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Recent Articles

  • October-November 2020 Photo Round-Up!
  • Mountain School at Home “ACHOTUS” Ep3: Lucinda Davis
  • Learn Mountain Photography with Scott Kranz, Dec 2
  • Mountain School at Home “ACHOTUS” Ep2: George Holmes
  • Mountain School @ Home Lesson 16: Glaciers!

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

North Cascades Institute
Travel back to 1918 to meet the sharp-shooting hom Travel back to 1918 to meet the sharp-shooting homesteader and roadhouse proprietor, Lucinda Davis in our third episode of “A Cultural History of the Upper Skagit”. This is a video reinvention of the Mountain School activity known by the acronym "ACHOTUS". Students imagine traveling back in time to meet historical figures with special relevance to this area and gain a fuller understanding of human interaction with this landscape. It’s important to recognize the variety of ways people connect to a place like the Upper Skagit in order to remember that there are other perspectives.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Lucinda Davis was an extraordinary woman and an inextricable part of the story of the Skagit Valley, just like the others you’ll meet in this series. 👀Watch them all at ncascades.org/ms-at-home
Larch season is long gone, but who doesn’t like Larch season is long gone, but who doesn’t like a throwback, larch style. Perhaps you were lucky enough to experience larch season this fall, but if not we can live through the amazing photos our followers have shared with us this fall. #larchon ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @davidtryan
Deserving of its name, the Great Gray owl is the l Deserving of its name, the Great Gray owl is the largest species of owl in North America. This raptor can stand as tall as 32 inches from head to tail, and boasts a wingspan up to 5 feet wide. The “Phantom of the North” is a reclusive bird and rarely seen by humans, making our upcoming virtual series with award-winning author and photographer Paul Bannick a real treat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Explore with us the life histories of two of North America’s most charismatic birds, the Great Gray owl and the Snowy owl through Paul’s breathtaking images, first-hand accounts, video, sound, and science. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ January 7 & 19, 7:00 PM (Just $5 each date!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Learn more and register at ncascades.org/classes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: ©Paul Bannick
Taken back in September when smoke started to fill Taken back in September when smoke started to fill the air. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Wildfires are a natural part of many environments. They are nature's way of clearing out the dead litter on forest floors. This allows important nutrients to return to the soil, enabling a new healthy beginning for plants and animals. Fires also play an important role in the reproduction of some plants.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But too much of anything is never good and with increased drought & less than average snowpack we will continue to see frequent and hotter fires in the area, which cause devastating destruction for both wildlife and humans. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How can humans play a role in trying to prevent large scale wildfires? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @caleb.jacobson
It’s #GivingTuesday—and a great moment to supp It’s #GivingTuesday—and a great moment to support HOPE! Celebrate this world-wide day of charitable giving by making a donation. And THANK YOU for supporting North Cascades Institute to bring transformative educational experiences to our communities. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ >> ncascades.org/give
"Stop trying to force your family to enjoy Nature "Stop trying to force your family to enjoy Nature the way you do, just because an all-White ad agency told you via 15-sec montage what the Great Outdoors is- peakbagging, stump jumping, steep lines and deep powder and isn't - fat, queer, disabled, brown or working class." @skynoire⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Check out @melaninbasecamp blogpost (link in bio, https://bit.ly/333tCnG) for tips on dealing with internalized racism that will hopefully allow you to experience BIPOC community and the outdoors fully. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @melaninbasecamp
With a fiery passion for the mountains, Scott Kran With a fiery passion for the mountains, Scott Kranz specializes in capturing authentic moments on his real adventures in the rugged and beautiful wilds of our natural world. We are excited to host his online class THIS WEDNESDAY when he will share from a deep well of knowledge and skills helping him create amazing photos like this one. Scott will talk about locations and trip planning, understanding and working with light, and composition principles that help create captivating images to better convey your story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To register, CALL (360) 854-2599 before 12:30 PM, Dec. 2.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mountain Photography Composition with Scott Kranz, Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6 PM⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Can't make the date? Sign up and we'll send you the recording afterward to watch when it works for you!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @scott_kranz
Have you taken your deep, cleansing breath yet thi Have you taken your deep, cleansing breath yet this morning? Ease into Saturday with this quiet moment of reflection on Diablo Lake, brought to you by @capo.and.the.tide.
Still full from all that online Thanksgiving feast Still full from all that online Thanksgiving feasting and emotionally fried from all that comes with Thanksgiving zoom family fun times?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What better way to work off that food baby than to safely 😷 take a walk outside, preferably in or around your neighborhood. Benefits of connecting with nature include emotional and mental relief along with other health benefits like improved circulation and decrease in cholesterol. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Who is getting out for a neighborhood stroll? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Remember to #RecreateResponibly, if you choose to head out into more rugged terrain, especially now that we have entered winter conditions ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❄️Check road conditions ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❄️Have a plan B in case your destination is crowded or encounter unsafe conditions ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❄️Have the proper winter and safety gear ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❄️Know your limits ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @missroselouise
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