Field Notes from the North Cascades / February 2024 eNewsletter
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It's February and we're entering the liminal, grey borderlands between winter and spring. February is the shortest month of the year, but often feels like the longest!
"In February, there is everything to hope for and nothing to regret."
—Patience Strong, poet
We're thrilled for February because with it comes a return to the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center for the first time since the Sourdough Fire evacuation in August. While a few dedicated operations team members have been hard at work since October, a growing muster of staff are on campus to prepare for a fabulous year of programs and connections.
FEBRUARY 2024
▸ WINTER FIELD & ONLINE CLASSES
▸ BASE CAMP LEARNING & LODGING OPEN FOR 2024 BOOKINGS
▸ BIRD BIOLOGY ONLINE MASTERCLASS
▸ THANK YOU NAN, GERRY & DUNHAM!
We're welcoming the 2024 Program Instructors to the Environmental Learning Center this month: nine passionate educators from across the country joining our team on Diablo Lake to help provide a variety of transformative programs throughout the year. This month they will get certified as Wilderness First Responders, learn about the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades, and get trained on how to teach our Mountain School Curriculum. We are excited to see them grow with us this year!
Nearly a dozen members of the Operations team—cooks, housekeepers, maintenance techs, and more—are arriving as well, ready to finish putting the campus to rights and making it ready to welcome Mountain School students starting March 4.
Our staff are not the only ones excited to be returning to our campus on Diablo Lake. Our resident raven Elvis has had some lonely months with few visitors this winter. Seen here at Diablo Lake Overlook (and in top image, perched on the same branch), and greets some of our staff in the parking lot. Corvid expert John Marzluff tells us that Elvis is around 19 years old—lifespans in the wild are typically 10-15 years—and he looks like he has many more years in him!
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Are you inspired to work in North Cascades National Park this summer? We’re hiring Youth Leadership Instructors to guide high schoolers on backcountry trips and Retail Assistants to serve visitors in Institute-operated gift shops throughout the park. We are also recruiting a Food Service Supervisor and Maintenance Technician at the Environmental Learning Center. Learn more and apply at ncascade.org/jobs.
Learning Opportunities
FIELD EXCURSIONS, ONLINE CLASSES & EVENTS
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 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 | Outdoor Survival Skills 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 | Waterfall and Stream Photography with Juan Aguilera - Newhalem
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
MAY 18 | San Juan Islands Exploration on the Orion with Institute naturalists
MAY 31 | Spring Birding in the Methow Valley with Libby Mills
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.
BASE CAMP LEARNING & LODGING
Dates in June, July & August available for booking!
Base Camp offers overnight learning adventures, meals and accommodations at the Environmental Learning Center in the heart of North Cascades National Park. Come explore the American Alps with friends and family while enjoying the comforts of our campus on Diablo Lake. Each night includes:
- Learning activities with Institute naturalists
- Private rooms in our guest lodges
- 3 delicious meals
- Access to local trails, dock & beach, and options for adventures further afield!
PAINTING THE PNWJoin local artist Claire Giordano for unique workshops exploring the wonders of the Pacific Northwest with watercolors. Online and in-person sessions available, suitable for painters of all skill levels. FEB 4 & 11 | Painting the PNW in Watercolor with Claire - Online, 2 sessions |
WINTER SURVIVAL & TRACKINGDeepen your appreciation for winter recreation and natural history by signing up for this suite of snow-centric courses being offered both online and in the field.FEB 21 | Wilderness Survival Essentials with Jason Knight - Online |
UNDERSTANDING BIRD BIOLOGY:
Online Masterclass with David Lukas
This new series of four online classes offered by Methow Valley author, naturalist and educator David Lukas is designed to follow the changing seasons as we explore some of the key features of bird lives throughout the year.
David is a well-known naturalist based in the Methow Valley, author of several books and veteran of 1000s of natural history tours, classes, and presentations. Learn more about David at methownaturenotes.com.
All classes are online and only $10 each! Can't make a specific date? Register and we'll send you the recording to view on your own time.
FEBRUARY 14
Under the Surface with Bird Bones and Skeletons
MARCH 13
The Wow of Bird Colors
APRIL 10
Understanding Bird Songs
MAY 8
It All Begins in the Nest
Institute News
Alan Alatorre-Barajas’ Environmental Education JourneyAlan Alatorre-Barajas is an Institute student alumni and Vamos Outdoors Project board and leadership team member in the Skagit Valley: "I wouldn’t be at Vamos if it wasn’t for my experience at North Cascades Institute." Follow Alan's environmental education journey on our blog. |
Gratitude for our Board MembersAt the end of 2023, long-serving Board Members Nan McKay, Gerry Cook and Dunham Gooding reached term limits after their long tenures. The y each helped guide the Institute through a period of rapid growth and increasing impact. Read a fun and moving tribute to this trio of visionary leaders by Institute founder and former Executive Director Saul Weisberg on our blog. |
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT
North Drinkware is a dedicated supporter of North Cascades Institute and a proud member of 1% for the Planet. As part of their mission to protect the mountains and improve surrounding communities, North Drinkware donates 1% from all sales of their Mount Baker pint glasses & tumblers to the Institute to help inspire others to support environmental stewardship. Shop their Mount Baker line—hand-blown by local artisans in Portland.
DO YOU LOVE THE NORTH CASCADES?
One of the best ways to show your love for the natural world is by listing North Cascades Institute as a beneficiary in your will, life insurance plan, trust, or retirement account. By doing so, you foster future generations to protect the environment for years to come!
Learn more about joining our Headwaters Club Legacy Circle today!
Top photos: View from Diablo Lake Overlook and Elvis by Jodi Broughton, January 2024
