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Explore your wild backyard with North Cascades InstituteWe here at North Cascades Institute are heartened to see people expressing a renewed interest in getting to know their own extended neighborhoods. Couples are choosing to spend more of their leisure time closer to home. Families are rediscovering the joys of keeping it simple when it comes to vacations.For more than 25 years, we’ve been working to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education and hands-on experiences, believing that learning about and imbibing in the intimate details of a place naturally lead to caring about the integrity of that place. Knowledge precedes connection, and we need both before action.What are you waiting for? Rediscover the simple pleasures of learning, creating and playing in nature with others. In 2009, the Institute is offering more ways than ever to rediscover and reconnect with this amazing place we are so fortunate to call home.
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EXPLORE YOUR WILD BACKYARD WITH NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE
andHERE!
I’M HEARTENED TO SEE PEOPLE
EXPRESSING a renewed inter-
est in getting to know their
own extended neighborhoods.
Families are rediscovering
the joys of simple vacations.
Couples are choosing to spend
their leisure time closer to
home. In 2008, North Cascades
Institute served a record number
of people at the Learning Center
and across the state; more fami-
lies communing at our Family
Getaways, more artists and writ-
ers participating in our creative
retreats, more friends enjoying
Diablo Downtimes and Field
Excursions, more adults taking
natural and cultural history
classes and more children learn-
ing about the North Cascades
ecosystem in Mountain School.
Yahoo News recommends
that we “chill out, stay green and
explore the wild side without
burning through your budget”
while Green Living Ideas notes
“with a little creativity, you can
create an affordable retreat in
your own backyard…staycations
allow you to explore the activities
in your area that you usually
brush aside, assuming that one
day you’ll have time for them.”
The popularity of staycations
is a positive trend for many rea-
sons—environmental, economic,
spiritual—and they dovetail with
our goals at the Institute. For 24
years, we’ve been working to
conserve and restore Northwest
environments through educa-
tion and hands-on experiences,
believing that learning about
and feeling the intimate details
of a place naturally lead to
caring about the integrity of
that place. Knowledge precedes
connection—we need both
before action.
We’ve seen it happen again
and again, and it never gets
old: the wonder that washes
over the faces of students as
they make a new discovery
alongside Deer Creek; families
forging memories on a hike
to Sourdough Waterfall, the
amazement of kids paddling a
canoe for the first time on Ross
Lake. Learning the names of our
neighbors—maidenhair fern,
pika, greenschist, lazuli bunting,
green darner—changes and
enriches our lives.
What are you waiting for?
Flip through this catalog (or visit
www.ncascades.org for expand-
ed listings) and find the program
that is right for you. Bring along
your family, your partner or your
friends. Rediscover the simple
pleasures of learning and playing
in nature. This year we offer more
ways than ever to rediscover
and reconnect with this amazing
place we are so fortunate to call
home. By choosing to explore
your own backyard, you’ll not only
benefit the environment and your
budget—you’ll also give yourself
the gift of connection, community
and hope for the future.
