Hello Braided River Community!
As fall begins, the phrase “back to school” takes on a double meaning. Just as students return to classrooms, salmon return to the rivers - reminding us that each season is a chance to for new projects, new opportunities, and new energy. At Braided River, we draw inspiration from these journeys: of learning, migration, and renewal.
This season, we’re excited to share fresh opportunities to connect, learn, and take action for wild places. We have two upcoming events in the Pacific Northwest designed to bring our community together in conversation and celebration, along with a special visit from a featured author whose work shines a light on the landscapes we love.
Together, these gatherings are part of how we deepen our shared story of conservation - one rooted in resilience, creativity, and respect for the natural world.
Yes - we do have two Seattle opportunities to attend an impactful event at Town Hall this fall!
Please come join us for the launch of Paul Bannick's Woodpecker, and In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations with Se’Si’Le
Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of the North American Woodpecker with Paul Bannick
When we heard there was potential to host our launch events at Town hall this October, we seized the chance! Town Hall Seattle is a beautiful, grand space with deep roots in the Seattle community. We are so excited to secure your space at these special events of celebration of community.
Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers with Paul Bannick
First, please join us on October 8th to hear acclaimed author and wildlife photographer Paul Banick shine a spotlight on the ecological importance of Woodpeckers in North America. Through stunning photography and rich storytelling, Bannock explores the natural and cultural history of these remarkable birds.
Date: October 8th
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Town Hall Seattle, Great Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations
Second, we would love to invite you to one more incredible event at Town Hall, a week later! In relationship with Se’Si’Le, Braided River is celebrating the launch of our newest project, In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations: Conversations about Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in Nature. As told to Kurt Russo, and with a foreword by Jay Julius Xw’tot lhem, this book invites readers into a conversation rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being in nature.
In celebration of this inaugural project, we invite you to join us for a night full of powerful Pacific Northwest speakers. Come be apart of a conversation at Town Hall facilitated by Jeff Renner, engaging public speaker and meteorologist, including Jay Julius Xw’tot lhem (President and founder of Se’Si’Le, previous Lummi Nation Chairman), Lynda Mapes (Pacific Northwest Journalist, reporter with The Seattle Times for 27 years), and John Vechey (Cofounder of groundbreaking technology companies, and board member of Se’Si’Le).
Date: October 16th, 2025
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Town Hall, Forum, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Braided River Author Visit: Dave Showalter
We love having our talented authors and conservation photographers in the office!
Dave Showalter, author and photographer of Braided River titles Living River and Sage Spirit, presented with Mountaineers Books and Braided River staff this month as part of his "gratitude tour." Dave spoke about his years-long journey photographing the American West, and shared new images he has taken in the basin. Based in Arvada, Colorado, Dave advocates for protection of the Colorado River, and all living beings the river supports. The next chapter of the Living River is almost here! Courtesy of funding from Walton Family Foundation wee will be launching a traveling museum exhibit to bring the stories of the river to life throughout the watershed! Stay tuned for more information.
You can find more of Dave’s images on his Instagram and Facebook, linked here.
Photo Credits
Top photo courtesy of John Gussman
Bottom photo by Dave Showalter