Summer 2006

cel ebr at ing 20 y e a r s in t he fiel d

NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE t programs,

activities and events f or all ages

SPRING/SUMMER 2006 PROGR AMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES i

education

ii

conservation

People who care conserve; people who don’t know don’t care.

What is the extinction of the condor to a child who has never known a wren?

Robert Michael Pyle, The Thunder Tree, 1993

iii

iv

SPRING/SUMMER 2006

FIND YOUR NICHE

4

SOURDOUGH SPEAKER SERIES

6

FAMILY GETAWAYS

8

FIELD SEMINARS

30

VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP

32

GRADUATE PROGRAM

34

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

36

GIRLS ON ICE / NORTH CASCADES WILD

– (ecology) the role of an organism within a communit y

LEARNING CENTER DAY TRIPS

t niche

2

Wildflowers blanket the east slopes of the Cascades. Join Libby Mills and Dana Visalli for Spring in the Methow, page 10. © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

360 8 56 570 0 ~ 2 09

1

Our new Learning Center lies beneath Colonial Peak on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park.

Join us for a paddle along the lake’s green shoreline. © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

ramble through a mountain forest with a fun-loving naturalist. Paddle in the morning light with peaks at every compass bearing. Our free Learning Center Day Trips are easy to enjoy, afoot and afloat – just lace up your boots, grab your lunch and venture to our campus. Your guides will be Institute naturalists who teach all ages. Bring personal gear, food and a water bottle. Pre-registration is not necessary, but group size is limited, first-come, first-served. This is a day program only; participants are responsible for their own lodging off campus. Driving directions to the Learning Center can be found online.

LEARNING CENTER DAY TRIPS JOIN US FOR A HALF-DAY ADVENTURE IN THE NORTH CASCADES 2

Sk

ym

re oC

ek

Learning Center Day Trips

T BA NK

June 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12 and 19; 1–5 pm

TRA

Ross

Saturday Afternoon Forest Hikes

IL

Lake

INSTITUTE NATURALISTS AND NATIONAL PARK RANGERS Weekends, June–August FREE! (donations welcome)

EAS

Why is that cedar so big? What’s the difference between lichen and moss? What creatures dwell in the woods? If you’re drawn to forest habitats, join us for gently paced Saturday afternoon hikes that cover three to six miles round-trip. All trips will begin at the Learning Center, but we may venture beyond campus trails to nearby Thunder Creek, Thunder Knob or along Diablo Lake.

Hikes suitable for all ages able to walk over uneven terrain.

g

Bi

Be

a

ve

rC

Sunday Morning Canoeing

ree

k

June 11, 18, 25, July 9, 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20 and 27; 9 am–1 pm

ugh

Cr e

HA

L

ek

D e e r Cr e e k

Ross Dam

Cr e

TR

seta

ek

M

ID KE

rm

k

ree dC

mi

Colonial Creek Campground

A

ra

T

Py

TA

Ross Lake Overlook

r

RS

by

L

TE

AI

O < T

IN

TR

20

Ru

Ar R T RAI m L

Thunde

LA

Gorge Dam 5 E-

Diablo Lake Overlook

THUNDER KNOB TRAIL

THE

ek

RA

Gorge Lake

PA N

A

re il C

PY

GORGE O V E R LO O K TRAIL

Hor

ge

LO LA

Diablo Lake

TR

ROSS LAKE TRAIL

KE

DI

or

AB

Diablo Dam

PPY

AI

LEARNING CENTER

VER

Cr e e k

rdo

(5985 ft)

BEA IG

Ha p p y

Sou

B

Sourdough Mountain

CALL 360 856 5700 ~209 WITH QUESTIONS

Diablo

L

IL

RAI MOUNTA IN T

SOURDOUGH

G

t w w w . n c a s c a d e s . o r g / d ay t r i p s

Why are the North Cascades so steep and rugged? What’s a glacier? Where does all the water flow? Grab a paddle and climb aboard our 14-passenger voyager canoe for a half day on Diablo Lake. Paddling as a team, we’ll explore tiny islands, a narrow gorge and the glacial outwash of Colonial and Thunder Creeks.

Prior experience is not necessary; all canoeing equipment provided. Participants must be over six years of age.

Ruby 3 Mountain (7408 ft)

SOURDOUGH SPEAKER SERIES ONE-NIGHT EVENTS AT THE LEARNING CENTER Passion and Obsession: Intimate Images of the North Cascades

nestled at the foot of Sourdough Mountain, the Learning Center t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g / e ve nts

is a fitting location for this new series featuring Northwest artists, writers and naturalists. Poet Gary Snyder served as a fire lookout on Sourdough in the early 1950s, and other poets and writers soon followed. For centuries, the stories of the upper Skagit Valley have been told around the fire by Native people, miners, loggers, hikers, climbers and damworkers.

Each gathering in our Sourdough Speaker Series will be held in our lakeside dining hall and will feature an informal gourmet dinner of local and organic foods prepared by our chef, Charles Classen. A fireside presentation by our guest speaker will follow, with plenty of time for questions, discussion and getting acquainted with others. Your ticket includes overnight accommodations in our cozy lodges (shared occupancy) as well as a continental breakfast and an optional naturalist-led walk the following morning. Dress is casual, of course.

Your ticket letter will include travel directions, check-in information and other details. Limited to 40 guests; $95 per person for each event, or all four for $295.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/EVENTS 4

April 15–16, 2006 (Sat–Sun); 6 pm Learning Center

$95

Seattle photographer Paul Bannick, www.paulbannick.com, shoots internationally but maintains a special focus on the animals of the Pacific Northwest.

An experienced naturalist, Paul travels into remote areas of the Cascades in order to develop one of the largest portfolios of Northwest native species.

Pat Buller, www.pdbphoto.com, is a biological technician with North Cascades National Park who has made it his life’s quest to photograph every alpine lake in the Skagit watershed. Many of these lakes appear on no map, and most have rarely been visited. Join us for a rare evening of images and the fireside stories of the remarkable modern-day explorers who captured them. www. nc asc a des.org

Trails and Switchbacks: How Science Becomes Policy May 13–14, 2006 (Sat–Sun); 6 pm Learning Center

Connected by a Rope: Search and Rescue Stories from the North Cascades $95

Geologist Michele Koppes has spent the past decade navigating the sinuous course that science takes as it becomes public policy and environmental law. A University of Washington researcher, Michele has worked in the field, studying climate change from Alaska to Antarctica. She’s applied that experience as a legislative advisor for Congressional delegates here in the Northwest. These two passions – science and the application of it to conservation and natural resource policy – have given her unique insight into landscapes, communities and the environmental policies that govern them. Her observations will interest anyone involved in environmental activism, resource management or elected leadership.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

August 5–6, 2006 (Sat–Sun); 6 pm Learning Center

$95

Kevork Arackellian is one of the first to be called to the scene when hikers or climbers need aid in a remote area. Of his rescue in the North Cascades by wilderness ranger Kelly Bush and Kevork, Seattle Weekly writer Brian Miller wrote, “If bad luck is a built-in hazard of climbing, like rock fall or electrical storms, good luck is part of the game, too …

Confident climbing demands an attitude of, I’m not going to fall. That’s not going to happen to me. When it does, of course, that’s when your partners truly matter. And when it happened to me, my rescue and recovery depended on dozens of others, experts in their fields, who make me feel very lucky indeed.

We were all connected, I learned, as if by a rope.”

Northwest Essentials: Elements of a Regional Cuisine September 30–October 1, 2006 (Sat–Sun); 6 pm Learning Center

$95

Greg Atkinson, author and consulting chef at Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, is known for his deep understanding of Northwest foods. Greg will prepare a menu featuring dishes from his most recent cookbook, Entertaining in the Northwest Style, using organic and fresh ingredients from our “foodshed.”

After dinner he will be joined in conversation by Ann Schwartz, a Skagit Valley organic farmer, and share passages from his book and other notable culinary authors.

5

GATHER YOUR FAMILY AT THE LEARNING CENTER

FAMILY GETAWAYS connect with your family – and nature, too – at the Learning Center. Spend time learning and relaxing together while enjoying the mountain air and starry night skies of the North Cascades. You can leave the tent at home, though: comfortable accommodations in our cozy lodges offer the excitement of the great outdoors without the complications of camping!

Kids and adults will enjoy learning about nature with adventures such as I’m Lichen Hikin’ and The Big Canoe and You. Games, arts and crafts, and scientific fact-gathering using microscopes and hand lenses will make even the youngest explorer feel like a real naturalist.

Wonderful meals are served family-style in our lakeside dining hall, with the tastes of young diners in mind. We welcome families that include parents, guardians, grandparents, children and extended family. Our field campus is accessible for people with a wide range of abilities.

Make this a summer one that your family will never forget – quality time spent together surrounded by the wonder of the North Cascades.

CALL 360 856 5700 ~209 TO REGISTER

Learn from experienced staff how to paddle a canoe during a leisurely outing on the glacial-green waters of Diablo Lake. © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

6

Family Getaway in May May 27–29, 2006 (Sat–Mon)

Fourth of July Family Getaway July 1–3, 2006 (Sat–Mon)

Early August Family Getaway © BREE YEDNOCK

August 1–3, 2006 (Tue–Thu)

Mid-August Family Getaway August 15–17, 2006 (Tue–Thu)

Family Getaway in September September 2–4, 2006 (Sat–Mon) four-day programs $449 per pair; $125 per additional (up to a six-person group)

Four-Day Family Getaway in July July 17–20, 2006 (Mon–Thu) © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s . o r g / f a m i ly

three-day programs $349 per pair; $95 per additional (up to a six-person group)

Four-Day Family Getaway in August August 7–10, 2006 (Mon–Thu) Children under the age of two can be added to the “family” registration at no charge. Some activities may not be appropriate for children under the age of five. All children under five must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian. Tuition includes all meals, accommodations in our comfortable lodges and instruction from professional naturalists and guides. Family Getaways are not eligible for scholarships or the First-timer discount. Please call 360 856 5700 ~209 with questions.

Participants enjoy both the indoor and outdoor classrooms during Family Getaways, spotting plants and wildlife along the trail or crafting nature-inspired art.

7

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY

FIELD SEMINARS The Naturalist’s Path to Sustainability

from backyard to backcountry, get outdoors, learn in t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g / s e m i n a r s

small groups, and celebrate your place through exploration, literature and the arts. The naturalist tradition defines North Cascades Institute and how you’ll spend your time with us. Anyone anywhere can be a naturalist, and the best place to start is the ground underfoot. We cover topics ranging from geology, history and wildlife to nature writing, art and paddling skills. Our instructors are scientists, poets, photographers, loggers and rangers. Participants are teachers, farmers, students, soccer moms, building contractors and you. Locations include our new Learning Center in North Cascades National Park as well as camps and lodges throughout the Northwest. Clock hours or academic credit are available for most seminars. And, if you’ve never taken a field seminar with us before, you’re eligible for a 20 percent discount! See page 39 for details.