Saul Weisberg, Executive Director
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AV
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CO N T E N T SMarch
28-29 Sourdough Speaker Series I:
In the Company of Tony Angell
April10-12 Booklovers Weekend with
Nancy Pearl
17-19 A Sense of Place: Writing
about the Outdoors
The Secret Life of Lichens
Simple Elegance: Block
Printing in the North
Cascades
25-26 Sourdough Speaker Series II:
Abby Hill’s Legacy of Art and
Conservation
May1-3 Hands to Work: Learning
Center Stewardship
Weekend
9-10 Colors and Calls: Birding By
Ear and Eye
Sourdough Speaker Series
III: The Skagit River Dams
15-17 May Diablo Downtime
23-25 Memorial Day Family
Getaway
27 An Evening with Gary Snyder
30 Duwamish River Kayak
Excursion
Institute Annual Picnic
June 5-7 Landscape and Lens:
Photographing the North
Cascades
Spring Birding Weekend:
Neo-Tropical Migrants
6 Free Day Trip I
7 Wild Whatcom: The Nature
of Bellingham
12-14 Greening Your Garden
The North Cascades in Plein
Air Watercolor
Beats: The Rhythmic
Experience of the North
Cascades
San Juan Islands Botany
14 Field Sketching: Deception
Pass
19-21 June Diablo Downtime
21 Wild Whatcom: The Nature
of Bellingham
26-28 Late June Family Getaway
26-28 Methow Migrations: Birds
28-2 Grantwriting in the North
Cascades
©
l ON THE WEB: WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/GET_OUTSIDE
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
4
July 2-5 Fourth of July Family
Getaway
9-12 Family Backpacking I
Ross Lake by Boat and Boot:
People and Places of the
Upper Skagit
10-12 July Diablo Downtime
12 Skagit Valley Farm Tour I
13-15 Mid July Family Getaway
16–19 Art Afield: Diablo Creative
Arts Retreat
17-19 The Night Sky in the High
Desert
19 Free Day Trip II
23-26 Late July Family Getaway
25 Geology of Mount Baker I:
Lake Ann
26 Wildflowers of Mount
Baker I
Skagit Valley Farm Tour II
30- Aug 2
Eleventh Annual Thunder
Arm Writing Retreat
August1 Wildflowers of Mount
Baker II
2 Free Day Trip III
6-9 Geology of Mount Baker II:
Easton Glacier Backpack
7-9 August Diablo Downtime
10-12 Early August Family Getaway
12-16 Easy Pass Backpack:
Thunder Creek to Fisher
Basin
Family Backpacking II
13-16 Beats on the Peaks: Lookout
Poets and Backcountry Tales
on Ross Lake
Northwest Naturalists
Weekend
17-19 Mid-August Family Getaway
21-23 Late August Family Getaway
22 Geology of Mount Baker III:
Ptarmigan Ridge
27-30 Sourdough Mountain
Celebration
28-30 Mutual Destinies: Human-
Corvid Interactions
September 4-7
Labor Day Family Getaway
11-13 Constructive Capitalism:
Opportunities of
Sustainability
Forest Carnivores of the
North Cascades
Digital Outdoor
Photography: Capturing the
Cascades
12 Shack Medicine: A Fishtown
Excursion
18-20 September Diablo Downtime
20 Skagit Valley Harvest Tour III:
Upriver Bounty
26 Seattle’s Wild Side: Natural
History in the Streets
26-27 Sourdough Speaker Series
IV
27 Free Day Trip IV
October2-4 Will Write for Change:
Communication Tools and
Techniques for Activists
3 Shades of Fall: Arboretum
Watercolor Expedition
10-11 Sourdough Speaker Series
V: Border Songs with Jim
Lynch
16-18 October Diablo Downtime
23-25 Sit, Walk, Write: Nature and
the Practice of Presence
24-25 Toadstools, Fairy Rings and
Witch’s Butter: Northwest
Mushrooms 101
November7-8 Sourdough Speaker Series
VI
25-28 Thanksgiving Family
Getaway
5
elusive combination of adventure and comfort?
Searching for a way to experience the great outdoors without traveling too far afield? Want
to feel like you’ve left behind your day-to-day life without the burden of a large credit card or
carbon footprint?
In the spirit of eco-friendly “stay-cations,” North Cascades Institute offers a way to con-
nect with your family—and nature too—at our Learning Center on Diablo Lake. Spend time
together enjoying the invigorating mountain air and starry skies of the North Cascades, but
leave the tent at home because our lodges offer the excitement of camping without all the
complications! We’ve created a slate of activities perfect for introducing people of all ages to
nature, from hikes through ancient woodlands along Thunder Creek to story-telling, games
and arts and crafts to an exploration of forest life we call “Slugs, Snags and Sapsuckers.”
