Indoor winter Tri-Cities events to inspire you to enjoy the outdoors

The weather outside may be blustery, but it’s just the right time make plans to attend one of more of these educational events that will inspire you to get outside even more.

Here are a few in the next month:

History of U.S. National Parks

Jan. 9, 7:15 p.m., REI in Kennewick, free

Rebecca Burghart, National Park Service Site Manager for the Hanford Unit of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, will speak about the past 100 years of our national parks. Her and the slide show presentation will cover the history, people, places and cultural elements of the numerous places that awe and inspire millions of people each year.

Her talk will focus on sharing the parks personal stories. Each park being the result of people having a grand idea, embracing risk, pursing opportunities and getting up even after failure to strive to protect a place, story, or event for future generations. These extraordinary people and their stories are what have created the rich tapestry of parks we now all get to enjoy.

Burghart came to the Tri-Cities just over two years ago after working as the Chief of Interpretation at White Sands National Monument for eight years. She also managed the visitor center and park volunteer program at the Chamizal National Memorial in 2008, and worked fulltime as an interpretive park ranger at Grand Teton National Park.

Cascade Mountain trek talk

Jan. 9, 7 p.m., Richland Public Library, free

Tri-City adventurers Steve Ghan, John Serkowski, and Bruce Williams will present highlights of their 12-day 180-mile trek across the North Cascades last summer with uber through-hiker Gerry “Natty” Favret.

They’ll share their discovery of Jack Kerouac artifacts, how they dealt with health challenges, and their close encounter with a wild bear. They will show photos of some of the most spectacular scenery that Washington state has to offer.

Salmon and healing the Columbia River

Jan. 15, 7:15, REI in Kennewick, free

Peter Marbach, author of several books and calendars about the Columbia River Gorge, will be combining spectacular visuals with amazing stories in a presentation based on his book, “Healing the Big River – Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River.”

His rich photo essay book is a collaborative effort which contains contributions from 12 people, all known as leaders of the first nations, tribes, and salmon recovery advocate groups in the region.

Each of the stories told provides insights into their relationship to the river and their hopes for a modernized treaty that honors indigenous input and starts the process to restore one of the of the greatest salmon runs the world has ever known. The talk provides a timely and unique opportunity to hear compelling perspectives at a critical moment in the management of the Columbia River.

Tri-Cities Sportsman Show

Jan. 17-19, HAPO Center (formerly TRAC), tickets at the door

Returning to Tri-Cities for a 27th season, this annual event is for outdoor men, women, and children from SE Washington.

The show features the latest in outdoor equipment, a trophy antler collection from the northwest, kid’s fishing pond, free air rifle range, and hunting and fishing seminars by local and renown experts.

Doors open Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. Ticket prices vary.

Reel Rock film in Richland

Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Richland High School Auditorium, $10-$12

The Inter-Mountain Alpine Club (IMAC) is offering a one-time showing of Reel Rock 14, which is on tour across the country. This amazing, electrifying documentary movie depicting the best rock-climbing adventures and the stories of the sport’s major stories and athletes to the screen.

The film is the major climbing event in the climbing world each year, telling the stories of several male and female climbers, also known as dirtbags, capturing their personal challenges and exploits, accomplishments, the culture and the nuances of the climbing community with eye popping cinematography.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets available at REI, $10 in advance $12 at the door. Sponsors include Tri-City Court Club, the REI Coop, the Rock-Climbing Guide, and McCurley Integrity Subaru. Proceeds go to IMAC.

Fishing for winter whitefish lecture

Jan. 8, 7 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th, Pasco

The Tri-Cities chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is having Captain Jerry Reyes of Flatout Fishing teach rigging and techniques to find and catch whitefish locally in the wintertime.

One of the often overlooked species is the Whitefish. Fishing for whitefish is a great way to hone your drift fishing skills, as well as spend a fun day on the water.