REGISTER TODAY AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG

8

DANA VISALLI April 28–30, 2006 (Fri eve–Sun) Learning Center companion class

[1] 12 U

S $215, P $315

There is growing awareness about the effects of fossil-fuel consumption, but little information on how to change to more energy-efficient lifestyles.

Join naturalist Dana Visalli for a weekend exploring the implications of approaching the peak of global oil production, what we can learn from the ecology of previous civilizations and the natural pathways leading to sustainability. Surrounded by the North Cascades, we will observe how Mother Nature runs the planet using limited solar energy. After learning about the issues, participants will leave with tools that will help both youth and adults understand the benefits and challenges of living a less energydependent lifestyle. www. nc asc a des.org

© PA U L B A N N I C K / PA U L B A N N I C K . CO M

The Language of Birds [2] CHRIS CHISHOLM April 28–30, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

18 U S $245, P $345

© D A R I N R E I D / D A R I N R E I D . CO M

Geology by Kayak: Bellingham to Samish Bay When you listen to a birdcall, do you wonder who it is or what the call means? Each species has its own language for marking territory, mating, begging, displaying aggression and sounding alarm.

Roam forest, meadow and stream with a naturalist who specializes in bird vocalizations and tracking.

Rising early and staying out late, you’ll track a variety of avian life, studying calls and songs along with prints, feathers and scat. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of raptors, water-loving birds and perching birds. Use these tools at home and in the field to enjoy the avian world. Before tracking wildlife, we’ll discuss the effects of an encounter on both animals and humans, and appropriate safety precautions.

360 8 56 570 0 ~ 2 09

JIM JOHANNESSEN with Elakah! Expeditions April 29, 2006 (Sat) Bellingham Bay

The shorelines of our planet can reveal the complex mysteries that lie beneath the earth’s skin.

Investigate coastal processes and resulting geological features while paddling the shoreline from Bellingham Bay to Chuckanut Mountain. Led by a coastal geologist and professional guides, we’ll paddle from Boulevard Park to Larrabee State Park, reading clues in Chuckanut sandstone and other formations that reveal the history of plate tectonics, deposition, glaciers, earthquakes, currents

[3] 12 U

$95

and marine life. Later we’ll stop at a recent beach restoration project designed by Jim, delving into the deeper issues that affect shorelines by examining coastal hazards, restoration efforts and sustainable shoreline living, and comparing urban environments with near-pristine shores. Come away with a deeper understanding of coastal geology and the importance of preserving our Northwest beaches.

Tuition includes use of kayaks and equipment.

Prior experience not required.

9

© JEFF MUSE

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

Natural History in the North Cascades [5] SCOTT BABCOCK and MARCA KIDWELL-BABCOCK May 5–7, 2006 (Fri–Sun) 1C/18 U Learning Center S $245, P $345

Spring in the Methow

[4] DANA VISALLI and LIBBY MILLS May 4–7, 2006 (Thu–Sun) Methow Valley

The Methow Valley is a naturalist’s delight in any season, but it’s at its best in the spring. By midMay tapestries of wildflowers carpet rolling hills, neotropical migrant birds pour into the valley and butterflies abound. Join ornithologist Libby Mills and botanist Dana Visalli for four days of exploration and observation. Days will be spent in the field in search of adventure and insight. Evenings will offer fireside naturalist tales, stargazing and colorful conversation. Celebrate the natural history of the 10

1C/24 U

$250

region while you explore the beauty of form and the mystery of function. Find answers to a myriad of questions. Why are the spring flowers the color and shape they are? How come male songbirds are so brightly colored? Why are marine fossils embedded in Methow rock, 200 miles inland from the ocean?

What’s going on here? Come enjoy and interpret the natural world in this vibrant outdoor classroom.

Participants will be on their own to arrange nearby camping or accommodations.

Spend two nights at the Learning Center surrounded by the pristine wilderness of North Cascades National Park. You will enjoy scenic tours and panoramic views of the dramatic geology of the region, take short hikes and learn more about the birds, plants and animals of the upper Skagit. Your instructors include a notable geologist, an environmental educator and Institute naturalists. A highlight will be an introduction to the restoration and research taking place at the Learning Center, where 22,000 native plants are being returned to the site as part of a three-year project. In the evening, instructors will supplement the day’s experience with slide shows and demonstrations. www. nc asc a des.org

seminar information

© N A N C Y B A R N H A R T / B A R N H A R T P H OT O . CO M

© M A R K T U R N E R / T U R N E R P H OT O G R A P H I C S . CO M

companion classes

Springtime in Stehekin: Photography and History on Lake Chelan MIKE BARNHART and NANCY BARNHART May 12–14, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Flick Creek House

[6]

1C/18 U

$295

Venture up Lake Chelan to Stehekin during the full bloom of mountain spring. We’ll hike, drive and boat in search of ideal photo opportunities in one of the most unique mountain getaways in the Lower 48. Led by longtime photographers and valley residents Mike and Nancy, we’ll soak up the season’s offerings of yellow balsamroot, lavender lupine and snow-flanked ridgelines that rise more than a mile high. Capture the beauty on film for a life-lasting memory. The class is appropriate for photographers of any skill level, as well as Northwest history buffs.

Tuition includes accommodations at Flick Creek House and transportation for local excursions.

Sagebrush Country: Native Plants of the Columbia Plateau MARK DARRACH May 13–14, 2006 (Sat–Sun) Horn Rapids County Park

[7] 1C/12 U

$145

See the Columbia Plateau as Lewis and Clark did 200 years ago. The Arid Land Ecology Reserve, located within the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in eastern Washington, harbors the largest remnant of sagebrush-steppe habitat in the state. Home to diverse plants and animals, the reserve is an unspoiled refuge for a landscape disappearing throughout the intermountain West. Learn about the geology and ecology of high desert terrain, from the lithosol community and rocky slopes to lush riparian stretches and famous wildflower displays of Rattlesnake Mountain. We’ll camp in Horn Rapids County Park near Benton City.

Enjoy a weekend at the Learning Center with your partner or friend while enrolled in different seminars! Courses running simultaneously are noted as a companion class .

first-timer 20 percent discount If you’ve never taken a field seminar with us before, you’re eligible for a 20 percent discount. See page 39 for complete details.

pricing and scholarships S (shared occupancy) is the tuition for sharing a room with other people. P (private occupancy) is the tuition for a room for one person (limited). To make programs available to a wide audience, we offer scholarships to students, teachers, seniors over 60, environmental educators, conservation professionals, low-income participants and others. Applications available online or by phone.

meals All Learning Center courses include meals prepared by our chef Charles Claassen, and feature local and organic foods.

academic credit and clock hours U Many seminars and retreats are offered for optional academic credit (400 level) through Western Washington University (WWU). The number of credits available is listed below the title of each course. A written project is required; grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. We will send your registration to the university, which will bill you $48/credit. All credits are pending approval by WWU. North Cascades Institute is also approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to grant teachers clock hour certification. The fee is $3.50/clock hour. The number of clock hours available appears with a U symbol below the title of each seminar.

SEE PAGE 39 FOR MORE REGISTRATION DETAILS

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

11

12

notes from a naturalist

AMONG THE TRIBAL BOATS of North America, sturgeon-nosed canoes were unique to the Columbia Plateau. The Kootenai and several Interior Salish tribes had developed variations on the basic design, and David Thompson was quick to grasp their elegant utility. Framed of cedar or birch and lashed with cordage of chokecherry bark, the vessels were usually sheathed with a single piece of western white pine bark turned inside out.

Robert Louie is a Lower Kootenai who lives just south of Creston, British Columbia. His grandmother Marion Earnest, or Di Di, spent her life paddling the same route David Thompson traveled in May of 1808. She also was a skilled boat builder.

According to Louie, every detail in Di Di’s canoes served a practical purpose. A small, off-center THOMPSON WAS QUICK TO cross-piece at each end formed a slot GRASP THEIR ELEGANT UTILITY for holding a bow and arrows, spear or rifle. His grandmother would braid a short, stout line of Indian hemp and tie it to the stern thwart. If she killed an elk or a moose in one of the sloughs, she could use her line to tow the carcass “like a tugboat” rather than try to haul it into the canoe. When she beached on a mud flat with no trees nearby, she could tie that same line to her paddle and stake the boat by pushing the lanceolate paddle blade into the mud.

Di Di also showed her grandson a mountain slope southwest of Creston that is shaped just like a sturgeon-nosed canoe. She explained that when mist rises out of the valley bottoms, the whole hill looks as if it were floating. That hill, according to Di Di, was directly linked to the tribe’s unique existence, and provided the inspiration for the design of their signature boat.

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

H . J . W A R R E 1 8 4 5 / CO U R T E S Y O F T H E A R C H I V E S O F C A N A D A – OT T O W A

Jack Nisbet sturgeon-nosed canoes

The Mapmaker’s Eye: David Thompson’s Vision of the Greater Pacific Northwest [8]

The Butterflies of Cascadia with Robert Michael Pyle [9]

JACK NISBET May 19–21, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center

ROBERT MICHAEL PYLE with THEA LINNAEA PYLE May 26–28, 2006 (Fri–Sun) 1C/18 U Flying L Ranch S $395, P $495

1C/18 U S $295, P $395

The first published, accurate maps of our region were stitched together from the work of George Vancouver (1792–96), Lewis and Clark (1805–6), Simon Fraser (1806) and David Thompson’s explorations of the Columbia River and its eastern tributaries (1807–1812). Thompson gathered this material to create five large maps revealing river flow, tectonic and glacial geology, and a network of tribal routes extending from the Rockies to the Pacific. Join noted author Jack Nisbet to examine Thompson’s remarkable vision and this pivotal period in Northwest history. Our days will include trail hikes and canoeing.

Enjoy a weekend outdoors with Robert Michael Pyle, a lepidopterist with extensive knowledge and passion for the butterflies of Cascadia. From Mount Adams to the Klickitat River Canyon, comb wildlands and fields’ edge for butterflies of wide-ranging species. Investigate butterfly diversity, anatomy, behavior and ecology, including host plants, nectar sources and life stages. We’ll practice techniques for identification and catch-and-release handling.

In the evenings Bob will offer slide presentations and share selections from his books, The Butterflies of Cascadia and Chasing Monarchs. Tuition includes accommodations and all meals.

