The Mary Kiesau Community Fellowship

01/13/2022

Don't forget the coming deadline for the 2022 Mary Kiesau Community Fellowship. Get your applications in by February 1st!

Mary Kiesau was a remarkable naturalist, educator, and photographer. Many people have been touched by her passion for the flora and fauna of the Methow, and many homes are graced with her photographs. The Mary Kiesau Community Fellowship Fund was created in her honor. Through this fund, the spirit o...

05/14/2021

If you were unable to attend Mary's Memorial, find the full video here or on the youtube channel called Mazama Mary.

Thank you Terry Hunt for creating this video and lending some of his wonderful drone footage of the valley.

Full video of Mary's Memorial CeremonyDetails about speakers and readings in the program here: https://bit.ly/3tEnVa8We do not own the rights to any of the ...

05/08/2021

Thank you Joanna Bastian for sharing your story of releasing Mary's stardust:

I climbed up onto a plateau overlooking the Methow River yesterday evening. The meadowlarks were in full song as the setting sun illuminated the hills across the river. Rocky cliffs, aspens tucked into ravines, and golden arrowleaf balsamroot lit warmly with the last rays of day.

I knelt amongst the larkspur to find a good angle to photograph, and I think Mary would be amused to know that my dog Luna romped nearby.

I poured the content of the paper envelope into my palm, enclosing my fingers over the seeds and ashes. I gave gratitude for having the pleasure of knowing Mary, for everything she had taught me, and everything I would continue to learn as her words would inevitably walk into my heart in future moments. She planted seeds in hearts, how fitting she will continue to plant seeds with her physical remains. Thank you for this gracious gift, for sharing Mary both in life, and in this next phase of existence. Blessing to you.

-Joanna Bastian

05/04/2021

On Saturday, we celebrated Mary's life and announced the first recipients of the fellowship award. We look forward to keeping up with their work. Congratulations David Lukas, Dave Moscowitz, and Etsuko Ichikawa!

On the first day of May, friends and family of Mary Kiesau gathered in the TwispWorks Community Plaza to honor her life and to celebrate her passion for the natural world. Mary passed unexpectedly on April 15th of last year and at long last, an opportunity to grieve as a community finally came. Alon...

04/27/2021

If you have NOT been fully vaccinated and you are interested in taking extra precaution before coming to this event - on Friday there will be self administered rapid Covid tests available at AeroMethow. You can go to Aeromethow between 9:00 and 3:00 and there will be an outdoor station there with instructions. You do the test yourself and have results in about 15 minutes. Thank you Aero Methow Rescue Service for helping to keep our community safer!

04/15/2021

Photos and art by Mary Kiesau. Today marks a year since her passing. We honor her love of Spring's emergence with some of her work.

04/13/2021

We're still looking for some volunteers to help with the Celebration of Mary's Life on May 1. Check it out on Volunteer Methow:

See volunteer tasks from local organizations around the Methow. Find tasks using a calendar feature, or view tasks that match up with your favorite local causes and organizations, your unique skills, or what can be done at home on your own schedule.

04/06/2021

We are looking for some volunteers to help with Mary's Celebration of Life on May 1. If you are interested in helping, please sign up on Volunteer Methow.

See volunteer tasks from local organizations around the Methow. Find tasks using a calendar feature, or view tasks that match up with your favorite local causes and organizations, your unique skills, or what can be done at home on your own schedule.

03/29/2021

Just a few days left to submit applications for the the Mary Kiesau Community Fellowship. Deadline is March 31st. Don't be afraid to reach out with any last minute questions before submitting. We look forward to reviewing the terrific projects coming in.

We will be announcing the first recipients of the award on May 1st during the celebration of Mary's life at the Twispworks Pavilion.

To learn more and submit go here: https://bit.ly/3vWup6A

To donate to the fund to help support artists and naturalists go here: https://bit.ly/3rgYpXm

photo by Mary Kiesau