With the tastes of multiple generations in mind, our kitchen staff serves three scrumptious,
healthful, buffet-style meals a day in our lakeside dining hall. After evening campfires, you and
your family can retire to your private room, spend some time with a book in the Wild Ginger
Library or stay up late chatting with new friends in one of our comfortable lounges.
We welcome families that include parents, guardians, grandparents, children and extended
family. Three-day Family Getaways are $225 per adult (18 and older) and $155 per child
(ages 3-17); four-day Getaways are $295 per adult (18 and older) and $195 per child (ages
3-17). Children ages two and younger can be added to the “family” registration at no charge.
Children under the age of six are the responsibility of a parent throughout the program.
Make this summer’s close-to-home getaway one your family will look forward to year after year!
F A M I LY G E TA W AY SGATHER YOUR FAMILY IN THE NORTH CASCADES
May 23–25 (Memorial Day)
June 26–28
July 2–5 (4 day/4th of July)
July 13–15 (midweek)
July 23–26 (4 day)
Aug 10–12 (midweek)
Aug 17–19 (midweek)
Aug 21–23
Sept 4–7 (4 day/Labor Day)
Nov 25–28 (4 day/
Thanksgiving)
l ON THE WEB: WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/FAMILY
l FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/FAMILY OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x209www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
6
2009
k
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Big Canoe: Adventure on Diablo Lake
“Big Trees and Big Views”
“Birds to Bears” Wildlife Tracking
Children’s Story Hour
“Geology Rocks!” Waterfall Hike
“Slugs, Snags and Sapsuckers” Forest Life Introduction
ON THE WEB: WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/FAMILY k www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
7
a weekend to relax. Diablo Downtime is for anyone looking for
a break from the hurried life, a laid-back stretch in the mountains with only the simplest decisions
to make: What kind of adventure should I choose today? Paddling on Diablo Lake or the hike to the
Sourdough Creek waterfall? How about a little yoga in the morning? Should I have seconds of that
organic blueberry cobbler? Or just stroll to the dock to enjoy the sunset...
Named for the beautiful lake at our doorstep, Diablo Downtime is a getaway for adults—singles,
couples, siblings, friends, even parents looking for a hideout. Arriving Friday afternoon, you’ll settle
into our cozy lodges, and then gather as the sun sets over Diablo Lake for a welcome with hors
d’oeuvres. Each day, you can choose from a range of activities, from invigorating hikes with local
naturalists to canoe trips through pine-studded islands and fern-draped cliffs to beginning and
intermediate yoga.
You’ll also appreciate “slow food”—delicious meals that celebrate food gathered from the bounty
of the Skagit Valley. Our talented kitchen staff will offer an introduction to the Institute’s Foodshed
Project, our initiative to use local and organic products at the Learning Center and teach about food
choices, sustainable agriculture and culturally important foods in the Pacific Northwest.
Then, of course, there’s the peace and quiet of the North Cascades, which you’re more than wel-
come to indulge in. Just come upriver, settle in and relax. We’ll be waiting for you.
D I A B L O D O W N T I M EHIKING AND CANOEING, YOGA AND SLOW FOOD
Charles Claassen, Adam Russell,
Hannah Sullivan and Institute
Naturalists
(Fri eve–Sun)
Learning Center $325 includes 2
nights double-occupancy lodging and
6 meals
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR PRIVATE ROOM
Diablo Downtime yoga instructor Hannah Sullivan practices a headstand
l FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/DOWNTIME OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x209www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
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2009
LEARNING CENTER DAY TRIPS
Ramble through the mossy woods. Hike to a hidden waterfall. Paddle on emerald-green Diablo Lake.
