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Recent Articles

Mountain School at Home “ACHOTUS” Ep4: J.D. Ross
Volver a imaginar el futuro de la Escuela de Montaña: Abrazar la educación centrada en los estudiantes
High school students reflect on climate change and their futures in the North Cascades
Recreate Responsibly: Winter Edition
Connections: Outdoor Learning During a Pandemic

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ncascades

Connecting people, nature and community through education since 1986. #ncascades

We're excited to invite people back to the Environ

We're excited to invite people back to the Environmental Learning Center for BASE CAMP in 2021!

Base Camp offers overnight learning adventures, meals, and accommodations in the heart of North Cascades National Park. Come explore “the American Alps” while enjoying the comforts of our award-winning campus. Each night includes:
• Self-guided outdoor learning adventures
• Private accommodations in our comfortable lodges
• 3 delicious meals made with local, organic ingredients⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Visit ncascades.org/basecamp for details, availability, and to review our coronavirus safety precautions.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📍The Learning Center is located on the ancestral home lands of the Upper Skagit, Nlaka’pamux, Sauk-Suiattle, and Swinomish peoples. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📸: Kiley Kielland

We joined @wa_wild and 108 organizations, Tribes,

We joined @wa_wild and 108 organizations, Tribes, and elected officials to urge the Canadian Government to #stopimerialmetals from mining the Skagit River Headwaters. The iconic Skagit River Watershed provides freshwater, critical salmon habitat, and is central to many Native communities' cultures and treaty rights. Decisions made by our neighbors to the north affect us downstream. Moving forward with mining is a direct threat to one of our state's most beloved natural resources. #Protectskagit Photo credit: The Wilderness Committee

Buckle up once more for the final episode in our v

Buckle up once more for the final episode in our video series “A Cultural History of the Upper Skagit” highlighting historical figures with special relevance to this region.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In this episode you’ll meet J.D. Ross, the “Father of Seattle City Light,” and businessman who set out to create a series of dams with hydroelectric power-generating stations on the Skagit River beginning in 1917. Throughout J.D.’s long career—which included being appointed by FDR to the Securities & Exchange Commission and becoming the first administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration—he kept returning to the Skagit River. Perhaps more than any other person to pass through the area, J.D. Ross drastically changed the face of the North Cascades.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👀Find this video series and all our #mountainschoolathome resources at ncascades.org/ms-at-home

📍Ancestral home lands of the Upper Skagit, Nlaka’pamux, Sauk-Suiattle & Swinomish peoples

Winter is in full effect in the North Cascades, bu

Winter is in full effect in the North Cascades, but isn’t everyone’s favorite time of year. Sure you can shred the gnar, need no excuse to break out the hot chocolate, can layer all the warmest clothing on until you look like a roly poly with no judgement, and can have epic snowball fights. 🤔 winter doesn’t sound too bad, but for those of you who aren’t into it here is a picture of it not being winter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you love winter, what’s your favorite wintertime activity?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: @sarina_pizzala⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍Ancestral homelands of the Syilx’ tmix (Okanagan), Wenatchi, Coast Salish & Yakama peoples

NOW HIRING: North Cascades Institute is recruiting

NOW HIRING: North Cascades Institute is recruiting for a Youth Leadership Assistant Coordinator to support our 2021 @youth_leadership_adventures program!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We are seeking a candidate who is passionate about breaking down barriers to access to the outdoors and wants to support high school students getting involved with our Youth Leadership Adventures program. The Assistant Coordinator will lead recruitment, registration, and enrollment of students for this program, as well as support with logistics and administrative support while trips are out during the summer season.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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👉Visit ncascades.atsondemand.com for a full job description and to apply.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: Sarah Parker

Happy #wildlifewednesday! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Happy #wildlifewednesday! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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OMG somebody is prepared for that snow life and lookin good to boot!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know you can take your pup on any trail within Ross Lake recreation area & in nearby Forest Service lands?! The recreation area resides within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex and there is forest service land bordering much of the park. But once you hit that park boundary, no dogs allowed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you choose to take your dog on the trail with you, please keep them on a leash & pick up after your precious fur babe 💩. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you take your dog on adventures with you? What’s your favorite dog friendly trail? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: @adventures_of_lil_roo

Sometimes referred to as the polar owl, the white

Sometimes referred to as the polar owl, the white owl, and the Arctic owl, the Snowy owl is most commonly found in its native habitat on open tundra all the way around the Arctic Circle. A Snowy owl has many adaptations allowing it to live in such a chilly habitat and make it quite unique among owls. It is one of the largest species by mass and the only one with the distinctive white plumage that helps it blend with its environment. Keeping these raptors warm are fine, fur-like feathers on their face, beak, legs, and feet. It is very rare to see a Snowy owl, making our upcoming virtual event with award-winning author and photographer Paul Bannick a real treat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Explore with us the life history of one of North America’s most charismatic birds, the Snowy owl through Paul’s breathtaking images, first-hand accounts, video, sound, and science.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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January 19, 7:00 PM (Just $5!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Register at ncascades.org/classes or call 360-854-2599 before 12:30 PM, Jan. 19⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: ©Paul Bannick

The bald eagle is a bird of prey found near large

The bald eagle is a bird of prey found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old growth trees for nesting. Their winter migration to the North Cascades provides an opportunity to observe and photograph them in groups, feeding along riverbeds or roosting in trees in numbers that only occur from December to February when they come from as far away as Alaska to feast on carcasses of salmon that spawn, then die, along the upper Skagit River. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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To see eagles up close:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🦅 Use a telescope, binoculars or a telephoto lens⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🦅 Keep noise low and your movements slow ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🦅 Whenever possible, stay in your car and use it as a blind from which to photograph the eagles. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🦅 Stay away from the river’s edge and gravel bars where eagles are feeding, especially between 5 and 11 a.m.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🦅 Use public areas along rivers and be courteous to local landowners. Do not walk across private property.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: @gecamp

FEB 8-12: Online and in-person H-WFR course provid

FEB 8-12: Online and in-person H-WFR course providing anyone working or playing in wilderness settings with the skills and confidence needed to administer emergency care when evacuation is hours or days away.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Students receive comprehensive scenario-based training and practical experience in an ideal remote setting, while enjoying private lodging, organic meals, and access to winter recreation.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📍Located at the Environmental Learning Center in North Cascades National Park on Diablo Lake, and offered by respected provider @remotemedicaltraining. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Register at ncascades.org/remt or call 206-686-4878

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