Ridge 2 River

Small changes have huge impacts. What can you do today to make a difference for animals? Eat a plant-based meal? Buy an animal-free fiber or cruelty-free cosmetic? How about enjoying entertainment that doesn't use animals? With every decision, you can make a difference. 🐰🐷 PC: Nichole Roller

Fun Fact Friday! Dogs have three eyelids per eye (that’s one more than humans). 🐕 #Dogs #DogLover #AdoptDontShop #Animals

Fun Fact Friday! Tuna can swim over 40 miles per hour. 🌊 #Tuna #EatPlants #SaveTheOcean #OceanLife

2.8% of Chelan County, Washington identify as American Indian or Alaska Native. Today we celebrate the cultures, histories, and traditions of the peoples that first inhabited all of our lands. Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Source: Census

🧠 Almost half of all Americans will have a mental health disorder within their lifetime. Rates are even higher for those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Mental health is just as important as physical health. No matter what you are facing, even if it seems ‘like nothing,’ you don’t have to do it alone. 🫂

Fun Fact Friday! Cats can jump up to five times their body length. 🐈 #Cats #AnimalLover #AdoptDontShop #AnimalFacts

📢 Calling all high school students! 📢 ⭐ Only two spots remain for LEAP at Ridge 2 River! ⭐ Applications close on October 8th; our first session is on the 10th. 🗓️ Ready to join us? 🖱️ Learn more and apply at Ridge2River.org/LEAP.

A single slaughterhouse can legally kill 140 chickens every minute. While their living conditions in industry are gloomy, chickens display signs of true happiness when given the chance to be free. Today is World Farm Animal Day 🐷. Show your appreciation by choosing plants.

Fun Fact Friday! Chickens develop initial object permanence at two days old. In comparison, humans do not develop this until four months. 🐔 #Chickens #Birds #Sanctuary #Rescue #AnimalLover

Scientists believe that lobsters can live to 100. These creatures are often used for food by being dropped in boiling water still alive. While they may have different biology than mammals, lobsters do indeed feel pain. Celebrate these long-living sea animals by not supporting this cruel practice.

It is National Centenarian’s Day! A Centenarian is someone who is at least 100 years old. 💯 And in Blue Zones, there are more of them than anywhere else.

Fun Fact Friday! While peafowl are often seen comfortably on the ground, they can indeed fly. 🦚 #Peafowl #Peacock #Peahen #Rescue #AnimalFacts #Birds

One-fifth of our nation’s total population is Hispanic. This also includes one out of every four children in the U.S. 14.5% of all businesses in the U.S. are Hispanic-owned, and here in Chelan County, 30.6% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Shana Tova! 🍎 Apples and honey are a traditional staple for celebrating the Jewish New Year. But if you are looking for ways to celebrate compassionately this year, consider swapping the honey. 🐝

Fun Fact Friday! Sheep can see up to 320 degrees. 🐏 #Sheep #AnimalFacts #FunFacts #Rescue #Wildlife

The average wage for agricultural workers is $17.30/hour. And the industry has more injuries than any other sector, as well as higher rates of mental health problems than the general population. Many of these employees may not be able to stand up, but those of us that can raise awareness should.

Fun Fact Friday! 🐦 The most common type of hummingbird in North Central Washington is Anna’s hummingbird. #Hummingbird #Wildlife #Nature

Fun Fact Friday! 🦆 Ducks have color preferences for green and blue shades. #Ducks #Rescue #AnimalLover #AnimalFacts #Sanctuary

Did you know? Exhibits using only animals traditionally used for food (cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, etc.) are exempt from federal licensing and regulation. Heading to a fair this fall? Consider skipping these exhibits, and supporting ones that do not use animals.

Fun Fact Friday! You might be able to tell a pig's mood by looking at their tail. 🐖 A lot of tail movement? They are probably in a good mood. Tucking their tail between their legs? Not so much. #Pigs #Rescue #Sanctuary #FunFacts #Animals

🥔🥔 It is National Potato Day! 🥔🥔 In honor of this beloved starchy vegetable, let’s learn more about these powerhouse root veggies.

📢 Applications are now open for Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet (LEAP)! 📢 This free program for high school students invites young leaders passionate about animal welfare and planetary health to learn hands-on about creating a brighter world. 🐔🌎 Learn more at ridge2river.org/leap.

Fun Fact Friday! Lizards use their tongues to smell. 🦎 #Lizards #WorldLizardDay #Wildlife #Ecosystem

Like all mammals, female goats (called does) produce breastmilk for the purpose of feeding their babies (called kids). 🍼 This #worldbreastfeedingweek, help to celebrate the amazing ability of mothers of all species to produce milk for their kids by choosing non-dairy.

Agriculture is perhaps the most important sector of all. Without farm workers, there is no food system as we know it. 🍅 However, the treatment of these workers often fails to reflect the difficult yet vital work they do.