JOIN JACK AT THE LEARNING CENTER FOR THE MAPMAKER’S EYE www. nc asc a des.org

Summer Birds in the Methow Valley [10] 12 U

[11] 1C/24 U

$215

Skagit Valley Foodshed: Wild Edibles

$95

Located in the heart of the Salish Sea, the waters of Bellingham Bay are teeming with marine life – sea anemones, sponges, chitons, limpets, sea slugs, sea stars, snails and numerous species of crabs. Schools of fish hang beneath the kelp canopy, jellyfish are carried along the currents, harbor seals break the surface, and eagles and numerous sea birds wing overhead. With an excellent low tide, we’ll explore Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut Island, tide pools and their ecology, the palm tree fossils of Clark’s Point and petroglyph cliffs. Tuition includes kayaks and equipment; prior experience is not necessary for this seminar.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

LIBBY MILLS June 1–4, 2006 (Thu–Sun) Klipchuck Campground

© PAT B U L L E R / P D B P H OT O . CO M

PETER CAPEN with Elakah! Expeditions May 27, 2006 (Sat) Bellingham Bay

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

© D A R I N R E I D / D A R I N R E I D . CO M

Marine Ecology Kayak: Bellingham Bay and Chuckanut Island

Explore wetlands, sage plateaus and the meandering Methow River while seeking the melody and color of the avian world. As breeding birds fledge their young, we’ll investigate their hidden haunts and identify a broad range of species and their birdsong.

During breaks we’ll discuss adaptations and challenges that migratory birds face as they travel across continents. Learning about the landscape of these animals will help you preserve bird habitat and provide you with a future of excellent bird-watching.

We’ll camp at the Forest Service Klipchuck campsite near Mazama during this relaxing weekend with one of the Northwest’s most knowledgeable and fun-loving birders.

MARLEE OSTERBAUER and DAVE SANSONE June 2–4, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Rockport State Park

[12] 12 U

$195

Rediscover the ways Northwest cultures sustained themselves using resources from forests and meadows. Taught by two naturalists known for their knowledge of wild edibles, you’ll learn plant identification, traditional uses of plants for food, fiber, medicine and shelter as well as ethical gathering practices. Our “classroom” will be the woodlands below Sauk Mountain, where you’ll learn to collect safely and legally while preserving habitat. We’ll camp at Rockport State Park.

13

[13] SCOTT BABCOCK and MARCA KIDWELL-BABCOCK June 9–11, 2006 (Fri–Sun) 1C/18 U Learning Center companion class S $295, P $395

Join a noted geologist and an environmental educator on a scenic and panoramic tour of the North Cascades. As we move along the North Cascades Highway, we’ll take short hikes to examine crystals, rocks, landforms and other geologic wonders while discussing the natural history of the region.

Scott and Marca will bring the local geology to life, elaborating on the days’ lessons with evening slide shows, demonstrations and stories from the field.

14

© D A R I N R E I D / D A R I N R E I D . CO M

© ROX A N N E G R I NSTA D

© PAT B U L L E R / P D B P H OT O . CO M

From Cascade Crest to Salish Sea: A Geology and Natural History Transect

Beginning Watercolor [14] ROXANNE GRINSTAD June 9 –11, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

1C/18 U S $275, P $375

Translucent washes, diaphanous textures and vibrant hues make watercolor an enticing medium.

Dramatic mountainscapes, quiet seclusion and Diablo Lake offer inspiration and focus for creative expression. A talented artist and naturalist, Roxanne will provide an excellent introduction to the medium. Learn the basics of watercolor, including how to choose and care for brushes, paper and paints, and the fundamentals of color and form. We’ll work in the field, bringing the natural world onto paper (and from photos if the weather doesn’t cooperate). Starting with simple projects, we’ll also learn methods for tackling more complicated pieces. No experience is necessary.

Wild-Harvesting by Kayak I [15] JENNIFER HAHN with Elakah! Expeditions June 12–14, 2006 (Mon–Wed) Spencer Spit State Park

1C/18 U

$385

Take advantage of the year’s best tide. Join naturalist Jennifer Hahn as we kayak and hike in the San Juan Islands to learn about the ecology and uses of sea vegetables, shellfish and a host of terrestrial plants.

We’ll see a rich and varied array of wild edibles as we wild-harvest and discuss how to collect in a safe, legal and environmentally sensitive manner. In the evening, we’ll prepare feasts featuring delicacies like kelp chowder, chocolate pudding from carrageen-rich seaweed, and roasted salmon in a wrap of kelp. This class is suitable for beginning paddlers.

Tuition includes kayaking equipment, breakfasts, dinners and shuttle from the Lopez Island ferry terminal to our campground. www. nc asc a des.org

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

Wildflowers of Mount Adams with Art Kruckeberg [16] ART KRUCKEBERG with RAINER STAHLBERG June 16–18, 2006 (Fri–Sun) 1C/18 U Flying L Ranch S $395, P $495

Head for cowboy country with Art and Rainer, the legendary botanist and his talented colleague. In the shadow of 12,000-foot Mount Adams, we’ll investigate wildflowers and other plants in Washington’s southern Cascade Range. We’ll spend full days in the field studying the flora and geology of a broad range of habitats, from the depths of the Klickitat River canyon to lush meadows in the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. In the evening, we’ll gather at the Flying L Ranch for intriguing slide shows and family-style dinners beneath aspens and ponderosa pines. Tuition includes accommodations and all meals at Flying L Ranch.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

© RUT H Y PO RT E R

Diablo Creative Arts Retreat

[17] ROXANNE GRINSTAD, MOLLY HASHIMOTO and RUTHY PORTER June 18–22, 2006 (Sun–Thu) Learning Center

The first artists bore witness to the power of wild places. Thousands of years later we still draw inspiration from silhouetted peaks and still waters.

Experience the synergy of creative minds gathered in a supportive setting, with an emphasis upon experimentation and celebration. Three talented instructors will lead you in a series of workshops in watercolors, Chinese brush painting, pastels and more. Your instructors, accomplished artists who are familiar with the region, will begin with

2C/24 U S $425, P $575

basics and progress from there, giving short, daily workshops with time built in for independent work and practice. Providing a balance of communal space and quiet areas for individual meditation, the Learning Center campus also offers views of Colonial Peak and Diablo Lake, and a gentle trail to a nearby waterfall. Relax with a paddle on the lake or an afternoon stroll along Deer Creek. Open to all levels, this retreat will give you the chance to lose yourself in art.

15

JIM HARRIS June 23–25, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

From earliest times, the Skagit River has lured people into the North Cascades. Native people arrived first, then gold seekers, explorers, trappers, homesteaders, engineers and outdoor enthusiasts. Jim Harris – an engaging writer, storyteller and retired national park ranger – has been part of this land since childhood. He will share a lifetime of stories as you journey upriver from Newhalem, where navigable waters ended and sojourners faced the terrible torrents and rock chasms of the Skagit.

16

© PAT B U L L E R / P D B P H OT O . CO M

© N AT I O N A L PA R K S E R V I C E

From Where the River Flows: Stories of the Upper Skagit

Wild Poetics

[19] TIM MCNULTY June 23–25, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

1C/18 U S $245, P $345

[18] 18 U S $245, P $345

Visit and hear stories of ancient Indian sites, homesteads, early hydro-works and the “Devil’s Elbow” – a major barrier on the infamous “Goat Trail” in the Skagit Gorge (above). As we continue on to Ruby Creek, we’ll move upstream to find mossy mining digs and decaying artifacts, attesting to the struggles and rewards in this unforgiving and beautiful land. Immerse yourself in the history of the region firsthand. Be prepared for a four-mile hike and to scramble short distances off-trail.

Think of quiet forests and rocky shorelines backed by towering glacier-clad peaks. Spend a contemplative weekend by the edge of Diablo Lake in the early Cascadian summer. Under the tutelage of distinguished Northwest poet Tim McNulty, we’ll explore the connection between nature, wilderness and poetic expression. Working indoors and outside, we’ll combine field observation with writing exercises that stir creativity and hone revision techniques. In the evenings we’ll share our work.

Along the way, we’ll dip into the long tradition of poets who have been inspired by the natural world, from Basho and Gary Snyder to John Haines, Jane Hirschfield and Mary Oliver. www. nc asc a des.org

Jon Riedel

Wild-Harvesting by Kayak II [20] JENNIFER HAHN with Elakah! Expeditions June 23–25, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Spencer Spit State Park

© M E G A N M CG I N T Y

Agents of Change: Glaciers in the North Cascades 1C/18 U

$385

For centuries, Puget Sound cultures have enjoyed a rich and varied diet of wild edibles in the San Juan Islands. Join naturalist and author Jennifer Hahn as we kayak and hike along Lopez Island to learn about the ecology and uses of sea vegetables, shellfish and terrestrial plants. Jennifer will discuss how to collect in a safe, legal and environmentally sensitive manner. In the evening, prepare feasts featuring delicacies like kelp chowder, chocolate pudding from carrageen-rich seaweed, and roasted salmon wrapped in kelp. This class is suitable for beginning paddlers. Tuition includes kayaking equipment, guide, breakfasts, dinners and shuttle from the Lopez Island ferry terminal to our campground.

JON RIEDEL July 5–8, 2006 (Wed–Sat) Baker Lake and Learning Center

[21] 1C/18 U S $325, P $425

There are more glaciers in the North Cascades than anywhere else in the Lower 48. Come explore one of these stunning geological features as we hike six miles to visit the Easton Glacier on Mount Baker.

We’ll discuss the importance of meltwater to the region’s ecology and to the hydroelectric industry.

Explore the largest glacier-fed stream in the state and take a field trip to view the glacial landforms between Diablo and Washington Pass. Three short hikes will highlight key features and provide an opportunity to discuss the future of glaciers and climate. We’ll camp at Baker Lake the first night and spend the next two at the Learning Center.

notes from a naturalist

© D A R I N R E I D / D A R I N R E I D . CO M

ice water WATER DOMINATES the senses in the North Cascades, and of the myriad forms of water, none are more important to the character of this landscape than glaciers. They feed waterfalls that roar year-round, protect salmon runs from drought, color our lakes magnificent shades of green and blue and fuel hydroelectric power.

Glaciers buffer lakes and streams during droughts with an estimated 210 billion gallons of fresh water. Glacial meltwater is possibly why the Skagit River is Puget Sound’s only stream to host all five native species of salmon. Glaciers also inspire us with their power and beauty. Flying buttresses, ice falls, swollen summer streams and other features humble even the hardiest mountain climbers.

Here in the Skagit Valley, the past century’s warm temperatures have greatly diminished our glaciers.

GLACIERS BUFFER Geologic mapping indicates that the area LAKES AND STREAMS of glaciers has declined 40 percent in the past 150 years. The loss of glaciers may have serious consequences for our aquatic ecosystems and industries. Take for example, Baker River, Stehekin River and Thunder Creek. They all feed hydroelectric projects while receiving 10–40 percent of their summer stream flow from glaciers.

Fortunately, snow accumulation was normal for January. We will not be able to tell until fall just how well the sensitive glaciers in our region did. The snowline will provide an estimate of the past year’s glacier balance. If more than half of a glacier is covered in snow and the remainder is gray-blue ice, it is likely that our glaciers will have had a positive year, a first since 2002.

