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NCCC

Polly Dyer: NW conservation hero passes away at age 96

Polly Dyer: NW conservation hero passes away at age 96
Nov 23, 2016Christian Martin

In the North Cascades, a mosaic of public lands—national, state, and provincial parks, national forests, wilderness and recreation areas—protects many of the region’s most beloved areas. It’s …
Read More of Polly Dyer: NW conservation hero passes away at age 96

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  • Reflections on the Parks Climate Challenge program
  • ¡La Escuela de Montaña cumple 30 años!: Actualización de plan de estudios para mejor servir a los estudiantes y maestros 
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  • Dec 2020-Jan 2021 Photo Round-up!
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Connecting people, nature and community through education since 1986. #ncascades

North Cascades Institute
“There is a way that nature speaks, that land sp “There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” –Linda Hogan ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: @missroselouise
Every day, the living things of the natural world Every day, the living things of the natural world are changing in dramatic ways in response to the cycle of seasons. Plants, animals, fungi, and even our climate all go through cycles of change as each season gives way to the next. With the first day of Spring fast approaching on March 20th, now is the perfect time to tune in to nature’s calendar and observe what’s happening around us.

The study of seasonal change in nature is called Phenology and as you’ll find out in this #mountainschoolathome lesson, anyone can do it. If you have ever noticed the first flowers and calls of songbirds in Spring then you have already made a phenological observation!

Visit ncascades.org/ms-at-home to download Lesson 5: Tuning In to the Seasons with Phenology 

📸: Angela Burlile, Diablo Lake across the seasons

📍Ancestral home lands of the Upper Skagit, Nlaka’pamux, Sauk-Suiattle & Swinomish peoples
In celebration of International Women's Month in M In celebration of International Women's Month in March, @teresabaker11 has partnered with amazing women and outdoor organizations for a virtual women's outdoor summit. The event is geared toward cisgender and transgender women, as well as people who experience gender discrimination in their outdoor professional and personal lives. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Registration is now open and free for anyone who would like to attend the three day virtual event starting March 11.  All people are welcome who are comfortable in a space that centers the experience of women. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Highlights of the event include an opening message from @repdebhaaland, panels and workshops led by @jennybruso, @browngirl_green, @cerowastecindy and keynotes from @intersectionalenvironmentalist, @finneysmojo & @xicanaafuera. Land acknowledgements from @jalyn.gough⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We've put a link in our bio for registration details and schedule of events. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Who's thinking of attending?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: @teresabaker11
Watercolors are a beautifully unpredictable medium Watercolors are a beautifully unpredictable medium. In our upcoming 2-hour virtual workshop with environmental artist and writer Claire Giordano, you can learn how to use it to create beautiful North Cascades scenes like the one shown here! From making expressive skies, to shortcut techniques for painting trees and rock, Claire will simplify the complexities of watercolor with easy to follow steps that embrace the natural tendencies of the medium. And by utilizing a single pigment of color, she will help us explore the stunning ways watercolor can capture light and shadow.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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March 13 at 11 AM: Watercolor Mountains in Monochrome⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Learn more and sign up at ncascades.org/classes. Can't make the date? Register for the class and we'll send you the recording afterward to watch when it works for you! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Are you @youth_leadership_adventures alumni? Sign up for FREE by calling 360-854-2599⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: Claire Giordano
Mountain Monday trivia: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🏔 Considered one of the most remote and rugged mountain ranges in the North Cascades with few trails ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🏔 Located  on the ancestral homelands of the Nlaka’pamux & Syilx tmix (Okanagan) people ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🏔 Named for its resemblance to a certain type of fence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🏔 Some peak names include Terror, Fury, Inspiration & Challenger ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🏔 The rock is biotite gneiss, formed by metamorphism of sedimentary and volcanic rocks about 100 million years ago.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What North Cascades mountain range am I?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: @mitchpittman
Please enjoy this quiet (and chilly!) moment captu Please enjoy this quiet (and chilly!) moment captured at the Diablo Lake Overlook by program instructor Alexa. Just around the bend from our Environmental Learning Center, this overlook is a popular stop for stretches and snacks along the North Cascades Highway portion of the Cascade Loop—which was very recently designated as one of 184 National Scenic Byways. Congratulations @cascadeloop! 🥳

The three dominant peaks shown in order are Davis, Pyramid, and Colonial. Be sure to check on seasonal closures of North Cascades Highway 20 when planning your own visit!

📸: Alexa Brandt

📍Ancestral homelands of the Upper Skagit, Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ, Swinomish, Syilx Tmix (Okanagan) & Sauk-Suiattle peoples⠀
North Cascades Institute is seeking candidates for North Cascades Institute is seeking candidates for YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTRUCTORS to lead teens in wilderness backpacking and camping courses in the North Cascades. Our @youth_leadership_adventures program hosts courses incorporating outdoor skills and service work as well as curriculum in natural and cultural history, climate change and solutions, leadership, and community engagement.  YLA Instructors facilitate learning while acting as role models and guides for students in an inclusive environment that celebrates diverse life perspectives and experiences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Are you passionate about contributing to a mission of inspiring environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature? Go to ncascades.org/careers for the full job description and apply before MARCH 19!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📍Ancestral home lands of the Upper Skagit, Nlaka’pamux, Sauk-Suiattle & Swinomish peoples
Black researchers, activists, inventors & naturali Black researchers, activists, inventors & naturalists in STEM: Henrietta Lacks⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🧬 In 1950 at the age of 30, Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed with cervical cancer. While undergoing treatment, a doctor took a biopsy of her tumor without her knowledge. Where cells taken from other patients died, Lacks’ cells continued to reproduce. Although Henrietta Lacks died in 1951 of cervical cancer, she lives on through her cells known as HeLa.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🧬 For over 60 years, Lacks’ cells have been used to study bacteria, toxins, drugs, viruses, and hormones’ affect on people. Her cells have been commercialized and have advanced vaccines, medicines, and are used in in-vitro fertilization.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🧬 The Lacks’ story highlights the racial inequities in health care. It wasn’t until 20 years after Lacks’ death her family learned her cells had been taken and had produced millions of dollars for medical researchers who patented her tissues. The family was never compensated. Additionally, for decades after her death medical researchers continued to use Lacks’ name and publish her medical records without consent in the name of, “medical advancement”.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🧬 To learn more about Henrietta Lacks, her story and her impact, please visit: hela100.org (link in bio)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Created by the Thurston ECO Network Subcommittee
Tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. we have the rare honor and o Tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. we have the rare honor and opportunity to be joined in virtual conversation with member and elder of the Upper Skagit Tribe, Scott Schuyler.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The Upper Skagit Tribe are ancestral inhabitants of the region known as the North Cascades, though their tenure here long precedes this name. The Upper Skagit are still active here to this day, involved in management processes and traditional ways of life. We hope you’ll join us to hear Scott speak about the history of the Tribe, the ways they interact with the landscape, and how climate change is affecting their lifeways.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Feb 19 at 6 PM: The People of the Sacred River—The History of the Upper Skagit⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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To sign up, CALL 360-854-2599 before 12:30 p.m. on Feb 19. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Can't make the date? You can still register and we'll send you the recording to watch when it works for you!

@youth_leadership_adventures alumni can sign up for FREE by calling 360-854-2599.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📸: A historic view of the Upper Skagit River, ancestral home land of the Upper Skagit Tribe. Photographer unknown.
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