Learn more about the Institute, our programs and our eco-friendly Learning Center campus. Our free
Day Trips are easy to enjoy—just lace up your boots, pack your lunch and venture to our campus off
Highway 20. Bring personal gear, appropriate clothing, food and water. This is a day program only;
participants are responsible for their own lodging and meals off campus. Doors open for signup at
8:30 am for the following activities:
Gently paced, naturalist-led hikes departing from the Learning Center office. Visitors may hike
independently as well.
Voyager canoe trips are weather-dependent and first come, first served. Twelve passengers maxi-
mum per trip; must be over six years of age. Prior experience is not necessary and all canoeing
equipment will be provided.
l MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING DRIVING DIRECTIONS, AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/DAYTRIPS.
9
S O U R D O U G H S P E A K E R S E R I E SONE-NIGHT GATHERINGS AT THE LEARNING CENTER
an important part of the cultural
landscape of the North Cascades for centuries, from when the first native people
searched for trading routes through the crest to the colorful parade of miners, log-
gers, hikers, fire lookouts, climbers, rangers and dam workers that followed. Nestled
at the foot of Sourdough Mountain, our Learning Center is the latest venue in the
Upper Skagit for intimate gatherings of Northwest artists, writers, naturalists and
historians to share their own stories from the region.
Each Sourdough Speaker Series engagement begins Saturday around sunset
with wine and hors d’œuvres on the deck of our lakeside dining hall before moving
inside for an informal gourmet dinner of local and organic foods prepared by our
renowned kitchen staff. A presentation by our guest speaker will follow, with ample
time for questions, discussion and getting acquainted with others. Following Sunday
morning’s coffee and breakfast, we’ll offer an optional activity designed to get you
outdoors, exploring the Learning Center’s neighborhood.
Your ticket includes two meals, a one-of-a-kind presentation and overnight accom-
modations in our comfortable guest lodges, as well as access to the Wild Ginger
Library, our trail system and after-hours lounges. Dress is casual, of course. Your
ticket confirmation will include travel directions, check-in information and other
details. Attendance is limited to 40 guests; $95 per person for each event.
In the Company of Tony Angell Tony Angell, artist
(Sat–Sun)
Tony Angell’s remarkable sculptures celebrate nature in its many
forms and can be seen in public places throughout the Northwest—
the ravens guarding the entrance to the Mt. Baker Ski Area are a
local favorite—as well as in prominent public and private collections.
He is the illustrator of many books beloved by Northwest naturalists
including In the Company of Crows and Ravens, written with John
Marzluff and awarded a Washington State Book Award in 2006, and
the classic field guide Marine Birds and Mammals of Puget Sound.
Tony has served as a board member of Washington’s chapter of the
Nature Conservancy, is an elected Fellow of the National Sculpture
Society and retired in 2002 as Director of Environmental Education for
the state of Washington after 30 years. He is a longtime supporter of
North Cascades Institute as well as other nonprofits that work to con-
serve Northwest environments.
“My art is intended to be my aesthetic invitation to a broad audi-
ence,” Tony said. “My hope is that, through art, they will discover and
cherish the living systems of this special place — from the Cascade
watersheds to the open waters of Puget Sound.”
During this special evening, Tony will share images and stories of a
lifetime spent bringing people closer to nature through art.
“The setting and
the campus were
beautiful and the
other attendees
were so congenial.
Sourdough Speaker
gatherings offer a
relaxed, welcoming
atmosphere created
by the staff, the
delicious, healthy
food and, of course,
last weekend’s
perfect weather.”
l FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/SPEAKERSERIES OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x209www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
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A Woman Lured West: Abby Hill’s legacy of art and conservationAndrea Moody, consulting curator, Abby Williams Hill
Collection; Molly Hashimoto, artist
(Sat–Sun)
Lured by a marketing campaign promoting the Northwest’s epic
landscapes and mountain scenery, Abby Williams Hill arrived
in Washington with her husband about the time the remote
territory became a state. Driven by an artistic desire to capture
the largely unknown landscapes, Hill rejected the conventional
expectations of women of her generation and went on to estab-
lish herself as a preeminent and widely exhibited landscape
painter. Along the way, she spent a good deal of her life in the
wilderness, raising and educating four children and working for
educational reform. She was a popular artist for promotional
railway commissions and, thanks to a special agreement, Hill
was able to retain much of the work she created. Today, the
intact collection resides at the University of Puget Sound where
it is curated and interpreted by art historian Andrea Moody.