EXPLORE THE WORLD OF GLACIERS IN AGENTS OF CHANGE 360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

17

© LEE WHITFORD

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

People of the Upper Skagit [22] BOB MIERENDORF and GERRY COOK July 7–9, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Ross Lake

1C/18 U

$195

North Cascades Naturalists Retreat

[23] BOB MIERENDORF, ROBERT MICHAEL PYLE, SAUL WEISBERG and SHELLEY WEISBERG July 12–16, 2006 (Wed eve–Sun) Learning Center

The North Cascades are famous for their steep mountain spires and shining glaciers, but to see only this is to miss many other jewels within the park. Sulphurs, saxifrages, Mazama ash and buprestids are some of the mysterious features of the diverse landscape of this region, and they are also important clues to the past. Join us at the Learning Center to explore the landscape as once seen through the eyes of many different peoples who existed long before us.

18

1C/18 U S $425, P $575

Led by four instructors who are familiar with the geography of the park and the surrounding areas, you’ll take part in daily field trips to learn about wildlife, plants and geology. Evening lectures will reveal fascinating stories of the neighborhood. In your free time, enjoy views of Colonial and Pyramid peaks, relax in shade-dappled meditation areas, take a hike on a gentle trail to a hidden waterfall, paddle on Diablo Lake or take an afternoon stroll along Deer Creek Trail.

Take a tour of Ross Lake and enjoy spirited waterfalls, fern-draped canyons and alpine horizons with archeologist Bob Mierendorf and longtime park employee Gerry Cook. They will share their knowledge about the history of the region, discussing Ice Age geology, early Native life, Euro-American explorers and today’s wildland stewards. Travel onboard the 30-foot Ross Mule, an open-decked boat ideal for adventure. Participants must carry personal gear about one mile down a steep trail to the dock on Friday and back up on Sunday. We’ll also take a long hike over gentle terrain to see thousand-yearold cedars along Big Beaver Creek. Tuition includes boat transportation. www. nc asc a des.org

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

The Roots of Biodiversity: Pacific Northwest Forest Ecology PHILIP HIGUERA and SUSAN PRICHARD July 28–30, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

[24] 1C/18 U S $245, P $345

Dramatic gradients in the North Cascades create some of the most diverse coniferous forests in the Northwest. A single hike can reveal more than 14 evergreen species. Learn how climate, landform and the ecology of Northwest trees interact to create the patterns we see in modern forests, and explore the history of these forests over hundreds to thousands of years. We’ll learn about the tools ecologists use to understand modern forests and how tree-ring and lake-sediment records help reconstruct the paleoecology of a region. Evenings will be spent around the fire, with stories and presentations offered by Learning Center staff naturalists.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

© M A R K T U R N E R / T U R N E R P H OT O G R A P H I C S . CO M

Wildflower Field Photography: Combining Art and Science MARK TURNER July 28–30, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

Join photographer Mark Turner for a weekend of learning and practicing techniques for photographing wildflowers in their natural environment. Field sessions will be in diverse locations that provide opportunities for artful detail, beautiful and informative plant portraits and visual explorations of the interrelationships between species and their habitats. Emphasis will be on discovering techniques for creative composition, controlling natural light and separating subjects from distracting backgrounds.

[25] 18 U S $245, P $345

You’ll learn ethical field practices and understand technical descriptions that help create scientifically relevant images. Slide shows will introduce techniques and will be followed by fieldwork. Evening critique of the day’s work will provide rapid feedback. Participants should be familiar with operating their cameras and bring a variety of lenses, from wide angle to macro to telephoto. A tripod is essential. Both digital and film cameras are welcome, but digital slrs will facilitate the critique.

19

1986 2006

cel ebr at ing 20 y e a r s in t he fiel d MY DAUGHTER, HANNAH, was born on a rainy morning, the same year a group of friends and I founded North Cascades Institute. Often it seems like their stories intertwine: fresh with promise as babies, later growing to become inquisitive toddlers and adventuresome kids. At times, I felt like I was wrangling cranky adolescents, but always I was awed by the idealism and energy of youth. Now, nearly 20, Hannah has grown into a confident, spirited young woman, with the education and enthusiasm to tackle the world’s problems. And thanks to dedicated staff, strong board leadership, good partners and widespread support, the Institute is poised to do the same.

We’re proud of the work we’ve done the past 20 years, and remain inspired by our mission – to conserve and restore Northwest environments though education.

Happy birthday, North Cascades Institute.

And happy birthday, Hannah.

20

www. nc asc a des.org

Local photographer Lee Mann donated the striking photograph of Mount Challenger for our first catalog.

BY SAUL WEISBERG / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

i remember their names

like old friends – Sahale, Buckner, Sharkfin, Forbidden, Eldorado, Black, Mixup, Shuksan, Spickard, Redoubt. In the summer of 1983, a friend and I climbed ten peaks in two weeks. We were young. It had been a wet and stormy July. August broke with clear skies. The dawn came with thin streaks of color instead of the leaden gray we had grown accustomed to. We were ready to move.

I remember it as a time of magic. Surrounded by good friends, our bodies strong, we had a mission and dreams. I was newly in love that summer and played my pennywhistle to the clouds from every summit. I carried a copy of Gary Snyder’s Rip Rap and Cold Mountain Poems and read it beside creeks and campfires. Does everyone have a summer like that? I count myself blessed that I have had many, and most of them have been touched in some way by the green mountains of the North Cascades.

That winter a small group of friends dreamed of a field school dedicated to natural history and exploration. We were eager to share our love of the North Cascades and the excitement of what we’d learned about its trails and streams and wildlife. We cared intensely about this place and wanted to create meaningful work in a land we loved. We were not alone. There were many others, throughout the Northwest and around the world, who were also discovering the power of reconnecting with wild places and relearning a broader definition of “home.”

Our plans coalesced around campfires and over kitchen tables. In 1986, as a newly incorporated nonprofit organization, we published our first small catalog, a typewritten, black-and-white booklet with a photograph of Mount Challenger on its cover. Two decades later, I am struck by how our words in that first catalog still ring true: We seek to bring together people who are interested and eager

learners – such as yourself – with those who are gifted teachers and recognized experts in their given fields. This blend makes for a powerful and exciting learning experience rich with a sense of discovery and adventure. Our courses are stimulating, engaging, and fun – educational in the deepest sense. We invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience in this most spectacular place.

A few years ago, Gary Snyder returned to the North Cascades, 50 years since he had been a lookout on Sourdough Mountain. A bunch of us spent a leisurely day together on Ross Lake sharing stories and enjoying the company of old friends. I remembered how Snyder’s poetry had first helped me pay attention to those details in the landscape that I came to love – veins on a vine maple leaf, yellow and black scales on a swallowtail’s wing, striations in a piece of greenschist.

“Paying attention” is at the heart of what a naturalist is, and what we have taught for 20 years at North Cascades Institute. Details are where the magic hides. The way things fit together – the interactions of living and nonliving things – tell a story. To read the story, you have to experience the details up close and personal. That’s the core of our work.

Join us, and begin to know this special place for yourself. From this knowledge and experience come facts and feelings that call us to action. As naturalists we must be involved in the life of the world we study and celebrate.

As we look to the future, we have no other choice.

P O R T I O N S O F T H E A B O V E W E R E F I R S T P U B L I S H E D A S “ S O N G S O F G R E E N M O U N T A I N S , A N AT U R A L I S T ’ S V I E W O F T H E N O R T H C A S C A D E S ” B Y S A U L W E I S B E R G A N D I N C L U D E D I N T H E CO L L E C T I O N “ I M P R E S S I O N S O F T H E N O R T H C A S C A D E S : E S S AY S A B O U T A N O R T H W E S T L A N D S C A P E ” E D I T E D B Y J O H N C . M I L E S A N D P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E M O U N T A I N E E R S I N 1 9 9 6 .

21

Molly Hashimoto

PAINT WITH MOLLY IN LANDSCAPE WATERCOLOR 22

© M O L LY H A S H I M OT O / M O L LY H A S H I M OT O . CO M

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

THOMAS MORAN’S SKETCHES and paintings of Yellowstone National Park first inspired me to paint natural wonders. Through the years I have continued to learn from the work of many landscape masters. What gives their art its power is their unique way of expressing the emotion of that moment of vision; I feel the immediate awe of being there.

When I teach, I start with the skills of representation. I break down the different elements of the landscape based on close observation. The Learning Center provides a landscape of astonishing beauty. We look at the branches and tips of Douglas firs and use a certain wrist motion with a round sable brush to establish that form.

On a rainy day, under a shelter, we study the lichens on alders, using masking fluid to preserve areas of lightness. On Diablo Lake where Pyramid and Colonial peaks tower overhead, we wet the paper and stroke in grays for the edgeless mists. The cloud cover finally gives way to blue sky, and we note how the glacial milky green of Diablo Lake breaks all the rules of water in landscape and is unrelated to any color in the sky. For that rare green DIABLO LAKE BREAKS ALL hue, we mix opaque cerulean blue with THE RULES OF WATER phthalo green.

With these tools, students can begin to articulate their own personal vision. Some may see the landscape as a chaotic world of merging forms and choose a wet-into-wet paint technique. Others may assert the solidity of individual shapes and paint clearly defined edges. Each is a valid expression of individuality. When we paint landscapes, we establish the importance of what we view. We say that this place is worthy of our deepest attention and care.

notes from a naturalist

mists, forests and glacial lakes

Women, Wilderness and Wildflowers Backpack [26] MARLEE OSTERBAUER August 3–7, 2006 (Thu–Mon) Okanogan National Forest

North Cascades Landscape Watercolor

24 U

MOLLY HASHIMOTO August 11–13, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

[27] 1C/18 U

S $295, P $395

$295

Enjoy spectacular scenery, the freedom of wild places and the company of other women, all with a rooted naturalist. After a night of preparation and camping near Winthrop, we’ll head off to explore moss-lined creeks and craggy ridgetops. Our backcountry base camp will be in a wildflower paradise at Boiling Lake along Sawtooth Ridge. We’ll take day hikes to alpine meadows, stopping to study the intricate beauty of plants. In the evenings we’ll share writings and reflections on women in nature.

Prepare for fun and adventure as you gain confidence in backcountry travel. Please read the special backpacking section on page 39.

Learn to paint the rich and diverse visual elements of a North Cascades landscape: cliffs, rocks, broken glaciers, forested ridges and a deep array of conifers. Each day we’ll take a closer look at one or more of these elements and do careful studies of them. We’ll create one complete landscape painting, discussing the many ways to put together a composition. Techniques include working wet-into-wet, working with glazes and layering one landscape zone onto another. We’ll pay special attention to atmospheric perspective and how to achieve it with these methods. Some basic knowledge of watercolor materials and drawing experience is necessary, though all skill levels are welcome. www. nc asc a des.org

1C/18 U S $245, P $345

Discover the science and controversy behind restoring Ursus arctos to its native habitat in the North Cascades. Study bear biology, research and conservation with a dynamic scientist who has studied bear species worldwide. On day hikes in the upper Skagit, we’ll get acquainted with hair snares, moth traps, gps units and data sheets for recording observations such as scat, claw marks and diggings.