Fun Fact Friday! Turkeys can have 5,000-6,000+ feathers each. 🦃 🦃 #Turkeys #FunFacts #Rescue #Sanctuary #Animals

Fun Fact Friday! 🪲 Columbia River Tiger Beetles are a rare type of beetle. They are classified as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need,” and today, are only found in Idaho. They are sand-dwelling predators, and a reminder of the vast diversity and beauty of insects.

Pigs love to bask in the sun. On sanctuaries, they can. On factory farms, pigs only see sun when on a truck to slaughter. Free pigs may be covered in mud for sun protection. On factory farms, it may because their living facilities are filthy. We all deserve fresh air, sunshine, and fun with mud.

Fun Fact Friday! 🐴 Horses breathe only through their nose. They have a soft palette that guides pathways to keep the mouth for digestion and the nose for air. #Horse #AnimalFact #WorldHorseDay

One-third of human food crops depend on pollinators, as do 80% of flowering plants. 🌻 Like kiwi, watermelon, or chocolate? 🥝 Thank bees. Without pollinators, these crops would be much harder to grow. When you see a bee, well, just let them bee. 🐝

Fun Fact Friday! Ants can carry up to 50 times their body weight! These super-strong insects are an important part of our ecosystem. During these warmer months, ant colonies seem to be everywhere. When you see them outside, do your best to leave them alone and let them do their ecosystem thing. 🐜'

More pets go missing during the week of July 4th than at any other time of the year. Fireworks and other loud, unfamiliar noises are especially frightening. Thankfully, there are steps we can take to help keep our furry family safe. 🎆😨

Fun Fact Friday! We all know that most dogs love being outside with their humans, the best place for them to be during fireworks is indoors. #Dogs #Fireworks #July4th #IndependenceDay #Pets

Fun Fact Friday! Rabbits have two types of poop, and will eat one of them. 🐇 💩 #AnimalFacts #Rabbit #Rescue #Sanctuary

🦃 Meet Glinda: a broad breasted white turkey, the most commonly bred turkey breed in commercial agriculture. This National Turkey Lovers’ Day, show a true love of turkeys like Glinda by leaving them off your grill. 🦃🤍

Fun Fact Friday! Minkes are the smallest baleen whale in North American waters, weighing up to a mere 20,000 pounds. 🐋 Threats to Minke Whales are whaling, commercial fishing, ocean noise vessel strikes, and climate change. This summer, consider plant-based foods and watching wildlife from afar.

Today is #Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. ✊🏿 ✊🏾 The fight did not end in 1865. Regardless of the color of our skin, we can all learn, share, and act. As Frannie Lou Hamer said, “nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” So, let’s celebrate and keep fighting for equal freedom.

Did you know that cucumbers have the highest water content of any solid food? 🚰 How will you enjoy some hydration with a side of vitamin K this National Cucumber Day? 🥒

Fun Fact Friday! Chickens experience REM sleep, meaning that they are capable of having dreams. 🐔 💤 #Chickens #AnimalFacts #AnimalLover #Rescue #Sanctuary #Dreams

Concerned about climate change? LEAP student Isabella has food for thought about how you can help. Thank you, Isabella! #ClimateLeaders #FightClimateChange #YoungLeaders #ClimateAction

Concerned about climate change? LEAP student Isabella has food for thought about how you can help. Thank you, Isabella! #ClimateLeaders #FightClimateChange #YoungLeaders #ClimateAction

Fun Fact Friday! A black bear weighs under a pound at birth, but reaches 80 pounds by their first birthday. 🐻 #AnimalFacts #Bears #BlackBear #Wildlife #BlackBearDay

LEAP students Peter and Sylvan learned about rewilding and were inspired to help their local ecosystem by planning, designing, creating, and monitoring hotels for Mason Bees. By the end of the semester, half of their 12 hotels had activity! Great work!

Happy Pride! You are beautiful and worthy, and love is never wrong. ❤️💙💚💛💜

Fun Fact Friday! Every cat has a distinctly unique nose print, just like human fingerprints. 🐾 #AnimalFacts #Cat #CadyLady #Rescue #FunFacts

Did you know that asparagus can grow so quickly that, if you look closely enough, you might actually see it happening? In ideal conditions, asparagus can grow up to 10 inches in a single day! 🌱 This National Asparagus Day, indulge in an abundance of these healthful greens!

Fun Fact Friday! Female sea turtles always find their way back home. Even if it has been decades since they were on the nesting beach where they were born, they will return there when ready to lay eggs themselves. 🐢🌊 #AnimalFacts #Turtles #WorldTurtleDay #SeaLife #SaveTheOcean

Walnuts are loaded with omega-3s, healthy fats, and so much more. Consumption is linked to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B. And, nuts are environmentally-friendly crops. They don’t use very much land and they can even be carbon negative! 🌐 🧠 🫀

Fun Fact Friday! Peacocks shed their colorful feathers at the end of each molting season (late summer to early autumn) and regrow them in time for mating seasons a few months later. 🦚 #AnimalFacts #Peacocks #Peafowl #FunFacts #Rescue #Sanctuary

Happy Mother’s Day! 👩🏾 In celebration of all mothers, we have to talk about dairy. 🐄 Choose love for all mothers this year by opting for plant based. ❤️