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Tom Fleischner with Saul Weisberg 40th anniversary events this week

For forty years, the North Cascades Institute has believed transformation happens outdoors—in mossy forests, along singing rivers, under open skies.
This spring, we’re honoring those roots.
This week, join co-founders Tom Fleischner and Saul Weisberg for special 40th anniversary gatherings in Seattle and Bellingham, including a celebration of Tom’s latest book Astonished By Beauty: A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention and a conversation between Tom and Saul on the Institute’s early days, the power of natural history, and why this work matters now. Join Tom and Saul, along with Institute staff and supporters, before each event for a casual happy hour at Chuck’s Hop Shop and Kulshan Trackside.

Our roots run deep. They hold.
Come be part of what’s growing next.

Mark your calendars & RSVP today!

Thurs, May 21: Tom and Saul at Seattle’s Third Place Books, Seward Park (and happy hour at Chuck’s Hop Shop): Info and RSVP

Sat, May 23: Tom and Saul at Bellingham’s Village Books (and happy hour at Kulshan Trackside): Info and RSVP

Here is a short video we made for the Institute’s 25th anniversary on the origin story behind the creation of our organization:

And here is another video with Tom remembering the early inspirations and partnerships that helped to create the Institute, the power of the North Cascades ecosystem and other musings:

 

Booklist review of Astonished By Beauty: A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention 

In this engaging book, Fleischner recounts a lifetime spent immersed in the wonders of the natural world. In evocative prose, Fleischner encourages readers, whether they reside in cities or areas that are more remote, to participate in what he describes as “the practice of mindful attentiveness to our remarkable world.” As a naturalist and conservation biologist, he shares his own practice of studying natural history, from the jungles of the Amazon to the Galapagos Islands to the deserts of Arizona. His awe and passion for the natural world are threaded throughout this highly personal text, providing many firsthand examples of a naturalist actively observing, asking questions, and interpreting. Multiple chapters are devoted to describing the elements of the practice of natural history, including but not limited to “Attentiveness and Receptivity,” “Passion,” and “Humility.” The fundamental principles of natural history are highlighted throughout, offering suggestions on how readers might repair their broken relationship with nature. Whether new to the field or seasoned naturalists, readers will delight in and be inspired by this ode to the marvels of natural history.

— Maren Ostergard

 

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