Field Notes from the North Cascades / January 2024 eNewsletter
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Happy New Year! Here's wishing everyone a great start to 2024, and a prayer for snow to fall in the Cascades!
Last year was one of the most trying years we've had to get through, which makes us extra grateful for all of you who generously supported us to foster environmental stewardship in people of all ages and backgrounds. Despite the challenges, there were many bright spots including ...
- 2,059 5th graders at the Environmental Learning Center in the spring for Mountain School
- 510 miles paddled in canoes by high school students on Ross Lake
- 2,000 adults & families learning and playing together on Diablo Lake
- 1,800 people exploring the natural and cultural history of the Upper Skagit on a Skagit Tour
- 10,850 T-shirts sold in our retail stores, supporting school and youth programs
- and the more than 850 individuals, families and organizations who generously supported the Institute in 2023!
You can help us get off to a strong start in the new year by making a gift today.
JANUARY 2024
▸ WINTER FIELD & ONLINE CLASSES
▸ CHRIS MORGAN LIVE AT MOUNT BAKER THEATER
▸ NOW HIRING AT THE LEARNING CENTER
▸ WHY ARE THE NORTH CASCADES SO SNOWY?
HIRING AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
Are you a food service professional, excited to work in a stunning, mountain setting? Or do you have a keen mind for operations or housekeeping and love working in a dynamic, collaborative environment? We are hiring several positions on the Operations and Kitchen Teams, and we are excited to hear from you!
Learning Opportunities
FIELD EXCURSIONS, ONLINE CLASSES & EVENTS
We're excited to announce a host of brand new classes! Birding, art, grizzlies, geology, photography, and more—sign up for your next learning adventure today!
JAN 26 | "A Life in THE WILD" with Chris Morgan - Bellingham
JAN 27 | Skagit Valley Winter Birding with Brendan McGarry - Skagit Valley
JAN 31 | Searching for the North Cascades Grizzly Bear with Bill Gaines - Online
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 in the PNW 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 | Wilderness Survival Essentials in the PNW 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 - Methow Valley
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.
GET WILD WITH CHRIS MORGAN IN BELLINGHAM! - JANUARY 26
You’ll feel like you’re right there with conservationist, TV host, and podcast producer Chris Morgan at the Mount Baker Theater as he sloshes through jungles and crunches across Arctic sea ice pulling you into the fascinating and emotional stories of wonder and hope from our incredible planet.
Check out this video Chris sent us from Diablo Lake Overlook on why you'll want to be there on January 26!
GHOST BEARS: SEARCHING FOR THE NORTH CASCADES GRIZZLY BEAR |
BALD EAGLES OF THE SKAGIT WITH JOE ORDÓÑEZ |
WINTER SURVIVAL SKILLS & TRACKING CLASSES
Deepen your appreciation for winter recreation and natural history by signing up for this suite of snow-centric courses being offered both online & in the field.
FEB 21, Online | Wilderness Survival Essentials
FEB 24 | Mt Baker Winter Tracking on Snowshoes
MAR 30, Rasar State Park | Wilderness Survival Essentials
Institute News
THE SCIENCE OF SNOWWhy are the North Cascades one of the snowiest mountain ranges in North America? How did the Mount Baker Ski Area set a world record for snowfall measured in a single season in 1998-99? Skagit naturalist and landscape photographer Wyatt Mullen explains the science behind the snowfall in a new post replete with gorgeous mountain pics! |
WINTER PHOTO ROUND-UPWinter has brought a hush to the mountains, but we’re busy in every corner of the Institute—cleaning up the Learning Center after this summer’s evacuation, updating Mountain School curriculum, supporting high schoolers on a climate action project, and launching new classes for adults! We also made time to celebrate the end of the year at a local bowling alley! |
VILLAGE BOOKS = BFF!
From publishing John Miles' book Teaching in the Rain—which chronicles the Institute's inspiring first 35 years—to partnering with us on another incredible season of the Nature of Writing series, our partnership with Village Books fosters a deep connection to our local community and inspires nature (and book!) lovers to get to know the world around them.
This January, Village Books is amplifying their support by making the Institute their Round It Up partner. When you shop at their Bellingham and Lynden stores, you can round up your purchase to help us get more youth outside, connecting with the natural world and one another.
Top photo by Wyatt Mullen, a Skagit-based landscape photographer, science communicator and author of A Neverending Cascade of Snow on our blog.