Andrea will share the images and stories of this remarkable
woman. She will be joined by Molly Hashimoto, a popular
Institute instructor and artist with a passion for Hill’s work and
for her place in the history of the Northwest art and culture.
The Skagit River Dams: A story of water, rock and human imagination Jesse Kennedy, North Cascades National Park Archives
(Sat–Sun)
The three dams on the Skagit River—Gorge, Diablo and Ross—
generate about 17 percent of the electrical power consumed in Seattle
but, remote and inaccessible, they remain a mystery to many of
us. Planning for the dams began in the early 1900s, climaxed with
the completion of Ross in 1961 and continues even today. As one
historian noted, during those decades “the project had to overcome
competition, politics, international diplomacy, the weather and the
mountains themselves.” This massive hydroelectric project is inexo-
rably linked to the cultural history of the Skagit Valley and the North
Cascades and is rich with intertwined tales of visionaries, nature and
feats of engineering. Interpreting this history in story and rare achival
photos will be Jesse Kennedy, chief of Cultural Resource Management
for North Cascades National Park, who will be joined by Seattle City
Light experts who can answer most any esoteric question you may
have about dams and how they work. As a special bonus, we are
working with SCL to arrange a special Sunday-morning cruise aboard
the 50-foot Alice Ross III to see Ross and Diablo dams up close and
imagine, if concrete could talk, the stories they have to tell. (Optional
boat tour is pending and requires additional fee.)
AN EVENING WITH GARY SNYDERMAY 27, BENAROYA HALL, SEATTLE Join Seattle Arts & Lectures and North Cascades Institute in welcoming Gary
Snyder back to the Pacific Northwest for a very special engagement at Benaroya
Hall. Snyder is the author of several volumes of poetry, including Turtle Island,
Mountains and Rivers Without End and Danger on Peaks, and collections of
essays like The Practice of the Wild, A Place in Space and Back on the Fire. This
year marks the 50th anniversary of his landmark compendium of mountain
poetry, Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems. Snyder served as a fire lookout on
Sourdough and Crater mountains in the North Cascades during the summers of
1952-53, writing some of his most inspired verse on a ridge high above North
Cascades Environmental Learning Center. Join the Institute in giving Snyder a
warm welcome back to his old stomping grounds in Washington State!
l TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.LECTURES.ORG/BOXOFFICE OR (206) 621-2230 ext.10.
CAN’T MAKE IT TO SEATTLE? JOIN US FOR “BEATS ON THE PEAKS” AUG 13–16 (PG. 29) OR “SOURDOUGH MOUNTAIN CELEBRATION” AUG 27–30 (PG. 31)!
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pages, North Cascade Institute offers two
distinct routes for you to explore and interact with the natural and cultural history
of the Pacific Northwest.
One pathway leads to the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, our
field campus on the shores of Diablo Lake in the heart of the North Cascades.
When you sign up for a program at the Learning Center, you are purchasing
more than a world-class educational experience. Along with hands-on instruction
from the Pacific Northwest’s finest artists, scientists, naturalists and writers, most
Learning Center programs include accommodations in one of our comfortable
ADA-accessible lodges, delicious, fresh and healthful meals served in our lakeside
dining hall, access to multimedia classrooms, the amphitheater and Wild Ginger
Library, intimate proximity to Diablo Lake, trails leading into the national park
and secluded shelters in nearby woodlands and personalized attention from our
dynamic staff of naturalists and educators. Considering the combined value of
instruction, content, lodging, meals and Learning Center amenities, our programs
are easily one of the greatest getaway deals in the Pacific Northwest!
