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As autumn deepens, the mountains settle into a quieter rhythm. Golden larches fade to bronze, the air turns crisp, snow dusts the crowns of peaks, and great flocks of migrating birds return to the misty fields of the Skagit Valley. Here at the Institute, we’re embracing the season’s slower pace—a time for reflection, gratitude, and gathering together to celebrate the connections between people and the natural world. Whether you’re joining us for a fall program, exploring the trails on your own, or simply taking in the changing light, we hope this month fills you with inspiration and a renewed sense of wonder.
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Vamos Outdoors Project, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, and The Salish Sea School this fall on a new bilingual salmon education program—Recorrido por el Río, or River Journey. This program helps students deepen their understanding of the watersheds where they live, fostering a sense of belonging and environmental stewardship.
November 2025
▸ NOVEMBER BASE CAMP STAYS AT THE LEARNING CENTER 25% OFF
▸ NEW! CASCADIA PATHWAYS GRADUATE PROGRAM
▸ FREE READINGS WITH SAUL WEISBERG, JEFF VANDERMEER, RENA PRIEST, KURT HOELTING & LANCE RICHARDSON'S NEW BIO OF PETER MATTHIESSEN
▸ WILDERNESS MEDICINE TRAININGS AT THE LEARNING CENTER: H-REMT & REMT
Check out this blog post highlighting a recent bilingual field day where local kids learned about native fish, plants, and ecology in both Spanish and English—including close encounters with pink salmon!
On the topic of salmon, we’re also excited to partner with the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition to host a virtual evening Nov. 20 with local author and poet Rena Priest, featuring her new book Positively Uncivilized. Details and free registration here at wildsalmon.org.
Learning Opportunities
BASE CAMP SEASON'S END RATES: 25% OFF
Wednesday-Sunday, Nov 5-8 and 12-15
Looking for an overnight adventure in the North Cascades during the quiet season? BASE CAMP LEARNING & LODGING at the Environmental Learning Center offers guided seasonal learning activities, tasty meals and overnight accommodations. Come for a night or an extended stay!
DRAWING MOUNTAINS IN INK with Claire Giordano |
BALD EAGLES OF THE SKAGIT VALLEY with Joe Ordoñez |
WILDERNESS MEDICINE TRAINING IN THE NORTH CASCADES
Every year, the North Cascades Institute hosts a variety of intensive Wilderness Medicine skill-building courses for individuals working and playing in wilderness and remote settings. Instruction is offered by respected providers at the Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park. Students receive comprehensive scenario-based training and practical experience in an ideal remote setting with comfortable lodging, meals, and easy access to nearby winter recreation.
AVAILABLE TRAININGS
H-REMT Certification:
Hybrid instruction - online November 3, 2025; onsite December 1-14, 2025
REMT Certification:
Onsite January 19 - February 13, 2026
NEW! FAMILY GETAWAYS 2026
Bring your family to the Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake for a weekend of adventure, connection, and fun! Each day, Institute naturalists lead hands-on activities—guided hikes, nature crafts, outdoor games, big canoe explorations, songs by the campfire, and stargazing the night sky. Lodging and meals included!
Whether your family is traditional, non-traditional, multi-generational, or a group of "chosen family", you’ll return home inspired, refreshed, and full of new memories.
2026 DATES: July 3-5, 10-12, 24-26 and August 7-9, 14-16
Last call! Discover your next great read for the chilly months ahead in presentations by authors and naturalists sharing their latest works. Presented in partnership with Village Books in Bellingham and Third Place Books in Seattle.
Apprentice to Wild with Kurt Hoelting in conversation with Saul Weisberg
Nov 1, 2 pm at Village Books Fairhaven
Out There with Lance Garland
Nov 14, 7 pm at Third Place Books Ravenna
Nov 20, 6 pm at Village Books Fairhaven
True Nature: The Pilgrimage of Peter Matthiessen with Lance Richardson
Nov 17, 7 pm at Third Place Books Lake Forest Park
Nov 18, 6 pm at Village Books Fairhaven
Absolution: A Southern Reach Novel with Jeff Vandermeer
Nov 19, 7 pm at Third Place Books Lake Forest Park
RENA PRIEST ONLINE
On Nov. 20, the Institute is excited to partner with Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition to host a virtual evening with award-winning author and poet Rena Priest and her new book, Positively Uncivilized. The free 90-minute webinar will include a live reading, moderated discussion, and a Q&A with attendees.
Institute News
CASCADIA PATHWAY GRADUATE PROGRAM
Earn your Master’s degree from Alaska Pacific University while gaining paid teaching experience at North Cascades Institute!
The Cascadia Pathway offers a unique opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education (MSOEE) from Alaska Pacific University—while gaining guaranteed, paid employment at North Cascades Institute in your second year. Graduates emerge with a master’s degree, 2 full years of professional work experience, and no tuition debt!
ON OUR BLOG:
MOLLY HASHIMOTO & PAUL BANNICK
We’ve loved hosting two dear friends—and longtime instructors at the Institute—at this fall’s Nature of Writing Speaker Series. In case you missed their inspiring talks, you can find excerpts from their new books on our blog: Molly Hashimoto’s Wildflowers of the West and Paul Bannick’s Woodpeckers, both published by Mountaineers Books in Seattle.
SAVE THE DATE: GIVING TUESDAY, DEC 2
Double your impact by having your donations matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000, on Giving Tuesday! With your support, we can connect even more young people to nature and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders!
And if you live in Whatcom or Skagit, join us at Wander Brewing in Bellingham for Giving Tuesday Pint Night on Tuesday, December 2, from 3-9: pm. Wander will be donating a portion of proceeds to the Institute and we will be giving away fun prizes. Kids and dogs are welcome, and they have non-alcoholic options too.
TAX-SMART GIVING
Make a tax-smart and meaningful investment for the future by year's end by donating through your IRA, Donor Advised Fund, contributing gifts of appreciated stock, or donating unused vehicles. With your support, we will inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Thank you!
Top Image: Fall colors at Yellow Aster Butte, October 2025 by Jodi Broughton, @findingbeauty9
