Field Notes from the North Cascades / June 2024 eNewsletter
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Summer is right around the corner and we are gearing up for an exciting season at the Environmental Learning Center. We are boosting our staff by hiring several positions on the kitchen, housekeeping, operations, and program instruction teams. Some positions are flexible for the season and some offer longer term possibilities—and subsidized housing options are available for all. Please share this opportunity with the job seekers you know!
JUNE 2024
▸ DIABLO LAKE BOAT TOURS SET SAIL JULY 3!
▸ NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY WITH ANDY PORTER
▸ YLA JOINS LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL CAMPOUT
Did you see the story about North Cascades National Park in The Seattle Times? Outdoors reporter Gregory Scruggs wrote a great article about the past and present of our beloved national park. He observed that "visiting a national park in Washington while enjoying a modicum of solitude has become a logistical feat. This summer, Mount Rainier National Park requires timed-entry reservations ... while visitors to Olympic National Park highlights often endure multi-hour waits. But hiding in plain sight is a third option, if ‘national park’ is on your summer bingo card: North Cascades." In his list of 8 North Cascades National Park Adventures, Scruggs also said:
"The North Cascades Institute maintains a world-class environmental learning center on the shores of glacial blue Lake Diablo. It offers spartan but clean and comfortable overnight accommodations in lodge rooms with bunk beds, three healthy cafeteria-style meals included."
And here's some great news for those of you who don’t have campground reservations in the park: we've added more capacity for our popular Base Camp Learning & Lodging program in late July and early August. In addition to lodging and meals, Base Campers enjoy outdoor learning adventures with our naturalists, as well as access to Diablo Lake and many local trails.
Scruggs also called out Skagit Tours on his list, and we always recommend one of the best combos for exploring our neighborhood—whether you’re a local or want to WOW an out of town visitor, book a couple nights with Base Camp and add on a Skagit Tour.
Read on to learn more about what's happening at the Institute in coming months and we hope to see you in the mountains soon!
Beginning JULY 3, North Cascades Institute, in partnership with Seattle City Light, offers visitors fun, interactive tours of the Upper Skagit Valley and North Cascades National Park. Experience the jaw-dropping beauty of Diablo Lake and the North Cascades, learn about the history of the Upper Skagit Hydroelectric Project and enjoy a home-cooked lunch at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center or Dam Good Chicken Dinner at the historic Gorge Inn!
For personalized assistance or questions, contact our registration team Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at (360) 854-2599.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Are you inspired to work in North Cascades National Park this summer? We are hiring several positions to support Adult & Family programs at the Environmental Learning Center:
- Food Service Manager
- Cook and Seasonal Cooks - Full-time & Part-time
- Seasonal Housekeepers - Full-time & Part-time
- Seasonal Operations Assistant
- Program Coordinator
- Seasonal Program Instructors
Operation Coordinator Matt Herbert offers this sunny invite to applicants from our dock on Diablo Lake!
Learning Opportunities
FIELD EXCURSIONS AND ONLINE CLASSES
June 8 | Geologic Evolution of the Skagit River Watershed with Jon Reidel
June 15 | A Guide to Recovering the Sacred Origins of Landscape at Village Books
July 14 | Chasing Butterflies in the North Cascades with David Droppers
Aug 3-4 | Night Sky Photography at Washington Pass with Andy Porter
Aug 10 | Northwest Pollinator Diversity with Bob Gillespie - new!
Aug 24 | Amphibians of PNW Ponds and Streams with Stephen Nyman and Vikki Jackson
Aug 31-Sept 1 | Night Sky Photography at Artist Point with Andy Porter
Sept 14 | North Cascades Carnivores with Bill Gaines - North Cascades - new!
Sept 18 | Soul of the Skagit: Climate Change & Conservation with Christian Murillo - online
Sept 28 | Powerhouse Insider Tour with Seattle City Light - Newhalem - new!
Oct 12 | Fall Colors Photography with Juan G. Aguilera
Oct 20 | Befriending Fungi AM session / PM session with Evan Holmstrom - new!
