making a contribution to IRIS to be matched dollar for dollar. That’s a great way to leverage your contribution.
Follow this link for more information (PDF will open in new window)
October 14, 2010
2010 NCW Community Success Summit
November 17 from 9am to 4pm in Chelan. Download Agenda and
Registration form. RSVP by Friday, November 12.
(PDFs will open in new window)
October 13, 2010
Foodways & Byways Photo Drive Launched
Do you have historic food system photos? Help tell our community's story.
Follow this link to our photo drive flyer. (PDF will open in new window)
October 4, 2010
Connecting with Nature in North Central Washington
Read and hear about keeping an eye on nature in NCW. Share your own nature observations at connectingwithnature.org.
October 4, 2010
Welcome Kristi!
IRIS is fortunate to be
hosting our first AmeriCorps volunteer, Kristi Roberts who arrived last month from her home in South Carolina. A recent graduate of Clemson
University with a degree in history and anthropology, Kristi will be serving as the Outreach Specialist supporting volunteers and partner staff
working on the “Foodways & Byways” project of the Gathering Our Voice program. Thanks to Kristi, IRIS is now on Facebook.
September 21, 2010
Visit IRIS on Facebook
July 5, 2010
Connecting with Nature in North Central Washington
Read and hear about mudpies, forts, frogs, and other childhood connections with nature. Share your own early connection with nature at connectingwithnature.org.
May 26, 2010
Updated NCW Regional Food Systems Directory
The updated NCW Regional Food Systems Directory (PDF opens in new window) is now available. The complete Regional Food System Assessment Baseline Report and Appendices are available as PDF files at the Regional Food Systems page.
April 28, 2010
2010-2011 Gathering Our Voice Project Underway
Read the project framework to learn more about it. Foodways & Byways 2010 - 2011 (PDF opens in new window)
April 5, 2010
Connecting with Nature in North Central Washington
Read about chipmunks, fire, and forests. Share stories of your experiences in nature at connectingwithnature.org.
March 1, 2010
2009 Gathering Our Voice Signature Story video now available
Watch the 2009 Signature Story video at gatheringourvoice.org.
December 8, 2009
2009 NCW Community Success Summit
Nearly 50 Summit particpants shared examples of innovative stewardship and previewed the 2009 Gathering Our Voice Signature Story DVD on November 18 at the DOCFD#15 station in Pateros.
Enjoy a recap of the Summit by visiting the following links:
• November 10, 2009 Wenatchee
World Column by Rufus Woods
• NCW Community Summit Supplement with Column by Nancy Warner & 25 Success
Stories (PDF) Contact us for a printed copy.
• Notes taken at the Summit (PDF)
• "Success in a Nutshell" contributions made at the Summit (PDF)
• November 20, 2009 Wenatchee
World Column by Rufus Woods
To order Signature Story DVDs and learn more about Gathering Our Voice, visit
www.gatheringourvoice.org