North Cascades Institute

we inspire & empower environmental stewardship for all through transformative educational experiences in nature | ncascades.org

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With schools closed in Washington, students are finding themselves home with a lot of time on their hands. To keep those young minds engaged and also to ensure parents sanity here’s some ideas:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌲 Get outside and play in your own backyard. Create something crafty from foraged materials like fairy houses etc. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌲Make a cardboard/pillow/blanket fort ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌲Take walks near your home (safely & following CDC guidelines) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We put a link in our bio to more resources for parents including links for free curriculum and educational tools. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @mkspictorial https://ift.tt/2UI7fyW

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We all know the mental and health benefits of being outside and enjoying nature. The coronavirus pandemic is keeping many people indoors, but there still are ways to enjoy being outside while practicing social distancing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Our friends over @conservationnw have a great blog post (link in bio) about how to practice social distancing in the outdoors.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Follow their tips in order to recreate responsibly in these challenging times. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @nickrlake https://ift.tt/2y1jzTc

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Time outside is a necessary balm for the stress and uncertainty we have all been feeling, but we must still be smart about where and how we are recreating outside—people and animals depend on it. The North Cascades National Park recently announced the seasonal closure of certain climbing areas to protect peregrine falcon nesting areas. Newhalem Crag East and Newhalem Crag West (Ryan’s Wall) will be closed to all public use from March 1, 2020 through July 15, 2020. From the Park Service: �Nest sites will be monitored to ensure reopening of these areas once the young falcons have fledged or if nesting did not occur on a specific wall during this period. The peregrine falcon is a federally protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is a special status species in North Cascades National Park Service Complex due to its sensitivity to disturbance during the nesting season. �Sport climbing outside the four established climbing areas (Diablo Crag, Newhalem East and West, and Town Crags) within North Cascades National Park Service Complex is prohibited. � “Resource damage in non-climbing management areas has caused concern,” said Park Superintendent, Karen Taylor-Goodrich. “We are seeing expanded use of sport climbing activities outside the established climbing management areas and are reviewing the effects on the natural and cultural resources in the park.” � As outlined in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area General Management Plan, sport climbing is only allowed in designated climbing management areas and park staff will review proposed new climbing management areas. Currently, NOCA staff are reviewing a proposal to include Space Wall, east of the town of Newhalem, WA, as an established climbing management area. � Notice the nesting peregrine on the mossy ledge 📸: Evan Holmstrom https://ift.tt/3ahjGbF

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Sometimes you just need to look at something pretty. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sign up for our newsletter, (link in bio) for any upcoming changes in programming, classes and news, as we all navigate these rapidly changing circumstances. Through our link you can also check out our blog and read how the learning center is responding to the Coronavirus. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @alexspaeth https://ift.tt/2wusz2M

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“The Dream Team. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Roped travel is sometimes a challenge, but I've learned to appreciate how it can strengthen a group. Realizing you have to rely on one another for safety, and finding ways to encourage each other and work together, creates bonds and makes lasting memories.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ While most of us who can are self quarantining, there is time to daydream about what summer in the outdoors could look like. What’s on your peak bagging list this year and with who? Tag your peak bagging partner #teamworkmakesthedreamwork⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @davidtryan https://ift.tt/393vVXP

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Tomorrow is the first day of spring, but it still feels like winter in much of the North Cascades. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Soon we will start seeing wildflowers springing up from the once snow covered ground. But there is still plenty of time to enjoy that winter landscape and those winter feels. Watching snow fall from the comfort of your favorite blanket accompanied by a cup of tea and a good book is hard to beat on those cold, wintry days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are some of your favorite things to do in winter (traditions, rituals, outdoor activities etc)?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @mkspictorial https://ift.tt/396LZIA

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Social distancing got you feeling socially isolated? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Climb a mountain with friends. Being on a rope team puts at least 6 feet between you and your adventure pals, plus you get the bonus of being outside. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Climbing a mountain not your thing? That’s ok. Being in nature or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, stress and increases pleasant feelings. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it also contributes to your physical well-being by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Getting outside looks differently for everyone, but no matter how you choose to be in nature we all reap the same positive health benefits. #freshairisthebestair ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @sarina_clark⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Ancestral homelands of the Nlaka’pamux people https://ift.tt/2UecvKz

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Words may be hard to articulate, but how would you caption this majestic photo?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @nickrlake⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Ancestral homelands of the Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Nlaka’pamux, Stò:lö & Swinimosh peoples https://ift.tt/38Kp7hD

