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On the trail with Youth Leadership Adventures

Aug 9, 2022Special Guest

Youth Leadership Adventures offer 9-day long field courses that connect 9th-12th grade students to the natural world while engaging in conversation about climate change and climate solutions. In partnership with North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, participants canoe, backpack, camp and complete stewardship projects while discovering their leadership strengths, building an inclusive community and identifying pathways to a hopeful & sustainable vision of the future. Learn more at ncascades.org/yla. Enjoy this guest post by YLA instructor Talia Schmitt!

With eight students and two instructors packed in the Institute van at the start of a Youth Leadership Adventures trip, we drove up the bumpy forest road to get to Park Butte Trailhead. That day, our crew would hike to Mazama Camp in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area. We’d then spend the next four days exploring the area, participating in trail maintenance, and keeping cool during those hot summer days in the glacier-fed creeks.

Jul 13, 2022North Cascades Institute

Last week, the first cohort of Youth Leadership Adventures (YLA) participants strapped on their boots and shouldered their packs to head into the North Cascades backcountry. One …
Read More of Youth Leadership Adventures students hit the trail

Jun 27, 2022stephanie_friesen

Where did the time go?? Spring flew by, but not so fast that Institute staffers couldn’t document the very best of how we work, learn, and play …
Read More of Spring 2022 Photo Round-Up!

Jun 21, 2022North Cascades Institute

The summer just won’t be the same without Skagit Tours. In November, severe flooding washed out a section of SR 20 leading into Newhalem, reducing traffic to …
Read More of Skagit Tours Canceled (but we have other ideas for fun in the Upper Skagit!)

Jun 7, 2022Special Guest

As soon as you step into a forest, you step into a different space. Depending on the type of forest, the trees may be growing together so …
Read More of “Total Immersion” from Forest Walking

Apr 25, 2022Special Guest

After being inspired by the mission and vision of the Youth Leadership Adventures program, I joined North Cascades Institute’s seasonal staff in June of 2021. I’ve continued …
Read More of Why I Love North Cascades Institute (and you should too!)

Mar 3, 2022stephanie_friesen

Before turning our lens to spring flowers and bursting leaf buds, let’s bring winter into focus with another round-up of staff photos. As the calendar flipped forward, …
Read More of Winter 2021/2022 Photo Round-Up!

Jan 27, 2022Special Guest

The world is changing around us and I want to do my part to help and make a positive impact. — 2021 YEP! Participant, grade 10 The …
Read More of Youth come together for community climate solutions

Jan 19, 2022North Cascades Institute

In 2007, Kristofer Gilje began working for North Cascades Institute as a Facilities Manager at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. His previous experience working at Holden …
Read More of Happy Trails Kristofer Gilje

Jan 4, 2022North Cascades Institute

Since our beginning in 1986, North Cascades Institute has incorporated the arts in to our programs in service of our conservation mission. Writing, painting, poetry, literature, photography …
Read More of Whatcom READS 2022 – Read the book, join the conversation