Field Notes from the North Cascades / August 2023 eNewsletter
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We hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful “classic” Pacific Northwest summer so far! Abundant sunshine and the temperatures have been just right, the skies clear and blue, and we just witnessed an epic Sturgeon Supermoon. And at the end of the month, on August 30, we’ll be graced with a Blue Supermoon—Blue because it is the second full moon of the month, and one of the biggest and brightest of the year. This phenomenon of two Supermoons in the same month won’t happen again until 2037, so enjoy the show!
AUGUST2023
▸ UPCOMING FIELD, LEARNING CENTER & ONLINE CLASSES
▸ CAMPFIRE STORIES IN BELLINGHAM
▸ DIABLO LAKE FALL MORNING BOAT TOURS
Our 2nd Youth Leadership Adventures trip—after spending over a week on Ross Lake—came to a successful conclusion last week. Our YLA Manager Neal shares that “This group spoke many languages and seeing them come together as a team, communicating effectively, including and empowering each member of the group ... it was truly something special. Visiting with them on their first night back, we listened to poems and saw photos of nature art that they created. We heard a story of two students swimming in the water, teaching each other Spanish and Cantonese as they floated together holding each other’s lifejackets. And we listened to them reflect on cultural differences, the importance of nature in their lives, and how they wanted support from adults in the community.” Incredible!
You may have heard about the lightning-caused wildfire on Sourdough Mountain that was discovered last weekend. The fire is currently 534 acres, burning in steep terrain along Sourdough Ridge and being fought with helicopters, scooper planes and ground crews. While the Environmental Learning Center is not directly threatened at this time, our staff vacated campus Wednesday evening at the request of the National Park Service, and we have pressed pause on upcoming programs.
We are thankful for the level of expertise and professionalism the interagency Incident Management Team brings to this situation. You can get Sourdough Fire updates at InciWeb. Trail and camp closure information can be found at NPS.gov. If you have questions about an upcoming Institute program, contact us at (360) 854-2599.
IN MEMORIAM CHARLES CLAASSEN
We are heartbroken to share the news that Chef Charles Claassen passed away on July 27 in an accident on the Skagit River. This has been sudden and shocking to all of us in his extended circle of family, friends and coworkers. Charles was a widely-loved, hard-working and talented chef who was instrumental in helping to open the Environmental Learning Center in 2005. After years away chasing other pursuits, Charles returned last summer and played a huge role in reopening our kitchen after the pandemic. His return raised all of our spirits and we’re so grateful to have had these past 12 months with him in our community once again. We are missing him intensely and send our deepest sympathy to his fiancé, family and friends.
You can read our blog post about Charles’ contribution to the Learning Center and the legacy he leaves as a visionary chef, leader, mentor, hardy adventurer, and friend.
JOIN US FOR DIABLO LAKE FALL MORNING CRUISES
This Fall, North Cascades Institute and Seattle City Light are offering fun, interactive two-hour tours of Diablo Lake aboard the Alice Ross IV Saturdays and Sundays, September 9-October 1. Enjoy the beauty of North Cascades National Park in Autumn—glacier-clad peaks and hidden waterfalls, trees in vibrant autumnal colors—and learn the fascinating natural and cultural history of the area. All ages are welcome and tours are wheelchair accessible.
Call (360) 854-2589 for group bookings and more information.
Learning Opportunities
FIELD EXCURSIONS, LEARNING CENTER and ONLINE CLASSES
Aug 10: "Campfire Stories: Tales from America's National Parks and Trails" - Village Books
Sept 13: Historic Trails in the North Cascades with Judy Bentley - ONLINE*
Oct 13-15: Wild Mushrooms and Culinary Ventures with Erin Moore - full, waitlist available
Oct 13-15: Nature and the Practice of Presence with Kurt Hoelting and Holly Hughes - full, waitlist available
Oct 13-15: Watercolors with Molly Hashimoto - full, waitlist available
Oct 21: Baker Lake Fungal Foray with Erin Moore
Nov 5 & 15: The Art of Maps with Véronique Robigou-Nelson - ONLINE*
* Can't make the specific date? We'll send you a link to watch the video on your own time! Military, Student and Disability discounts and scholarships may be available.
HISTORIC TRAILS OF THE NORTH CASCADES with Judy BentleyONLINE September 13In this online gathering with historian and writer Judy Bentley—author of Hiking Washington’s History—we'll follow in the virtual footsteps of people who have gone before us: an indigenous Okanogan leader, a fur trader, an army lieutenant, the proprietor of a boarding house at Diablo, a Japanese railroad worker, forest service geographer, prospectors, a lonesome homesteader, the infamous Poets on the Peaks and more! |
THE ART OF MAPS with Véronique RobigouONLINE November 5 & 15During this 2-session workshop, artist Véronique Robigou will take you on an interesting tour of intriguing maps reflecting historical events, geological processes, and personal experiences. We’ll learn about elements mappers use and discuss creative choices that facilitate a viewer’s interpretation. With inspiration and prompts from Robigou, we’ll set out on our own creative map-making journey in the week between sessions. |
CAMPFIRE STORIES FROM AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS
Join us for a Nature of Writing Speaker Series event August 10 at Village Books in Bellingham. Dave and Ilyssa Kyu will share Campfire Stories, Vol. II: Tales from America's National Parks and Trails with guest Rena Priest! Inspired by America's beloved national parks, Campfire Stories Volume II is a collection of modern prose, poetry, folklore and more, featuring works from a diverse group of writers who share a deep appreciation of the natural world.
Institute News
NEW ON BLOG: Soul of the Skagit
Soul of the Skagit is a new book of photography and essays about the Skagit River watershed by Christian Murillo. In its pages, Murillo tells a story that embodies the simultaneous power and fragility of nature, a common theme in the face of climate change.
"As the most glacially-influenced river in the Continental United States, the Skagit River is the perfect case study for how the natural world is changing in the Pacific Northwest. Not only is the ecology in the watershed shifting, but so too is our relationship with it."
View a selection of Murillo's gorgeous photos, capturing the river from its headwaters to estuary in the Salish Sea, and read about his intentions with this unique project on our blog.
STAFF VOICES: Why This Work Is Important to Me
“There's a huge body of evidence that connects mental well-being with time spent outside. In this age of screens and social media, I want to make sure we can still get outside and reconnect with that part of ourself that fuels happiness."
Hear more from Elisha and Theo, Lead Program Instructors
AUGUST IS MAKE-A-WILL MONTH
"Having the Institute in our will only makes sense. We want to support that which gives many joy and purpose, hope for our future generations."
— Barbie Eisenberg
In honor of National Make-A-Will Month, we thank our Headwaters Legacy Circle members, such as Barbie Eisenberg (shown here with her daughter Melissa), who have named the Institute as a beneficiary in their will, life insurance plan, trust, or retirement account. Now is the perfect time to consider your legacy and help inspire the next generation of conservation leaders by joining our Headwaters Club Legacy Circle today!
GIFT SHOPS ARE OPEN
On your next visit to the North Cascades, be sure to say Hi! to us in the Institute-operated shops in the park and check out the eclectic selection of souvenirs and gifts: North Cascades National Park apparel, patches, magnets, a variety of books, maps, art, jewelry and more. Choose your stop:
You can also shop online and feel good knowing your purchase benefits youth education in the North Cascades!
Top photo: High schoolers return from this year's 2nd trip with Youth Leadership Adventures
