Statement of support for our friends at the National Park Service and US Forest Service

North Cascades Institute is committed to being a good partner to North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. We are in communication with both agencies’ leadership to discover if there are ways we can support them and their work during these difficult times. Decisions being made in Washington D.C. are translating into significant impacts for our beloved local public lands, and it’s all happening so fast that nobody knows what the coming weeks and months will look like. We will continue to support our hard-working, dedicated friends in the agencies as best we can.

We remain committed to our mission to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. In this time of rapid change and disruption, we believe this is more important than ever.

In the meantime, our colleagues at Washington National Park Fund have shared this helpful reminder: Recreate with care. Being good stewards of our public lands is more important than ever. Get a refresher on Leave No Trace principles, and leave the parks better than you found them. Keep in mind there may be fewer rangers available to help when you visit, so be sure to come prepared and bring the Ten Essentials.

What can I do to support the National Park Service or US Forest Service?

1. Voice your support for our public lands and the people who steward them by contacting your US senators and representatives. Here’s a tool to find out who to contact: www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
2. Thank federal workers. The hardworking staff at North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest are essential to the health and accessibility of our cherished public lands. They maintain trails, conduct research, protect wildlife, fight wildfires, lead educational programs, and ensure that visitors can safely experience these incredible places. We encourage you to take a moment to show your appreciation for these dedicated public servants who care for our lands in every season. Consider sending a handwritten note or drawing to park rangers—if you have kids at home, they especially love receiving artwork from young nature enthusiasts! Small gestures like these go a long way in supporting the people who make our experiences in nature possible. Notes can be mailed to North Cascades National Park or US Forest Service at 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley 98284 or emailed to info@ncascades.org.
3. Recreate with care. Being good stewards of our public lands is more important than ever. Get a refresher on Leave No Trace principles, and leave the parks better than you found them. Keep in mind there may be fewer rangers available to help when you visit, so be sure to come prepared and bring the Ten Essentials.