Sign up for a Learning Center program–Diablo Downtime, adult seminars
and retreats, Sourdough Speaker Series, Family Getaways and more–and find out
why the Seattle Times, after visiting us in the summer of 2008, wrote “What in the
name of Eden had we stumbled upon?”
The other pathway winds throughout Washington State, from Seattle to the
Skagit Valley to Mount Baker to the Columbia Plateau, from mountaintops to
riverbanks to city streets. Field Excursions
explore the diversity of ecosystems and
communities that exist in our corner of
the planet in ways both educational and
entertaining. Register for a kayaking trip,
a backcountry hike, a visual art excursion,
a farm tour or a stroll through urban
woodlands and let the Institute and our
instructors–each a leader in their respec-
tive field–lead you to a deeper appreciation
of the Pacific Northwest.
Whether you choose a Field
Excursion, a Learning Center program
or both, we hope you’ll join us in 2009
to strengthen your connections with the
land, people and communities of this
amazing place we are so lucky to call
home. By choosing to explore your own
backyard this year, you’ll not only benefit
the environment and your budget, you’ll
be giving yourself the gift of connection,
community and hope for the future.
L E A R N I N G C E N T E RP R O G R A M S A N D F I E L D E X C U R S I O N S
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Explore the side canyons of Ross Lake on the Mule, July 9–12 or Aug 13–16
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x209www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
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Booklovers Weekend with
Nancy Pearl
Nancy Pearl, Christina Claassen
and Institute Naturalists
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging &
7 meals
$355 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
The Northwest has a reputation
as being one of the most liter-
ary or “bookish” regions in the
country. Some say it’s because
of our winters, when short days
and long stretches of drizzle
inspire many to stay inside with a
good read. Celebrate the dawn of
spring by emerging from hiberna-
tion to join Nancy at the Learning
Center for a celebration of all
things books. Nancy will share
selections from her popular series
Book Lust and open up pathways
to new books and authors of the
Pacific Northwest. Together with
Christina, our talented librarian,
we’ll get in touch with our inner
bookworms while enjoying a
weekend of reading, discussion
and inspiration with plenty of
time to stretch your legs on the
greening trails.
“Sunflower Bee.” Make block prints with Ruthy Porter, April 17–19
l ON THE WEB: WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/GET_OUTSIDE
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A Sense of Place: Writing About
the Outdoors Nick O’Connell
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging & 7 meals
$355 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Writing is an abstract art, relying on
tiny black symbols against a white
background to re-create the physical
world in all of its color and complexity.
How can writers conjure a sense of a
place in their work? This workshop will
teach you how to make a place come
alive through the use of specific imag-
ery, concrete language, dramatic scene
and point of view to bring the reader
into the world you’re describing. We’ll
read travel and nature writing from
Paul Theroux, Edward Abbey, Brenda
Peterson and George Orwell and
discuss how these authors manage to
capture a sense of place in their work.
Through free writing, short exercises
and discussion, writers will complete
a short story of their own evoking a
strong sense of place. Nick O’Connell
is the author of On Sacred Ground:
The Spirit of Place in Pacific Northwest
Literature and At the Field’s End:
Interviews with 22 Pacific Northwest
Writers. Learn more about his work at
www.thewritersworkshop.net.
L E A R N I N G C E N T E R R E G I S T R AT I O N I N F O
Simple Elegance: Block Printing
in the North Cascades Ruthy Porter
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging & 7 meals
$295 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Emerging wildflowers, towering ever-
greens and jagged Cascade peaks
reflected in cool, rippling waters inspire
awesome works of art. Join us in an
amazing setting and try your hand at
the classic and elegant medium of block
printing with Ruthy, a graphic designer
and environmental educator. You’ll learn
about materials—we’ll use Safety-Cut
blocks, which cut like butter—as well as
pre-drawing planning and the consid-
eration of subject matter, composition,
technique, values and reverse images.