While focusing on grizzlies and black bears, we’ll also discuss other species that require landscapelevel management, such as cougars, wolves and lynx. Although seeing a grizzly is highly unlikely, the instructor will address safety precautions.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

Bats of the Pacific Northwest: Ecology and Research [29] ROGER CHRISTOPHERSEN August 11–13, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

© DAV I D PLUT H

CHRIS MORGAN August 11–13, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

[28]

© B R I A N STA F K I

© PAT B U L L E R / P D B P H OT O . CO M

Grizzly and His Brothers: The Science of Conservation Biology

1C/18 U S $245, P $345

Did you know that there are at least 16 species of bats living in the Pacific Northwest, second only to rodents in mammalian diversity? As the only major predator of night-flying insects, bats play a critical role in biological diversity and ecological balance. Join a passionate field researcher and unravel the myths and mysteries of this furry friend of the night sky. We’ll learn about their life histories, behaviors and habitats, and dispel a few human misconceptions. We’ll also participate in active research as we attempt to catch and release bats for scientific data collection, a truly unique and one-of-a-kind hands-on experience.

Beat Poets and Backcountry Writers JEFF MUSE August 17–20, 2006 (Thu eve–Sun) Learning Center companion class >

[30] 1C/18 U

S $325, P $425

From hardscrabble explorers to Beat poets in fire lookouts, the North Cascades have inspired many to put pen to paper. It’s time you did the same. Join a literary naturalist to mix books with rucksacks, writing with adventure. We’ll turn field notes from daylong journeys into stories of our own. On Friday, we’ll canoe up Diablo Lake to the centuries-old cedars along Thunder Creek.

Saturday, we’ll hike the 6,000-foot peak that inspired Gary Snyder’s “Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout.”

23

Ross Lake by Canoe and Journal

[32] 1C/18 U S $245, P $345

BYRON RICKS August 18–22, 2006 (Fri–Tue) Ross Lake

[33] 2C/24 U

$295

[31]

LIBBY MILLS August 17–20, 2006 (Thu–Sun) Learning Center companion class

18 U S $325, P $475

Drawing is a valuable skill for the curious naturalist. Relax and take in the details that emerge with observation. Fill pages with images from the North Cascades as you wander hillside and shoreline, seeking inspiration. Libby will show you how pencils can explore both the light and shadow of the large landscape, and the lines that separate members of the plant world. Experimentation with graphite, colored pencil and pens will all be encouraged. Come ready to try something new.

24

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

© PAT B U L L E R / P D B P H OT O . CO M © LI BBY MI LLS

Drawing the Details

Poems Born from the Upper Skagit JUDITH ROCHE August 18–20, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

Experience Diablo Lake and the spectacular upper Skagit landscape by combining quality writing time with exploration around the Learning Center.

We’ll venture onto nearby trails and respond to specific “prompts” from nature. Working alone on individual projects both indoors and out, we’ll combine close field observation with proven writing exercises, giving direction to your work, no matter your style. Learn from the work of writers such as William Stafford, Lew Welsh, Wendell Berry, Blake and Wordsworth. Both group instruction and private, one-on-one coaching will be offered in this class, which is suitable for both beginners and advanced writers.

Uncover the powerful metaphor of “journey” as you enter the land of Gary Snyder’s famous directive to “tell a good story when we get back home.” We’ll mix invigorating movement, moments of reflection and surefire writing exercises on Ross Lake.

This 25-mile-long jewel is nestled amid glaciercarved mountains and ancient woodlands. Enjoy snow-capped peaks, a warm breeze and the echo of distant waterfalls while we camp in sites along the lake. You must carry your personal gear about one mile down a steep trail to the dock on Saturday and back up Tuesday. Tuition includes canoeing equipment and a final night at the Learning Center; prior experience not necessary. www. nc asc a des.org

© KARL SCHROEDER

Astronomy in the High Desert KARL SCHROEDER August 25–27, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Brooks Memorial State Park

[35] 18 U

$195

© M E G A N M CG I N T Y

Copper Ridge Backpack The night sky is an infinite canvas painted with the ever-changing moon, planets and constellations. In the crisp air of the high desert, we’ll use binoculars and telescopes to observe these and other nighttime wonders. Guided by an enthusiastic teacher, we’ll identify celestial objects while discussing their natural history and the stories that people have told about them for centuries. Highlighting the course will be a trip to the Goldendale Observatory to view the sky through a 24.5-inch Cassegrain telescope, one of the largest public telescopes in the nation.

Take home your newfound knowledge and enjoy a lifetime of stargazing and planetary observation.

We’ll camp at Brooks Memorial State Park.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

[34]

DAVID MOSKOWITZ August 21–25, 2006 (Mon–Fri) North Cascades National Park

Get in on one of the Northwest’s best-kept secrets, the Copper Ridge traverse. From this spectacular six-mile-long subalpine ridge, you’ll have rare views of countless snowy peaks: Baker, Shuksan, Icy, Redoubt, Bear, Slesse and more. Accompany an experienced wilderness guide on a naturalist’s adventure along one of the nation’s most spectacular hikes. En route to the high country we’ll pass through the old growth of the Nooksack headwaters and wildflower meadows below Ruth Glacier near

24 U

$295

Hannegan Pass. Enjoying the warmest and driest month of the year, we’ll tour the diverse geology, flora and fauna of different ecological zones, from lush riparian forest to the tenacious microflora of the rocky alpine ridgelines. We’ll sample the sunripened blueberries at their best as we discuss the impact of the region’s harsh climate, abundant precipitation and glaciers as determining factors of the local ecology. Please see the section on page 39 about backpacking courses.

25

JOAN STUART ROSS and LISA BLACK September 8–10, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

Raptor Migration Research 1C/18 U S $245, P $395

KENT WOODRUFF September 13–15, 2006 (Wed–Fri) Chelan Ridge

[38] 1C/18 U

$245

[36] 12 U S $295, P $395

Rejuvenate your imagination, soul and artistic spirit with an experienced yoga instructor and a noted Northwest artist and poet. Mornings will be spent in a group yoga session beneath towering peaks.

After lunch you’ll spend the afternoon drawing outside. We’ll gather for evening poetry readings and fireside chats, and have plenty of free time for meditation, day hikes and canoeing. This is a perfect introduction for beginners or recharging experience for veterans.

26

© D O N H A R R I N GTO N

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND © KRIS EKSTRAND

Art and Yoga: Plein Air Creativity

The Natural History Essay [37] SUSAN ZWINGER September 8–10, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

Retreat into the North Cascades and give voice to your muse. Led by naturalist and award-winning author Susan Zwinger, we’ll engage all of our senses in writing that incorporates natural history and cultural ties to place. In three days of intensive literary exercises designed to inspire you to new heights, skills and approaches, we’ll practice description, narration, metaphor and other techniques to enrich our prose with clarity and insight.

Our focus will be on the essay form, although these skills can also serve poetry, fiction and science writing. Use the prompts of nature and come away with valuable writing tools and skills. Newcomers and veterans of all forms of writing are welcome.

Journey to the high ridges of the North Cascades to see science in action and watch raptors on their way to winter haunts as far away as Argentina. We’ll visit the best migration locations in Washington at the peak of movement. Up to 16 species of raptors could be encountered, including rare broad-winged hawks. Participants should know the groups of raptors and be able to tell an accipiter from a harrier.

We’ll camp two nights at Chelan Ridge, joining the Chelan Ridge team Thursday evening for a potluck meal and to share field notes. Students will learn firsthand about ways to contribute to wildlife conservation and will be given ideas for volunteer projects to complete on behalf of our wild neighbors. www. nc asc a des.org

Subhankar Banerjee

© PAT B U L L E R / P D B P H OT O . CO M

Cougars and Their Prey: Wildlife Tracking [39] CHRIS CHISHOLM September 15–17, 2006 (Fri–Sun) Learning Center companion class

18 U

Landscapes of Imagination [40] SUBHANKAR BANERJEE and SAUL WEISBERG September 15–17, 2006 (Fri–Sun) 1C/18 U Learning Center companion class S $295, P $395

S $245, P $345

Cougars thrive in the North Cascades, from remote wildlands to the edges of towns and cities. Spend a weekend learning about these large, elusive and adaptable creatures and the ecology required to support them. Under the guidance of an expert tracker, we’ll study the fundamentals of wildlife tracking, including identification, interpretation, trailing and timing. Chris will share his intimate knowledge of forest ecology, cougars and their surprising variety of prey. We’ll get a firsthand look at the terrain these big cats reside in. Before tracking we’ll discuss the relative danger cougars pose and safety precautions in the event of an encounter.

Many forms of art influence our perception of nature, sometimes substituting for firsthand experience. Watercolor images presented before Congress led to the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, the first land to be set aside for preservation.

In 2001, Subhankar went to a remote part of Alaska to document the rich, vibrant life there. The photographs he took became instrumental in the debate over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Join him and Institute director Saul Weisberg as we explore the ideas of wilderness and the effect of nature imagery on personal and public perception.

Discussions will be interspersed with guided naturalist walks and opportunities for exploration.

notes from a naturalist

© S U B H A N K A R B A N E R J E E / W W B P H OT O . CO M

wilderness and imagination WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED in the Arctic Refuge it was an overwhelming and disorienting experience for me. Beauty was not in my mind; survival was. I saw the land as grand yet simple and harsh, a place where the existence of life, including wild flora and fauna and native cultures, is modest and fragile. I wanted to portray the duality of grandness and simplicity, as it was the simplicity that I was irresistibly drawn to.

I always wondered how is it that millions of Americans who have never set foot in the remote Arctic National Wildlife Refuge care so passionately about its preservation. Edward I SAW THE LAND AS Abbey wrote in Desert Solitaire, “A man could GRAND YET SIMPLE be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, power lines, and right-angled surfaces. We need a refuge even though we may never need to go there. I may never in my life get to Alaska, for example, but I am grateful that it is there.”

I believe traditional wilderness philosophy breaks down when it advocates that man does not belong in a wilderness. Henry David Thoreau had a different idea when he wrote, “I wish … to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature.” Read Walden and you will know man must belong to understand that notion.

Imagine you are in a wilderness, where man does belong, and you are with your indigenous friends who are teaching you about wilderness. My Gwich’in and Inupiat friends taught me as much about wilderness as I learned reading the great wilderness writers.

In my mind these are the most profound connections between wilderness and imagination.

E X C E R P T E D F R O M “ W I L D E R N E S S A N D I M A G I N AT I O N , ” D E C E M B E R 6 , 2 0 0 5

JOIN SUBHANKAR FOR LANDSCAPES OF IMAGINATION 360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

27

FALL / WINTER PREVIEW

FIELD SEMINARS

c a s c a de s r a n ge

looking for our fall programs? Starting this year, we’ve split our season into two catalogs. Later this summer, you’ll receive a second edition that includes fall and winter seminars. We hope this change will help you plan ahead and make time in your busy schedule to take a field seminar, attend an event or join us for a free day hike.

