Field Notes from the North Cascades / December 2023 eNewsletter
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If you are reading this in western Washington, we hope you have been able to stay relatively dry over this past week. The National Weather Service reports that back-to-back atmospheric rivers delivered almost 10 inches of rain in some areas between Sunday and Tuesday. TEN INCHES!
The Skagit cohort of high schoolers in our Youth for the Environment and People (YEP!) program has been working this Fall to understand the local impacts of flooding and plan a community action project to help their region respond to future challenges. This week, they released their impeccably-timed brochure, Flooding in Skagit County—see below for more details.
DECEMBER 2023
▸ NEW 2024 FIELD & ONLINE CLASSES
▸ HIGH SCHOOLERS SHARE FLOODING AWARENESS IN LOCAL COMMUNITY
▸ CHRIS MORGAN LIVE AT MOUNT BAKER THEATER
▸ HOLIDAY GIFTS 15% OFF
As this year draws to a close, our staff are busy getting ready for 2024:
- We've just opened over 20 new Field and Online classes—from a new 4-part online Bird Series to Plein Air Watercoloring to Outdoor Survival and a Columbia Basin Ramble.
- We're signing up multigenerational family groups for 2024 Family Getaways at the Environmental Learning Center in July and August.
- We're hiring several positions to reopen the Environmental Learning Center and run transformative programs in 2024. These include Program Instructors, Operations Manager, Food Services Manager, and more positions coming soon!
And in this season of giving, will you join us to plant the seeds of environmental stewardship for generations to come by making your year-end donation today? Thanks so much and stay dry out there!
YLA STUDENT VOICES
On Youth Leadership Adventures backcountry trips, high schoolers practice leadership strengths, build inclusive communities with their peers, and identify pathways to a hopeful and sustainable vision of the future. Listen to 2023 YLA participants during the final evening of their trip, reflecting on climate solutions, connections with nature, and their messages to adults.
Learning Opportunities
FIELD EXCURSIONS, ONLINE CLASSES & EVENTS
We're excited to announce a host of brand new classes! Birding, art, grizzlies, geology, photography, and more—sign up for your next learning adventure today!
DEC 13 | Geologic Mysteries of the North Cascades with Gina Roberti - Online
JAN 26 | "A Life in THE WILD" with Chris Morgan - Bellingham
JAN 27 | Skagit Valley Winter Birding with Brendan McGarry - Skagit Valley
JAN 31 | Ghost Bears: Searching for the North Cascades Grizzly Bear with Bill Gaines - Online
FEB 3 | Bald Eagles of the Skagit Valley with Joe Ordóñez - Howard Miller Steelhead Park
FEB 4 & 11 | Painting the PNW in Watercolor with Claire Giordano - Online, 2 sessions
FEB 14 | Under the Surface with Bird Bones and Skeletons with David Lukas - Online
FEB 21 | Wilderness Survival Essentials in the Pacific Northwest with Jason Knight - Online
FEB 24 | Mt Baker Winter Tracking on Snowshoes with Chris Byrd - Shuksan Picnic Area
MAR 9 | Plein Air Watercolor with Claire Giordano - Seahurst Park
MAR 13 | The Wow of Bird Colors with David Lukas - Online
MAR 30 | Wilderness Survival Essentials in the PNW with Jason Knight - Rasar State Park
APR 10 | Understanding Bird Songs with David Lukas - Online
APR 20 | Columbia Basin Natural History Ramble with Chris Byrd - Potholes State Park
APR 24 | Wolves in Washington Update - Online
MAY 4 | Go with the Flow: Waterfall and Stream Photography with Juan Aguilera
MAY 4 | Birding on the Snow Goose with Amanda Colbert - Bellingham Bay
MAY 8 | It All Begins in the Nest with David Lukas - Online
MAY 12 | Snake Count in the Methow Valley with John Rohrer & Scott Fitkin - Methow Valley
MAY 18 | San Juan Islands Exploration on the Orion with Institute naturalists
MAY 31 | Spring Birding in the Methow Valley with Libby Mills - Methow Valley
If you can't make the specific date or time of an online class, you can still register and we will send you a link to view the program on your own time. Military, student and disability discounts & scholarships are available for in-person classes.
SKAGIT VALLEY WINTER BIRDING WITH BRENDAN McGARRY |
GHOST BEARS: SEARCHING FOR THE NORTH CASCADES GRIZZLY BEAR |
NOW REGISTERING FAMILY GETAWAYS 2024
Sign up before Dec 31 to receive 2023 pricing!
We have exciting plans for Family Getaways next July and August, including delicious meals in our lakeside dining hall, a daily slate of engaging activities, and fun outdoor adventures. In the evenings, we’ll gather around the campfire with stories and songs beneath the stars of the North Cascades night sky. Anyone you call a family is welcome: parents, grandparents, children, guardians, aunts and uncles, friends, and nontraditional families.
Institute News
DECEMBER 8: NEW NORTH CASCADES HIKING BOOK EVENT
This Friday at Village Books in Fairhaven, we’re joining John D'Onofrio to celebrate the launch of his new book, Hiking Mt. Baker & The North Cascades—an exploration of the natural beauty of this wondrous region. Reserve your seat and get inspired for your next North Cascades hike!
AMY BROWN'S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION JOURNEYFrom being an Institute M.Ed. graduate student to creating high school programs like North Cascades Wild and Youth Leadership Adventures to working as an AmeriCorps Program Director at WWU, Amy Brown has had an eventful journey in environmental education. In a new post, she shares highlights, mishaps and lessons learned along the way. |
YOUTH-LED FLOODING AWARENESS PROJECTThis week, our Skagit cohort of students in Youth for the Environment and People (YEP!) distributed their timely brochure, Flooding in Skagit County to local communities. Researched and designed by the students, this informative piece came with fresh-baked goodies, and is perfectly timed while flood warnings are in effect in local counties! |
JANUARY 26: CHRIS MORGAN LIVE AT MOUNT BAKER THEATER
You’ll feel like you’re right there with conservationist, TV host, and podcast producer Chris Morgan as he sloshes through jungles and crunches across Arctic sea ice pulling you into the fascinating and emotional stories of wonder and hope from our incredible planet. North Cascades Institute is a proud sponsor of this event and hope to see you there!
15% OFF FEATURED HOLIDAY GIFTS
Our gift shop is full of handpicked items for the nature-lover in your life. Be they an Urban Birder, Backcountry Explorer, Day Hiker, Bookworm or Junior Ranger, we have gifts specially-priced at 15% OFF through Dec. 31!
Gift Certificates for 2024 Institute programs are also now in our online shop!
TAX-SMART YEAR-END GIVING
Make a strategic and meaningful investment for the future by donating from your IRA, Donor Advised Fund, or with appreciated stock. Your gift today will connect more people to nature and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders!
Learn more and contact us at give@ncascades.org.