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Calling all college students!! Are you interested in pursuing a career in environmental education or a related field? Youth Leadership Adventures is currently seeking motivated interns to join our team for the summer. Come explore the North Cascades on an 8 or 12 day backcountry trip with local youth!  Learn how to guide students as they canoe and backpack, cook, navigate & travel responsibly in the backcountry and build community with local peers!⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣This is an excellent opportunity for former YLA students to return, deepen their experience and potentially earn college credit. ⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣Not in College? don’t forget we are also recruiting students and instructors! The application for instructors closes this Friday and the student application on the 30th. There is still time, but not too much—so APPLY TODAY at ncscades.org/youth!! https://ift.tt/2w4JqJg

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Diablo Dam is one of three dams along the upper Skagit River and part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, supplying Seattle with 20% of its power. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Completed in 1930, Diablo Dam stands at 389 feet. You can drive across this concrete gravity dam and once on the other side you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Diablo lake as well as Colonial and Pyramid Peaks. The Learning Center is located at the end of the road, where many of our classes & events take place along with Mountain School, our residential environmental education program. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sign up for our newsletter (link in bio) so you won’t miss out on our amazing upcoming spring classes and events. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @driftless_photographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📍Ancestral homelands of the Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Nlaka’pamux, Stò:lö & Swinimosh peoples https://ift.tt/38GiX23

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Those layers though...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Speaking of layers, make sure you bring enough for the changing mountain weather. Rain, snow, and wind can occur without warning or being forecasted. Make sure you have the proper gear to ensure a fun experience in the Cascades. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #majesticmountainmonday⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @tygroby https://ift.tt/3347M1Q

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With over 600,000 acres designated as Stephen Mather Wilderness in North Cascades National Park, there are plenty of places to enjoy the night sky. With little light pollution in much of the service complex, you can take anything from a short stroll to a multi-day backpacking trip and experience all the stars in their brilliance. Seventy percent of all animal life in the park is nocturnal creating a cacophony of sounds in the darkness which adds another layer to exploring the park after dark. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you have a favorite place to star gaze in the North Cascades? 🌠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸:@caleb.jacobson https://ift.tt/2VXsuPo

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And just like that, Mountain School is back in session! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Did you know that Mountain School has been teaching kids about the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades for 30 years!? Here we have our wonderful crew of instructors are getting excited to welcome the first students of the year, coming from Centennial Elementary in Mount Vernon. These students are among the 2,700 students Mountain School will serve this year. So here’s to an inspiring 30 years—and now we look forward to the next 30 years of sparking curiosity and wonder of the natural world in students! https://ift.tt/38mM8Hs

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Happy #wildlifewednesday! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The pika resembles their close cousin the rabbit, but with rounded ears. Known for their cuteness and for its famous high pitched alarm calls, the pika is also an indicator species for detecting the ecological effects of a changing climate in mountainous regions. Results from recent studies suggest that in some areas, pikas are being lost from lower elevations in response to increased warming and less suitable habitat. Pikas have difficulty thermoregulating and rely on crevices and cavities in rocks for cover and shade. They cannot tolerate high temperatures for more than a few hours. Long-term monitoring is essential for our understanding of pikas, and for their long-term viability in places like North Cascades National Park. 📸: @bluemrb 📍Ancestral lands of the Nlaka’pamux, Syilx tmix (Okanagan), Chelan & Yakima peoples https://ift.tt/2TBQCVh

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How would you like to spend your summer leading high school students on a transformative experience through the North Cascades backcountry? Youth Leadership Adventures is currently on the search for Field Instructors for the upcoming season. Field Instructors will guide students as they canoe, backpack, camp and complete stewardship projects in the North Cascades mountains. It is an incredible opportunity to meet new people, facilitate leadership skill development, teach about plants, animals & people in the North Cascades ecosystem, and talk about sustainability and climate change! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Applications are due on March 13th. APPLY TODAY at ncscades.org/youth https://ift.tt/2TiwY1q

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Cotton candy anyone? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Speaking of snacks, don’t forget to bring plenty on your winter adventures. It’s nice to have a variety of salty, sweet and savory snacks when your exerting yourself on the trail. When we sweat our bodies lose salt and if we don’t replenish it, can lead side effects anywhere from headache and nausea to disorientation and loss of consciousness. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What’s some of your favorite snacks to bring on the trail? #staysnacky⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸:@wyatt.mullen https://ift.tt/3anKaYq

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Walking or should we say leaping into the weekend like...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tomorrow is leap day. A leap day is observed because the Earth's period of orbital revolution around the Sun takes approximately six hours longer than 365 whole days. A leap day compensates for this lag, realigning the calendar with the Earth's position in the Solar System; otherwise, seasons would occur later than intended in the calendar year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And spring/summer can’t come soon enough for some. Sorry powder hounds. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are your plans for leap day/weekend? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @jeremytwalls https://ift.tt/2I1WscT