Oct 26 | Baker Lake Fungal Foray with Erin Moore
Nov 2 | Mushrooms of Cascadia with Evan Holmstrom - Deception Pass
Military, student and disability discounts + scholarships are available for most programs.
STAY & PLAY IN THE NORTH CASCADES
With limited space left in campgrounds in the park this summer, we have two great options for you to stay overnight at the Learning Center!
BASE CAMP LEARNING & LODGING offers interactive learning activities with Institute naturalists, three delicious meals and overnight accommodations in our guest lodges. Bookings available June-August
FAMILY GETAWAYS likewise include tasty meals, lodging and a daily slate of engaging, hands-on activities and outdoor adventures designed for people of all ages. We welcome anyone you call a family: parents, grandparents, children, guardians, aunts and uncles, friends, and nontraditional families. Scholarships are available for this program—call (360) 854-2599. July-August (filling fast!)
CHASING BUTTERFLIES IN THE NORTH CASCADES |
NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY AT WASHINGTON PASS |
Institute News
FREE WORKSHOP AT THE ELC FOR WA EDUCATORS
"Engaging Communities in Forest Education"
July 10-12 at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
Join Pacific Education Institute, WA State Department of Natural Resources, and Skagit Conservation District this summer for a free workshop for Washington State Grades 6-12 educators—meals, lodging and 15.5 STEM Clock Hours are included! As part of this 3-day, immersive overnight professional learning experience, you will develop a deeper understanding of forest resource science through the lens of fire ecology. We’ll explore the impact of local fire and climate on Western Washington forests, learn from forestry professionals, and prepare to bring experiential forest education for your students. Space is limited so register now.
SUMMER RETREAT FACILITIESReserve space this summer for your 2024 or 2025 conference, retreat, family reunion or other group gathering at the Environmental Learning Center! On the wooded shore of Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park, this unique venue inspires reflection and connection to the natural world and each other. Lodging, meals and naturalist-led learning opportunities included.See AVAILABLE DATES on our website! |
THANK YOU FOR GIVING BIG!Thank you to the 200+ donors who supported our Give Big for Youth campaign! We raised nearly $123,000—including $33,500 during the two-day GiveBIG event! These funds will provide more equitable opportunities for young people to discover, reflect, learn, grow, and thrive in the outdoors.We welcome gifts made during any time of year to foster shared experiences in nature at ncascades.org/give. |
YLA JOINS LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL'S ANNUAL CAMPOUT
Our Youth Leadership Adventures team recently joined Whatcom Intergenerational High School on their annual Forest Camp for 2 nights at the River Farm in Deming. The goal was for students to gain experience in tent camping, connect with their environment, and to have fun! Our YLA team lent gear to outfit the students, taught them about orienteering with maps and compasses, and demonstrated shelter building with tarps. Despite some intense rainfall, everyone was excited to be there and by the last night, skies cleared enough for students to find the North Star we had been talking about!
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT
For over 20 years, the Henry M Jackson Foundation has supported North Cascades Institute and Youth Leadership Adventures, helping engage learners from diverse backgrounds, and grow future leaders who are inquisitive, determined, open, and inspiring. In the spirit of their founder, the Foundation’s generous support of our school and youth programs helps spark a lifetime of loving, learning from and protecting the natural world.
SHOP & SUPPORT THE INSTITUTE
Shop in our online store or visit us this summer in one of the Institute-operated gift shops throughout North Cascades National Park!
We have North Cascades National Park apparel, patches and magnets, books and field guides, art prints and postcards, jewelry, and activities for kids. Your purchases help fund our youth education opportunities and create the next generation of public lands stewards.
Top Image: The Northern Lights made a rare appearance over the Pacific Northwest last month; including this spectacular display over the Rainbow Bridge in La Conner as captured by Andy Porter. See more of his work at facebook.com/AndyPorterPhotography and sign up for one of his night photography classes with us at ncascades.org/classes.