Can’t wait until the next issue? Visit www.ncascades.org and sign up for our e-newsletter. You’ll read about new courses as they are confirmed, as well as special events, job opportunities and other announcements.

Registration for fall/winter field seminars begins June 1 when seasonal seminars are posted to our Web site. We’ll be adding more great seminars over the next few months, but here’s a quick preview of what’s in store:

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g / s e m i n a r s

Astronomy’s Big Questions

Chum Spawning on the Sauk

KARL SCHROEDER October 20–22, 2006

STAN WALSH November 18, 2006

Fungi

Wilderness First Responder

FRED RHOADES October 20–22, 2006

REMOTE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL December 10–18, 2006

Inspirations From the Forest: Nature Journaling

Raptors on the Flats

HEATHER WALLIS-MURPHY October 27–29, 2006

DAVID DRUMMOND January 27, 2007

They come from the gradual violence of colliding continents, earth’s crust scraping and buckling by two inches a year, the hot thrust of rock and silent weight of ice.

I would like to have seen it then, though I see it now.

The fracture, wrench, and rise roar and shake this land.

A slow exposure of how mountains live underground.

And if in an eon they flatten, plates crawl apart, volcanos die, rain and snow erode, tectonic histories of molten rock and sheets of ice will write themselves again, until behind one mountain is born another and behind that a hundred more strung together by some deep underground movement that resonates in my own solid core.

Wilderness EMT Tsimshian Basketry LOA RYAN November 10–12, 2006

28

REMOTE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL February 1–March 2, 2007

SARA STEELE / 2005 Retreat participant

www. nc asc a des.org

Thunder Arm

Nature Writing Retreat GARY FERGUSON

KATHLEEN DEAN MOORE ANA MARIA SPAGNA

REGISTER AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG

360 8 56 570 0 ~ 2 09

© M O L LY H A S H I M OT O / M O L LY H A S H I M OT O . CO M

OCTOBER 10–14, 2006

29

A Native Plant Steward volunteer gets down and dirty replanting the Learning Center campus.

Volunteer stewards planted more than 9,000 plants in 2005, with more than 12,000 to go. © DAVID SNYDER

get involved with your community and help protect the environment in a hands-on way. As a steward you’ll receive free, specialized training in the area you choose, sharing what you’ve learned through volunteer service: planting trees, guiding a trail or helping a child spot an eagle along the river.

VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP HELP CONSERVE AND RESTORE

30

Native Plant Stewards Volunteer Season: March–July 2006 Application deadline: March 1, 2006

A Mountain Steward volunteer joins rangers to educate hikers on the trail to Schriebers Meadow, Mount Baker. © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

Help restore more than 22,000 native plants to the national park lands that surround the Learning Center. Although North Cascades National Park includes pristine wilderness, many areas have a long record of human use. Sites affected by invasive species, construction, wildfire and other impacts require considerable restoration. We need help removing exotic plant species, collecting seeds and cuttings, and monitoring results.

The Native Plant Stewards program provides education that helps protect and restore public lands while encouraging people to tread lightly on the land.

Volunteers receive training and then work under the supervision of Institute and national park staff, contributing 20–30 hours of time. Volunteers must be over 21 years of age and physically able to work outdoors in all weather. Free overnight lodging and camping accommodations on a space-available basis.

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s . o r g / s t e w a r d s h i p

Mountain Stewards Volunteer Season: July–September 2006 Application deadline: July 1, 2006

Help protect and restore Mount Baker’s most popular trails by teaching day hikers, backpackers and climbers how to travel safely and reduce their impact on its slopes. Through our partnership with Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, you’ll receive initial training in low-impact recreation skills, natural history and backcountry-management issues. You’ll share your new knowledge with visitors while stationed along hiking trails on Mount Baker. Volunteers must be skilled in hiking and outdoor recreation, including snow travel, but will not be required to travel on technical climbing routes.

STEWARDSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/STEWARDSHIP OR CALL 360 856 5700 ~209

NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE

STEWARD

31

During a year-long professional residency, graduate students live in Learning Center housing.

“WE’RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WITH A PASSION FOR FIELD-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. THAT MEANS AN EQUAL INTEREST IN

© DAVID HALL

FIELD-TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK THAT MAKES PROGRAMS HAPPEN AND ORGANIZATIONS THRIVE.” SAUL WEISBERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GRADUATE PROGRAM MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 32

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s . o r g / g r a d u a t e

interested in a career in environmental education or nonprofit leadership? Consider our graduate program offered in collaboration with Huxley College at Western Washington University.

You’ll explore all aspects of this growing field while acquiring skills in science and cultural studies, teaching all ages and managing an organization.

Unlike most graduate residencies available, ours results in a MEd degree thanks to our partnership with Western Washington University. During a year-long professional residency, students live, work and study at the Learning Center, then follow that with coursework at the university’s campus in Bellingham. Throughout the residency, students tackle key responsibilities under the supervision of North Cascades Institute faculty and staff – from designing, teaching and evaluating programs to nonprofit administration, risk management, marketing, fundraising and community relations.

A Master of Education in Environmental Education with a Certificate in Leadership and Nonprofit Administration is earned upon completion of coursework. The seven-quarter program begins in June with a summer of field studies in the North Cascades. Hit the trail with us and join tomorrow’s leaders!

Working in a hands-on environment, graduate students teach all ages at the Learning Center and in the field.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/GRADUATE OR CALL 360 856 5700 ~209

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

33

Mountain School students hit the trail to learn about geology, ecology and cultural history in the outdoor classroom of North Cascades National Park. © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

established in 1990, Mountain School

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g / s c h o o l

is a nationally recognized environmental education program for elementary, middle and high school students offered in partnership with North Cascades National Park. It has become a model for teaching young people about the natural world through firsthand experiences in the dramatic wildlands of the North Cascades.

Mountain School students come with their classmates, teachers and chaperones to learn why Northwest mountains are important to our plants and wildlife, our rivers and sea, and our communities and cultures. Learning takes place on the trail and within our well-equipped classrooms, under the guidance of experienced staff and hike leaders.

Teachers may choose a program with Learning Center lodging or at the Mountain School shelter in the park’s Newhalem campground. Both offer highly trained staff, curricula aligned with state learning goals and excellent teaching materials to integrate study of mountain environments into classroom activities.

MOUNTAIN SCHOOL BRING YOUR CLASS TO THE CASCADES 34

Ecosystem Explorations 4th–8th grade; Learning Center or Newhalem

Through experiential activities and interdisciplinary journals, students investigate mountain ecosystems and gain a strong foundation in science and Northwest natural and cultural history. Topics may include geology and glaciers, forest and aquatic ecology, plant and wildlife diversity and conservation of natural resources.

Community Building Through Restoration 6th–12th grade; Learning Center

Students examine their role as community members by examining public land use, resource conservation and restoration through team-building activities. Topics may include biodiversity, ecological restoration and the roles of science and other disciplines in conservation.

“AS A FIFTH GRADE TEACHER, I HAVE FOUND THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM HELPS STUDENTS SUCCEED IN THE

Field Science and Leadership

NEWLY MANDATED FIFTH-GRADE SCIENCE WASL.”

Students draw and write in nature journals, taking note of what is seen and discovered during the Mountain School program. © ALLISON UMBAUGH

9th–12th grade; Learning Center

Students learn about current research projects in North Cascades National Park and work closely with Mountain School staff to investigate their own topics of interest. Research topics may include native plant restoration and monitoring, stream studies and assessing wildlife habitat.

DAVID HIRDLER, FIFTH-GRADE TEACHER

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT MOUNTAIN SCHOOL VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/SCHOOL OR CALL 360 856 5700 ~209

35

SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP, LEARNED IN THE FIELD

venturing onto mountain glaciers, Girls on Ice is a free 10-day program for teenage girls, the only one in the nation that combines leadership, mountaineering and science. Led by professional women glaciologists and Institute mountaineering guides, young women come into the alpine wilderness of the North Cascades to hike, camp, and collect and analyze scientific data. As they cover challenging terrain and engage in the process of critical thinking, participants are introduced to new roles for women as scientists, philosophers, mountaineers and explorers. The setting is dramatic – the Easton Glacier on the south side of Mount Baker – and the experience is life changing.

Girls on Ice is funded by donors to North Cascades Institute who believe conservation of Northwest environments is best accomplished by experiential learning under the guidance of knowledgeable mentors. The program is free to nine girls who qualify via a merit-based application process.

FOR MORE INFO AND AN APPLICATION VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/YOUTH OR CALL 360 856 5700 ~209 Teenage girls get a rare opportunity to do glacier research and learn mountaineering skills during the 10-day Girls on Ice leadership program. © MICH E LE KO PP ES

36

Students learn mapreading, canoeing and camping skills during a 10day backcountry experience for high school youth. © BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s . o r g / y o u t h

GIRLS ON ICE

in this exciting 10-day outdoor program, high school youth explore Ross Lake, experiencing stunning views, fantastic hikes, blue-green water and abundant wildlife sightings.

Led by experienced naturalists and wilderness guides, teenagers camp, canoe, hike and participate in the restoration of hiking trails and native plant sites. They learn how to preserve the backcountry, while also learning more about themselves and others. Equipment is provided – canoes, paddles, personal flotation devices, camping and cooking gear – though participants must bring personal gear (assistance is available).

No experience is necessary. Expert instructor guides teach everything, from maneuvering a canoe and working with your partner, to cooking meals, reading maps and setting up tents.

NORTH CASCADES WILD SUMMER YOUTH ADVENTURE North Cascades Wild is available tuition-free to qualifying groups. It is sponsored jointly by North Cascades Institute, Student Conservation Association (SCA), North Cascades National Park, the Alliance for Wilderness Education and Stewardship, and Huxley College of the Environment. The program is supported via a grant from the Arthur Carhart Wilderness Training Center and the generous support of individual donors. For group application and acceptance criteria, or to support this program with your financial contribution, call 360 856 5700 ~209.

37

NORTH CASCADES ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

CONFERENCE FACILITIES bring your group to the North Cascades and host a conference or meeting at our Learning Center. Our unique field campus inspires reflection, understanding and connection to the natural world, as well as each other. We offer groups: • Lodging for up to 40 guests • Catering and meals with local and organic foods • Conference rooms, trailside shelters and a library • Hiking trails and naturalist-led activities.

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g / l e a r n i n g _ c e nt e r

The Learning Center primarily serves as a home for North Cascades Institute’s educational programs. However, as our calendar allows, we meet the needs of groups who want to experience the North Cascades through their own retreats and conferences. Preference is given to organizations whose mission and values are consistent with ours, especially peer conservation organizations and education groups. Conference fees help subsidize our youth education programs and scholarships for low-income participants.