Ruthy will also address the challenge of
capturing the essence—or “is-ness”—of
your subject. On the first day, you’ll
carve and print one simple miniature
block to get the feel of the tools and
the process. During the next two days,
you’ll explore the site in search of
intriguing subjects, cut two card-size
blocks and experiment with printing on
various papers. Materials and tools will
be provided and you’ll go home with
everything you need to pursue your
newfound passion!
If you’ve never attended an
Institute adult program, you may be
eligible for a first-timers discount!
See page 36 for complete details.
Classes at the Learning Center
offer several enrollment options,
and pricing varies according to
sleeping arrangements. The campus
includes 23 rooms in three guest
lodges, each with one twin bed and
a set of twin bunk beds. Depending
on availability, you may choose one
of the following:
The standard price listed is
per person, sharing a room with
one other person. Triple occupancy
is sharing a room with two other
people. This may require use of an
upper bunk, accessible by an easy-
to-climb ladder. Single occupancy is
for a room for one person.
Shared occupancy is assigned
on a gender-specific basis unless a
particular roommate(s) is requested
at time of registration. Single
occupancy is limited and offered
on a space-available basis. If you
register for triple occupancy, please
be prepared to use the top bunk,
even though you might not be
required to.
All Learning Center classes
include meals prepared by our
kitchen staff and feature local and
organic foods. To learn more about
accommodations, visit
www.ncascades.org/learning_center .
Prices listed next to Field
Excursions are per person.
Participants in Field Excursions are
responsible for their own food and
lodging unless otherwise specified
in the course description.
To make programs available to a
wide audience, we have scholarship
funds available. Many Learning
Center classes are offered for option-
al academic credit through Western
Washington University and/or teach-
er clock hour certification approved
by the Office of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction. See page 36
for complete details.
ON THE WEB: WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/GET_OUTSIDE k
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The Secret Life of Lichens
Katherine Glew
(Fri eve–Sun)
15 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging &
6 meals
$295 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Crustose, fruticose, foliose, squa-
mulose, thallus, medulla, apoth-
ecia—lichens are so unique that
they require their own special
vocabulary. True cooperators that
can be composed of members of
three different kingdoms, these
amazing organisms exist in plac-
es where other things can’t sur-
vive, like on arctic soil, building
stones or window glass. Lichens
are also becoming a valuable key
to unlocking mysteries of natural
history, providing time-clues for
geologic events, markers for mea-
suring air quality and displaying
the ability to repel insects. With
Katherine, a lichenologist, educa-
tor and researcher, we’ll learn
lichen ecology and identification
while discovering their economic
and social uses and the vital
roles they play in nutrient- and
mineral-cycling.
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2009
Duwamish River
Kayak Excursion
Cindy Updegrave and
Alki Kayak Tours
(Sat) 6
Seattle $160 includes box lunch,
kayak instruction & equipment
Emptying into Elliot Bay
south of downtown Seattle,
the Duwamish River is like a
historical document. Reading it
reveals a history of ice sheets,
earthquakes, lahars from Mt.
Rainier and thousands of years
of human occupation. Existing
simultaneously as both sacred
land and a Superfund site, the
river holds tales from the past
and promises for the future.
Come groundtruth its stories as
we explore the river by kayak,
talking with members of the
Duwamish tribe, examining
evidence of the Seattle fault,
observing restoration sites and
experiencing the waterway from
a rarely seen vantage point.
Alki Kayak Tours will provide
boats and keep us safe on the
water while Cindy, a University
of Washington ecologist, will be
the river’s interpreter on this
journey through restoration.
