Field Notes from the North Cascades / October 2023 eNewsletter No images? Click here It's officially Autumn now that we've traveled past the Fall Equinox, and you can feel the shift in the air and see signs all around. Like most Pacific Northwesterners, we feel a sense of relief with the return of the rain. Not only does it have us reaching for our favorite sweater, but it brings moisture to the thirsty land after a drier than usual summer, feeds the rivers, welcomes the salmon home and helps to finally extinguish the wildfires in the Cascades. Speaking of, the behavior of the Sourdough Fire has moderated with the return of cooler temperatures and wetter weather, though the last official update still has the fire at more than 7,000 acres and 25% containment. There will be no change in containment until significant rain or snow, known as a “season ending event.” Campfires are again allowed in designated areas in frontcountry and backcountry campsites, but some trail and camp closures remain in effect. OCTOBER 2023▸ NEW & UPCOMING FIELD and ONLINE CLASSES▸ FALL NATURE OF WRITING SPEAKER SERIES: TIM MCNULTY, GRAHAM ZIMMERMAN and JOHN D'ONOFRIO▸ STUDENT VOICES PODCASTS FROM YLA▸ BIGG'S KILLER WHALES ON OUR BLOG Our staff evacuated the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center on August 2 due to the fire. But recently—nearly two months later—we have been granted limited access to return. The good news is that the fire did not damage any of our buildings or immediate campus grounds. This is a huge sigh of relief! But with electricity turned off for long periods of time, other issues have occurred. Our Operations Team have just been allowed access to survey campus and start the work of fixing broken water systems, dealing with spoiled food and compost, making safety evaluations and doing much deep cleaning. This work is going to take several months before we are able to reopen. The area remains closed to the public, but we look forward to welcoming people of all ages back in early 2024. We have been using this unanticipated pause as a time to bolster our programs, reevaluate Learning Center operations, and strengthen our capabilities. Meanwhile we are still fulfilling our mission by offering transformative learning experiences in nature including Field Excursions, Online Classes, Youth for the Environment and People (YEP!) and the Nature of Writing Speaker Series in Bellingham. Our 2024 program schedule is taking shape too... stay tuned! Did you know... that many companies and governmental organizations offer workplace giving opportunities such as annual giving campaigns and donations through payroll deduction? Additionally, many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage philanthropy among their employees.Learning Opportunities FIELD EXCURSIONS, ONLINE CLASSES & EVENTS Oct 3 | Teaching in the Rain: The Story of North Cascades Institute—NoW* event with John Miles *Nature of Writing (NoW) Speaker Series events are hosted by Village Books and take place in locations around Bellingham. See our blog for details and RSVP info.
BEYOND BORDERS: TRANSBOUNDARY CONSERVATION |
NEW ON BLOG: Bigg's Killer Whales and FisherpeopleOne of our favorite parts of the Nature of Writing Speaker Series is having the opportunity to publish excerpts from new nature-related books. Read an essay and poem about orcas from the Cascadia Field Guide (courtesy of The Mountaineers Books) and reflections on memoir writing from Tele Aadsen’s What Water Holds (courtesy of Empty Bowl), then go buy the books from your local bookseller! |
IN THE NEWS: Sourdough Fire and the Learning CenterThe Sourdough Mountain Fire |
On Youth Leadership Adventures backcountry trips, high school students 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 on the final evening of their trip as they reflect on climate change, connections with nature, and access to the outdoors.
TOPICS INCLUDE: Impacts from YLA Trips, Memorable Moments from the Backcountry, and Messages to Adults: Environmental Stewardship