PRICING AND OTHER DETAILS AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/LEARNING_CENTER OR CALL 360 856 5700 ~275

The Salal Terrestrial Lab is one of three classroom spaces, along with trailside shelters and cozy lounges, available to your group. © DAVID HALL

38

www. nc asc a des.org

registration registration

cancellations

backpacking

You can register for seminars online or by phone with your Visa or MasterCard. If you would rather mail in your payment, registration forms are available at www.ncascades.org. Upon receipt of your tuition, we will send a registration confirmation that includes an outline of how and when to expect detailed class information. We keep classes small, 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15, to ensure quality and enjoyment.

To register for other programs call us at 360 856 5700 ~209 or download the appropriate paper application from www.ncascades.org.

Our programs proceed rain or shine. Participant cancellations received 21 or more days before the start of a class will receive a full refund minus a $45 registration fee. Participant cancellations received less than 21 days before the start of a class will not receive a refund. If low enrollment or severe weather forces us to cancel a class, participants will receive a full refund or transfer option.

All of our backpacking seminars involve moderately strenuous hiking on high-elevation trails.

You must be able to carry a full pack, weighing between 40 and 60 pounds, for an average of four to six hours per day. Participants must be in good physical condition and provide their own gear.

Previous backpacking experience is required. All participants must fill out and return medical history and insurance information forms, which will be mailed with your class letter.

Group success in a backcountry situation is dependent upon how well each individual is prepared. Your class letter will have a general itinerary, directions to the trailhead and items to bring, including absolute essentials. Anyone not appropriately equipped may not be allowed to participate and no refund will be issued.

tuition Our tuition is on a per person basis unless stated otherwise and includes a $45 non-refundable registration fee. We cannot provide discounts to participants who arrange alternative lodging.

Attendance at seminars is for paid registrants only.

20 percent first-timer discount

Our programs are conducted in the field and often involve hiking or canoeing. Participants should be in good physical condition and prepared to spend full days outdoors. Backpacking and other backcountry or water-based classes have special safety concerns and require preparation. Please read and follow class letter recommendations.

Seminars are for adults only. Children 14 years and older may sometimes participate, pending approval by the seminar coordinator and instructor. Approval must be obtained prior to registration. Approved minors must be accompanied by a responsible, participating adult. Pets do not make good participants; please leave them at home.

We may encounter mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, inclement weather and other unpredictable circumstances. Protective clothing, sunscreen, rain gear and insect repellent are advised. Participants assume full responsibility for their own safety and must provide their own health and accident insurance. You will be required to sign a health/risk and hold-harmless waiver before the course begins.

accommodations We provide programs to meet a variety of comfort and activity levels. Accommodations range from our new Learning Center to national park campgrounds, lodges or wilderness camps. Sleeping arrangements vary from tents to bunkrooms to private rooms. Some classes require participants to provide their own bedding or camping gear.

Others include full amenities, as reflected in the tuition. At facilities other than the Learning Center, participants must provide their own food unless meals are noted in class description. Overnight accommodations are for paid registrants only. We cannot accommodate pets or unregistered guests.

CAMPING-BASED CLASSES take place at reserved sites in established automobile-accessible campgrounds or along backcountry hiking trails throughout the North Cascades. Participants are responsible for their own food, often sharing potluck dinners. Water and restroom facilities vary from primitive to fully modern and are described in the class materials sent to participants.

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g

First-timer discount applies to new participants in adult field seminars only. Offer does not apply to family, speaker series, events, trainings or any other programs and cannot be combined with other offers or scholarships. Maximum discount is $75. Discount valid for registrantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first class only. If registering for multiple classes at one time, discount will be applied to most expensive course.

Full payment required at time of registration.

Standard cancellation policy applies.

risk and responsibility

THE LEARNING CENTER is our new field campus on Diablo Lake. The campus features trails, a canoe dock, outdoor learning shelters, classrooms, an amphitheater and a library. Facilities and local trails are ADA accessible. The Learning Center has three lodges for housing participants and instructors. Each lodge has shared gender-specific bathrooms with showers. The bedrooms vary from two to three twin beds per room. Rooms with three beds are configured bunk style. Bedrooms also include Internet ports, one or two writing desks and two built-in wardrobes. Participants are asked to bring their own bedding and towels. If traveling from a long distance, please inquire about renting linens or sleeping bags. Delicious, healthy meals incorporating local and organic foods are provided in our lakeside dining hall for paid registrants only. If you have special dietary requirements or food allergies, we will gladly attempt to accommodate them with advance notice.

39

meet our instructors scott babcock , PhD [5, 13], is a professor of geology at Western Washington University. His research takes him into the remote backcountry of the North Cascades where he has contributed significantly to our understanding of its rugged landforms. His writing is included in Impressions of the North Cascades and Hiking Washington’s Geology.

subhankar banerjee , MS [40], came to international attention when his exhibition, “Seasons of Life and Land,” was shown at the Smithsonian during the drilling debate. He has been the subject of numerous features and many awards, including the Lannan Foundation Cultural Freedom Fellowship and the Green Leaf Award for photography.

mike barnhart [6] is a descendent of early Lake Chelan pioneers. A professional photographer for more than 30 years, he is co-publisher of Lake

Chelan and the North Cascades, Holden Village: A Christian Renewal, Stehekin: A Mountain Community and an award-winning calendar.

nancy barnhart [6] is an artist and

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s .o r g

photographer who has captured Cascade landscapes on film for decades. With particular affection for Stehekin, Nancy’s focus on detail and design complements her love of the mountains. She is co-publisher of several books with her husband, Mike.

lisa black , MEd [36], is a senior master certified yoga teacher and owner of SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga in Seattle and Bellevue. She has studied yoga practices in India, worked with yoga master Baron Baptiste since 2001 and teaches nationally and internationally. Lisa is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys practicing yoga while backpacking in the North Cascades.

peter capen [10] is an author, lecturer and award-winning photographer. A fellow of the British Royal Geographical Society, he has participated in expedi40

tions to study and document wildlife on land and sea, indigenous cultures and archaeological sites in locations around the world. He is a former executive director of the Whale Museum in the San Juan Islands.

Waters: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage,

chris chisholm [2, 39] is founder of

molly hashimoto [17, 27] teaches

the Wolf Camp Cooperative and author of Wolf Journey: Trail of the Naturalist. He has extensive training with Tom Brown Jr. and other pioneers of the earth skills field.

Chris is a delightful teacher who specializes in wildlife tracking, bird vocalizations, ethnobotany, wilderness survival and Pacific Northwest ecology.

widely in the Puget Sound area and is a noted children’s book illustrator. Her watercolors have been exhibited at galleries and museums in Oregon and Washington. She enjoys working with students of all ages and helping others to see the world with new eyes.

won the Barbara Savage Miles from Nowhere Memorial Award. The tale recounts her 750-mile solo kayak trip through the Inside Passage from Alaska to Washington.

dynamic teacher and author of Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, The Natural History of Puget Sound Country and Geology and Plant Life: The Effects of Land Forms and Rock Types on Plants.

tim mcnulty [19] is one of the Northwest’s best poets. His volumes of poetry include Pawtracks, In Blue Mountain Dusk and Reflected Light. He is a noted conservationist and the author of two nonfiction books: Olympic National Park: A Natural History and Mount Rainier National Park.

jim harris [18] was raised on a “stump farm” roger christophersen [29] is a wildlife biologist for North Cascades National Park and an accomplished mountaineer and backcountry guide. He has conducted field research on a variety of birds and mammals, including mountain goats, bats, and most recently, forest carnivores.

gerry cook [22] is the most senior employee at North Cascades National Park, having worked on Ross Lake since before the park’s creation in 1968. He is an accomplished artist and naturalist with a passion for backcountry tales and wilderness preservation.

in the upper Skagit Valley and has worked as a logger, teacher, forest ranger and park interpreter. An expert on local history, he shares stories of people and places to illustrate the effects of humans on the landscape.

philip higuera , PhD [24], expects to finish his PhD in forest ecology in June 2006. He is interested in long-term forest history, climate, fire and vegetation.

His research has taken him from the forests of Western Washington to the Brooks Range of Alaska. Philip enjoys exploring the Cascades on skis and on foot.

jim johannessen , MS [3], runs Coastal mark darrach , MS [7], is a geologist and botanist with years of technical experience in plant taxonomy and plant ecology research in the Pacific Northwest and the western U.S. Mark’s idea of a good time is hiking through the desert during wildflower season, searching for native plants.

Geologic Services in Bellingham, specializing in coastal processes and restoration. He’s designed coastal restoration projects throughout Puget Sound and the Northwest straits. Jim has worked in the local consulting field since 1984 and is a licensed engineering geologist.

marca kidwell-babcock , MEd roxanne grinstad , MEd [14, 17], is an accomplished artist and educator with a gift for inspiring students of all ages. She is author and illustrator of Wildflowers of Holden, a field guide to wildflowers in the Glacier Peak area.

[5, 13], is currently a science education teacher in the Bellingham School District. She enjoys teaching about the environment, earth science, water quality and butterflies.

art kruckeberg , PhD [16], is a renowned jennifer hahn [15, 20] is a writer, naturalist and kayak guide. Her recent book, Spirited

specialist in Pacific Northwest flora and professor emeritus of botany at the University of Washington. He is a

bob mierendorf , MA [22, 23], has been an archaeologist and anthropologist with North Cascades National Park for more than 20 years. An Institute board member for many years, Bob has been teaching since 1986, emphasizing the historical and universal connections that all people have with their environment.

libby mills [4, 11, 31] is a wildlife biologist, artist and naturalist for The Nature Conservancy’s Skagit River Bald Eagle Preserve. She has taught at the Audubon Ecology Camp in Maine and aboard ships from Baja to Alaska. Libby records the sights and sounds of nature in field journals, books and on audiotape.

chris morgan , MS [28], has worked as a wildlife biologist and educator for 15 years. He is director of Insight Wildlife Management in Bellingham, Washington, and director of science strategies for Canopy in San Francisco. His studies of the world’s eight bear species have led him to the Northwest where he focuses on the conservation of grizzlies and black bears.

david moskowitz [34] is an Outward Bound instructor, wilderness guide and naturalist. His recent work includes environmental education trainings in the North Cascades, rare forest carnivore surveys and teaching for the Wilderness Awareness School. David has been published in regional and professional publications.

www. nc asc a des.org

jeff muse , MS [30], is our Learning Center director and graduate residency supervisor. With eight years at the Institute, he writes and teaches about local natural history with a penchant for Beat lookouts and backcountry tales. Jeff lives with his wife, Paula, in their newly built “Pacific Rim farmhouse” in Rockport.

robert michael pyle , PhD [9, 23], is an outstanding naturalist with a special fondness for butterflies. His books include Chasing Monarchs, The

Butterflies of Cascadia, Walking the High Ridge: Life as Field Trip and Wintergreen, winner of the 1987

jack nisbet [8] has taught human and

John Burroughs Medal for Distinguished Nature Writing.

