Field Notes from the North Cascades / November 2022 eNewsletter
No images? Click here
It's the month when gratitude takes center stage, and here at year’s end there is a lot that we’re feeling grateful for. THANK YOU to all the people, organizations and partners that have helped us weather a challenging year. Reopening the Environmental Learning Center and restarting our programs after two years stuck in the pandemic has been harder than we anticipated, with lots of unexpected speed bumps along the way.
We also give thanks for the rains that finally returned on October 21—after one of our region’s driest Summers and Autumns—helping put down the many small wildfires that were burning throughout the North Cascades, creating the worst air quality we've ever experienced on Diablo Lake. Several weeks of Mountain School had to be canceled and some staff migrated downvalley, where the air was only marginally better. It was a hard period for our instructors who were excited to finally teach in-person again, and harder yet for the 5th graders who missed out on an unforgettable learning experience in the North Cascades. (We're creatively working to reschedule them all next Spring.)
NOVEMBER 2022
▸ "YOUTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE!" IN THE SKAGIT VALLEY
▸ A FREE EVENING OF POETRY WITH RENA PRIEST
▸ TREE TALKS WITH THEO: WESTERN LARCH
▸ MOUNTAIN SCHOOL REFLECTIONS
▸ WILDERNESS MEDICINE COURSES AT THE LEARNING CENTER: FEB 2023
With the rain's return, Mountain School is back on track and we're hosting classrooms from Mt. Vernon, Burlington, Ferndale and elsewhere through early December. Our kitchen is feeding hungry kids with a new team of talented cooks, including the return of Charles Claassen, who was our chef when the Environmental Learning Center opened in 2005.
We hope you’ll consider supporting transformative learning experiences in nature by including North Cascades Institute in your year-end giving plans.
Institute News
YOUTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE!
The Youth for the Environment and People! (YEP!) program is an opportunity for high school students to share ideas, learn about climate change solutions and engage in local stewardship. We're working with six dedicated Skagit students this fall to create a climate action project in their local communities. After spending the first few weeks exploring our group's strengths and reflecting upon our shared passions, they decided to start up food composting systems in their schools and write an article about the impact of food waste for the local newspaper.
We're grateful for Jennifer Willup, an environmental educator and member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, for a tour of the Kukutali Preserve and teaching our group about the history of the land and the native plants that grow there.
SEEKING YOUTH LEADERSHIP COORDINATOR
North Cascades Institute seeks a skilled logistics coordinator, supervisor and educator to join our Youth Leadership team. This position will help with student recruitment and enrollment, course planning, curriculum design, staff training, mentorship and leading the the YEP! program. We offer a competitive compensation package including paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, retirement plan and other benefits. Meals are provided when programs are in session and housing options in the Upper Skagit Valley are available.
TREE TALKS WITH THEO: WESTERN LARCHES OF THE NORTH CASCADESTheodore Hoss loves trees and teaching people about them. In "Tree Talks with Theo"—a new video series for the Institute's Mountain School @Home initiative—he introduces people of all ages to forest ecology and a few important species from the North Cascades. Get ready to learn all about Alpine Larches in this video shot from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest! |
MOUNTAIN SCHOOL REFLECTIONS“Excited. Nervous. Fresh faced and wide awake. Terrified, but beyond ready. These are just a few of the emotions that I like to imagine were felt equally between myself and the incoming Methow Valley Elementary 5th grade class ... After all, none of us had ever done this before.” Instructor Al Kahn reflects on their first week with students at the Environmental Learning Center in “Mountain School Reflections: Teaching is a Two-way Street”. |
NOW BOOKING 2023 CONFERENCES & RETREATS
North Cascades Institute invites you to reserve space at the Environmental Learning Center for your 2023 group gathering! Located on the wooded shores of Diablo Lake in the heart of North Cascades National Park, this unique, green-built venue inspires reflection and connection to the natural world as well as to each other. Welcoming conferences, retreats, reunions, trainings, workshops, and other gatherings.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
A FREE EVENING OF POETRY WITH RENA PRIEST | November 12
Join us online for a FREE poetry reading with Washington's Poet Laureate Rena Priest, the first Indigenous poet laureate of our Evergreen State. In her poems, you'll find multiple perspectives, a full suite of linguistic skills, and an incredible blend of wit, sentiment, perceptivity and boldness. Hearing Priest read aloud her work offers insights into our relationship with the natural world, compassion with the human experience, humorous takes on life and her perspective as a member of Lummi Nation.
Josephine Woolington's Where We Call Home at Village Books | Nov 19 In her new book, Josephine Woolington turns back the clock to review historical events that have challenged Pacific Northwest wildlife and sheds light on the diverse species whose populations are slowly declining. Through interviews with educators, scientists and leaders from the Haida Nation, the Yakama Nation, the Makah Tribe and beyond, she invites us to decenter our singular perspective for a more empathic, collective approach. |
The Art of the Map with Véronique Robigou | Nov 20 & 30 Maps are powerful, visual tools that tell stories of exploration. Artist Véronique Robigou invites you on a guided exploration of intriguing maps reflecting historical events, geological processes, and personal experiences. We’ll learn about the elements that mappers use to compose maps, and discuss creative choices that facilitate interpretation. Then, with prompts from Robigou, we’ll set out on our own map-making journey! |
WILDERNESS MEDICINE COURSES IN THE NORTH CASCADES
North Cascades Institute is hosting intensive First Aid skill-building courses for individuals working and playing in wilderness and remote settings. Instruction is offered by Remote Medical Training at the Environmental Learning Center in North Cascades National Park. Students receive comprehensive scenario-based training and practical experience in an ideal remote setting. Lodging and meals included.
Remote Medicine for Advanced Providers (RMAP)
On-site: Feb 6-11, 2023
Remote Medicine Upgrade and Recertification (RMUR)
On-site: Feb 13-17, 2023
Hybrid Wilderness First Responder (H-WFR)
Online: Jan 23, 2023
On-site: Feb 20-24, 2023
Ways to Support
2023 GIFT CERTIFICATES: $100 value for only $80
Share your love of the North Cascades with friends and family by giving them the gift of getting outdoors in meaningful ways. This promotion offers $100 value for only $80 and can be used toward 2022 programs including: Learning Center and Field Excursions, Online Classes, Family Getaways, and Base Camps ... and yes, it's okay to gift yourself too!
Call 360-854-2599 (Mon-Fri, 9-4) or email info@ncascades.org
MAGNIFY YOUR FINANCIAL IMPACT
Whether you are working remotely or in the office, magnify your valuable donation with a workplace giving campaign and/or company matching dollars. This includes programs for federal, state, municipal, county, private sector and university employees. Thank you for maximizing your power to foster environmental stewardship!
20% OFF IN OUR ONLINE SHOP
Just in time for the holidays, Heather Meadows and Artist Point art and gifts are on sale in our online shop. This line includes mugs, posters, matted prints, greeting cards and more. Order before December 14 to receive in time for the holidays!
ALSO ON SALE: Stuffed Animals!
Top Photo: Larches at Blue Lake by Christian Martin
