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

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