His column, “The Tangled Bank,” can be read in Orion every other month.

natural history and written for various newspapers and magazines. His books include Sources of the River:

thea linnaea pyle [9] is a printmaker

Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America, which won the Murray Morgan History Prize, Singing Grass, Burning Sage and Visible Bones, which won a Washington State Book Award in 2004.

marlee osterbauer [12, 26] is an

byron ricks [33] is the well-traveled author

enthusiastic outdoorswoman and wildflower specialist.

Having worked as a wilderness ranger for many years, she has a vast knowledge of the plant communities of the North Cascades-Puget Sound region.

of Homelands: Kayaking the Inside Passage, a chronicle of his five-month kayak journey with his wife from Glacier Bay, Alaska, to southern Puget Sound.

Byron’s essays have appeared in National Geographic Adventure and Outside.

erin pettit , PhD [p.36], is a glaciologist who jon riedel , PhD [21], is a geologist with the National Park Service, assisting in the Pacific Northwest with management of hydrologic and geologic resources, hazards, floodplains and erosion control. Jon has published several books and papers on geologic history.

ruthy porter [17] is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer whose primary influences spring from her passion for nature’s details. With a background in environmental education, Ruthy employs art as a window into the natural sciences and human relationships.

susan prichard , PhD [24], is a forest ecologist working for the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory. A resident of the Methow Valley, she has spent most of her life in Washington State and has studied forests from the soil to forest canopy and from prehistoric times to the present, focusing on the effects of fire and other disturbances on forest dynamics.

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

judith roche [32] is the author of two collections of poetry, Myrrh/My Life as a Screamer and Ghost. She is co-editor of First Fish, First People, which won an American Book Award, and she has edited a number of poetry anthologies. Her most recent work has appeared in Exquisite Corpse, Pebble Review and several anthologies.

hiker and bug-watcher. cializes in wild edible and medicinal plants from urban areas to mountain meadows. A homesteader in the North Cascades, he gathers and grows much of his own food.

astronomer, president of the Seattle Astronomical Society and a builder of telescopes. When he is not teaching, working with the elementary school science program Project Astro or giving talks to astronomy clubs, Karl enjoys hosting star parties to show people the wonders of the heavens.

shelley weisberg , MS [24], is a botanist who delights in teaching about the joys of native plants. She has studied plant communities throughout Washington and coordinated a plant restoration project for North Cascades National Park.

kent woodruff [38] is a wildlife biologist with the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest who loves to teach. His classroom is where you can smell and hear and feel the subjects under investigation. His favorite subjects are birds, bats and butterflies and how they fit in the web of life.

rainer stahlberg , PhD [16], is a research associate in the Department of Botany at the University of Washington. Educated in Europe, he specializes in photobiology, which addresses the effects of light on living organisms. Rainer is also an excellent field instructor who has worked alongside the distinguished botanist Art Kruckeberg for years.

susan zwinger , PhD [37], is the author of The Last Wild Edge and Stalking the Ice Dragon, winner of the 1992 Governor’s Writers Award. A gifted artist and naturalist, Susan writes for many natural history and literary journals and has recently completed The Hanford Reach: A Land of Contrasts.

mark turner [25] is a freelance editorial photographer specializing in botanical subjects, especially Northwest wildflowers and gardens. A member of the native plant societies of Washington and Oregon, he has more than 25 years of experience exploring native plants.

dana visalli , MS [1, 4], is a field botanist specializing in rare plant species. As director of the Methow Biodiversity Project, he coordinates a biological inventory of the Methow River watershed and publishes The Methow Naturalist, a seasonal natural history journal.

joan stuart ross , MFA [36], is a Seattle artist known for her prints and paintings and teaches art at North Seattle Community College. Her work is included in many public and private collections, including a commission of paintings for the King County Justice

the Mountains to the Sea and North Cascades: The Story behind the Scenery, Saul is also an avid paddler,

dave sansone [12] is a naturalist who spe-

karl schroeder , MS [35], is an amateur and gardener who majored in botany at the University of Washington and has taught wildflower classes in Chelan.

Her husband, Bob, calls her “the single most observant naturalist I know.”

has researched the dynamics of ice flow from Antarctica to Mount Rainier. An ardent outdoorswoman who studies and teaches about alpine wildlands, she is currently studying dry valley glaciers.

Center. She is also a published poet and the co-owner of BallardWorks art studios.

saul weisberg , MS [40], is executive director and co-founder of North Cascades Institute. He is an ecologist, naturalist and writer who has explored the Pacific Northwest for more than 25 years. Author of From

INTERESTED IN PROPOSING A COURSE? We invite naturalists, scientists, educators, writers and artists to submit proposals to teach field seminars as independent contractors.

Typical courses are small, averaging 12 students, and last from one to five days. Classes take place primarily in the field, using accommodations from backcountry camps to rustic lodges, as well as the Learning Center. Please remember that our focus is Northwest natural and cultural history. Many courses incorporate literature, writing, visual arts and other subjects. Some of our classes are offered for 400-level academic credit through Western Washington University, and others are available for teacher clock hour certification. Learn more in the employment section of our Web site or contact our adult programs coordinator at megan_mcginty@ncascades.org.

41

HELP US GIVE TODAY

CONSERVE AND RESTORE NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTS Please consider a gift to North Cascades Institute and join our mission to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. Your support will help us:

YOUR SUPPORT makes our work possible. Return this form to North Cascades Institute, call us at 360 856 5700 ~209 or donate online at www.ncascades.org.

share our flagship program, Mountain School, where children explore North Cascades wildlands up close with their classmates, teachers and chaperones. Children who attend show greater appreciation for their environment and improved attitudes toward classroom learning and teamwork.

Mountain School is a life-changing experience for today’s youth.

name

a d d r ess

c it y

state

zi p

phon e (day)

phone (evening)

inspire teenage girls to be leaders and scientists through Girls on Ice, which combines leadership, mountaineering and science. Based on the Easton Glacier in the North Cascades, it is led by professional female glaciologists and mountain guides, and helps girls feel at home in the wilderness while gaining a new appreciation for science. Your financial support will help all qualifying girls participate regardless of their ability to pay.

ema il a d d r ess

donation amount

t w w w. n c a s c a d e s . o r g / g i v e

q $250

introduce low-income, inner-city youth to the magic of wild places through our new North Cascades Wild. Led by experienced naturalists and wilderness guides, teenagers camp, canoe, hike and participate in the restoration of hiking trails and native plant sites. It’s a powerful way for young people to learn more about their public lands, each other and themselves.

42

q $1000

q $5000

q Other

I would like to pledge $_______ per month for _______ years for a total of $_______. Please bill my credit card.

method of payment q Check, payable to North Cascades Institute

q Visa

q MasterCard

c r e d it c a r d numb e r

&

If you believe direct experience in the natural world inspires change, please make a contribution to North Cascades Institute. Help a generation of young people step outside.

q $500

s ignatu r e ( as name a p pe a rs on c a r d )

NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE 8 1 0 state ro ute 2 0, se d ro - woo l l e y, wa 98 2 8 4

www. nc asc a des.org

3

canada united states

art and photography ack

Riv

er

Ross Lake

542

Mt. Shuksan

542

Bellingham

Diablo Lake Newhalem

Baker Lake

Administrative Offices

NORTH CASCADES Marblemount

Skagit

20

Anacortes

River

Sedro-Woolley SKAGIT VALLEY g

ish River uam

Sa

St

i

lla

uk

ve

Ri

Isla

ve

METHOW VALLEY

20

Okanogan

Stehekin

153

97

Lake Chelan

e d

2

2

We

m

Ri

ve

r

ee

Riv

er

ID

Mt. Stuart

s

97

NV

a

CA

ite Ri r ve

c

5

Ya

0

ki

0

10 10

20 20

30

30 40

50 km

m

a Ri

Olympia

OR

Wenatchee

90

Wh

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability in any of our policies or programs.

WA

t

al

ie

Tacoma

north cascades institute is a

Leavenworth

na

a

BC

ch

c

Seattle

N

Chelan

qu

Ho od Ca na l

omish Riv er

Vashon Island

2006 North Cascades Institute. All rights reserved. Art, photo and poetry copyrights remain with creators and are used with permission; text © North Cascades Institute.

copyright

ve

staff and board listed online.

Skyk

Sno

PUGET SOUND

5

360 8 56 570 0 ~2 09

Ri

Everett

about the cover

“Between Shuksan and Kulshan” by Skagit Valley artist REBECCA FLETCHER. Oil on used door panel; 79 ~ 30.˝ You can contact her at bfletch@nwlink.com.

ow

Winthrop

Glacier Peak

nd

Catalog direction and design: BENJAMIN DRUMMOND www.bendrum.com

20

r

ey

ALLISON UMBAUGH

Meth

r

SAN JUAN ISLANDS

97

Learning Center

Mt. Baker

r

ks

Okanogan Rive

N

oo

Whidb

MARIA CORYELL-MARTIN www.expeditionaryart.com (p.31) KRIS EKSTRAND ROXANNE GRINSTAD DAVID HALL RAMONA HAMMERLY (Baker p.17) MOLLY HASHIMOTO www.mollyhashimoto.com MEGAN MCGINTY LIBBY MILLS DAVID PLUTH RUTHY PORTER MARCIA PHILLIPS (paddlers p.12, ridge p.27) DARIN REID www.darinreid.com DAVID SNYDER SARA STEELE (arrows) MARK TURNER www.turnerphotographics.com

5

r a n g e

Special thanks to the artists and photographers who donated the use of their work for this catalog: CATHERINE AUSTIN (Pyramid p.22) SUBHANKAR BANERJEE www.wwbphoto.com PAUL BANNICK www.paulbannick.com MIKE AND NANCY BARNHART www.barnhartphoto.com PAT BULLER www.pdbphoto.com

Ellensburg

r

© D A R I N R E I D / D A R I N R E I D . CO 43M

40 miles

YOU’RE INVITED TO CELEBRATE WITH US! Don’t miss North Cascades Institute’s 20th anniversary party at our new field campus. You’ll enjoy a free day at the Learning Center with tours, activities, naturalist walks, canoe trips, a picnic buffet and live music to celebrate our 20th year in the field and the official ribboncutting ceremony of the Wild Ginger Library.

RSVP AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/CELEBRATION

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

© BENJAMIN DRUMMOND

JUNE 3, 2006 AT THE LEARNING CENTER

NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284 360 856 5700 ~209 www.ncascades.org

♼

PRINTED ON 100 PERCENT POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER MANUFACTURED WITH WINDPOWER 44 B Y CH OOS I NG R ECYCL ED FI BE R WE SAVED 80 TREES, 34,101 GA LLO NS O F WAT E R A N D 3,618 PO U N DS O F S O LID WASTE