The Environmental Learning Center and the Upper Skagit Hydropower Relicensing Project

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center—a partnership project of North Cascades Institute, North Cascades National Park and Seattle City Light—is a residential campus nestled on the shores of Diablo Lake in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Since 2005, it has served the public as a hub of learning and discovery for all ages in one of the wildest ecosystems in North America.

In 1989, the Institute collaborated with North Cascades Conservation Council and National Park Service to propose education as part of the mitigation for the federal relicensing for Seattle’s Skagit Hydroelectric Project. With consensus support from local Tribes, Federal and State Agencies, environmental NGOs, Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Seattle City Light, the Environmental Learning Center was included in the City’s 1991 Settlement Agreements and 1995 FERC License, with the Institute as operator and primary funder of programs and operations.

The City of Seattle funded the majority of construction and owns the buildings. The National Park Service dedicated the land for the site and provides land and resource management. North Cascades Institute operates, outfits and maintains the facility, offers a wide variety of programs for people of all ages, and provides a robust system of philanthropy, risk management, and marketing to make the programs succeed.

The educational and recreational needs of the Skagit Watershed and North Cascades Ecosystem transcend multiple geographies, communities, agencies, administrative boundaries, and an international border. North Cascades Institute programs at the Learning Center promote understanding, appreciation and community engagement of the whole, integrated system.

A Sustainable Campus in the North Cascades

Overnight lodges for 92 Lakeside dining hall, library, and multimedia classrooms

Outdoor learning shelters, amphitheater, dock and 2.5 miles of trails

· ADA-accessible facilities and pathways

Staff housing, maintenance and compost facilities

· LEED Silver certification by U.S. Green Building Council

Nick Mikula

Peter James

Lara Swimmer

North Cascades Environmental Learning Center

NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE 's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. We are a nonprofit conservation organization who help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, and human communities of the North Cascades—so all will care for and protect this special place.

Founded in 1986, the Institute is led by a volunteer board of directors and employs more than 60 staff. Year-round overnight and day programs at the Learning Center include many school and youth programs, as well as classes for families, teachers and adults, interpretive tours, conferences and retreats. Themes include place-based environmental education, recreation, conservation, environmental justice, health and wellness. At full capacity, the Institute serves more than 10,000 individuals (over 27,000 learner-days) each year. Financial subsidies, discounts and scholarships are provided for all programs.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL is a 3-day, 2-night residential education program that serves 50 Washington schools annually in partnership with North Cascades National Park. Fifth grade students and teachers stay at the Learning Center to connect to the natural world through 26 hours of hands-on interdisciplinary learning activities in science, math, art, social studies and conservation.

40,000+ students served since 1990

PARTICIPANT GROWTH DATA

“

People come to the Environmental Learning Center to learn about the environment that shelters and sustains us … and those people grow up to be responsible citizens of a habitat, a food web and a planet.

— Barbara Kingsolver, author

FAMILY AND ADULT PROGRAMS have introduced tens of thousands of people to the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades through a wide variety of hands-on learning adventures. Family Getaways, art, writing and photography retreats, natural history classes and community events bring new audiences to the region to learn, explore and be inspired.

SKAGIT TOURS, offered in partnership with Seattle City Light and North Cascades National Park, provides public interpretation of the Upper Skagit Valley natural and cultural history through interactive boat tours, guided hikes and close-up views of the hydroelectric project. Staff also operate the Skagit Information Center in Newhalem, engaging with over 15,000 visitors annually.

3,660

3,710

2,140

Individuals served at the Environmental Learning Center (pre-COVID)

3,230

Angela Burlile

Gina Roberti

“Students gain great respect for each other, learn to cooperate and support one another. My students now see themselves as stewards of our environment, and take the job seriously. I have great hope for the future of our planet due to the time our students spent with you.

— Bay View Elementary teacher

YOUTH LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES provide immersive wilderness experiences for local high school youth. Students canoe, backpack, camp and complete stewardship projects on public lands while discovering their leadership strengths, engaging in conversations about climate change and environmental justice, building inclusive communities, and creating visions of a hopeful and sustainable future.

25,000+ service hours contributed to stewardship projects in the North Cascades since 2006

GRADUATE M.ED. PROGRAM , a partnership with Western Washington University, trained 169 students in conservation, teaching strategies, nonprofit leadership, and natural and cultural history between 2001-2020 Alumni continued into successful careers with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, and on to leadership positions including Educational Directors, Sustainability Managers, Learning Center Directors, Interpretive Rangers and more across the country.

CONFERENCES AND RETREATS, events, trainings and other educational programs at the Learning Center inspire reflection and connection to the natural world amongst diverse groups. Groups include University of Washington, Doris Duke Conservation Scholars, Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, Bellingham School District, The Mountaineers, Remote Medical Training, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle City Light, National Park Service, and many others.

North Cascades Institute introduces children —and reintroduces adults—to an increasingly remote outdoors. It reminds us why we should be amazed. Environmental education is not a luxury —it is the thing that can save us.

— William Dietrich, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

*Goodell Fire

OPERATIONS AND FINANCES

North Cascades Institute is a 501(c)(3) education organization founded in 1986. The Institute depends on a robust business model with multiple revenue streams. Pre-COVID, the Institute’s budget was close to $4 million with 83% of revenue coming from a combination of philanthropic giving, returns on investments, and earned income and 17% from Seattle City Light as part of the 1991 Settlement Agreements and Skagit Hydropower License.

Seattle City Light funded the buildings and some ongoing program and maintenance support. The National Park Service provides critical in-kind support in the form of land management, water and septic systems, and visitor protection. The Institute leverages and magnifies Seattle City Light and Park Service support to develop and implement the educational programming envisioned in the 1995 FERC License.

On average, more than 85% of Institute revenue goes directly to programs. The Institute has 17 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for exemplary fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Financial Reports and Audits, Annual and Program Reports are available at ncascades.org/reports

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center was the centerpiece of Seattle City Light’s Recreation Plan in the 1995 FERC License for the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. The Institute continues to believe that education and recreation are critical tools to help people understand and appreciate the history of the area: what was lost, what was gained and how to prepare for the future. The current license expires in 2025, with negotiations underway for a new one that could last 30-50 years.

Our goal is that the Environmental Learning Center will continue to expand and enhance environmental education, outdoor recreation and related activities as mitigation for the continuing impacts of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. The Institute and the Learning Center will be change agents for the future of education, recreation and conservation in the North Cascades by:

• Helping students and visitors experience, understand and care for the natural and cultural resources of the Skagit Watershed

• Providing greater access and understanding through equitable and inclusive programming

• Supporting the interests of Tribes, Agencies and Organizations concerned with the future of the Skagit Watershed

• Giving back to local communities whose resources and economies have been impacted by the Project

• Engaging Seattle communities who benefit from the Project

• Educating for climate resiliency and a clean energy future