Colors and Calls: Birding
By Ear and Eye Libby Mills
(Sat–Sun) 12
Bellingham area $165 includes box
lunches & van transportation
As spring comes to Washington,
our location on the Pacific
Coast flyway provides a view
of feathered migrants arriving
on the wave of warmer weather
and longer days. Join Libby, who
has spent her life observing and
recording bird life across the
Americas, as she teaches us how
to identify different bird lan-
guages, including the distinctions
between the mating and territorial
songs that are so abundant in
the spring. Traveling as a group,
we’ll tune in to the rich breeding-
season display of song and plum-
age, using our senses to catch
glimpses of species arriving to
nest in the area as well as those
on their way to breeding grounds
in the north. We’ll spend one day
exploring shorelines looking and
listening for shore and water birds
and another in the hills searching
for forest- and mountain-dwelling
bird life of higher ground.
Participants are responsible for
lodging Saturday night.
Hands to Work: Learning Center
Stewardship Weekend
Mike Brondi and Staff Naturalists
(Fri eve–Sun) 15
Learning Center 2 nights lodging & 6 meals
$120 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$40 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$80 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
During the months following the construc-
tion of the Learning Center, dozens of vol-
unteer Plant Stewards helped the Institute
hand-plant more than 22,000 native shrubs
and trees throughout the campus in an
effort to rehabilitate the long-used site. Four
years later, those plants are doing better
than we ever imagined. This spring, we’re
hosting a special gathering to express grati-
tude to the hands that put all of those vine
maples and Oregon grapes in the ground,
and offering new stewards the opportunity
to form a relationship to this piece of earth
by giving back to it. Join Mike, National Park
Service staff and Institute naturalists as we
tend to our native flora and the habitat sur-
rounding the Learning Center. There will be
projects for all abilities and interests, from
thinning, weeding and trail maintenance
to cataloging projects in the Wild Ginger
Library. Your hard work will be rewarded
when our talented kitchen crew serves up
delicious, locally grown meals and local
experts share evening presentations and
campfire discussions.
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Landscape and Lens:
Photographing the North
Cascades Brett Baunton
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging
& 7 meals
$385 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Rivers and ridges, blossoms
and buttes, summits and sky—
refine your skills in transform-
ing the beauty of our planet into
pixilated masterpieces. Learn
photography field techniques,
composition tips and digital-
processing strategies from an
award-winning photographer.
Brett will introduce you to the
North Cascades’ high country,
including sojourns to the alpine
realms of Rainy and Washington
passes. Over the weekend, in
an inspirational setting and
with a group small enough to
provide for one-on-one interac-
tions, you’ll share your work for
friendly feedback and experi-
ment with digital processing.
Open to all skill levels, but
a digital camera capable of
manual operation is required,
SLR preferred.
Wild Whatcom: The
Nature of Bellingham I
Megan McGinty
(Sun) 10 am–noon
Bellingham Marine Life Center $10
Nestled between Puget Sound
and Mt. Baker, Bellingham’s
charm is defined by its geogra-
phy. Easy access to urban green
spaces, wildlife and shorelines
are often touted as what makes
Bellingham a great place to live.
But how much do you really
know about the rich natural and
cultural history of the area? Join
the Institute for an illuminat-
ing stroll through the city with
a personable field naturalist.
Our specially priced excursion
begins and ends on the banks of
Whatcom Creek, the resurgent
pulse that courses through
Bellingham’s past, present and
future. Together, we’ll unbraid
the many stories the creek keeps
and learn about its major charac-
ters. Salmon running under side-
walks, falcons hunting overhead,
Chuckanut sandstone supporting
downtown buildings—the very
streets will come alive when
you begin to look at them with a
naturalist’s eye!
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Spring Birding Weekend: Neo-Tropical Migrants
Jim Alt, Libby Mills and Kent Woodruff
(Fri eve–Sun) 15 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging & 6 meals
$295 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY $80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Join us in the mountains for our third annual Spring Birding
Weekend and gain deeper awareness of those wonderful creatures
that bring beauty and song to our days. Led by skilled birders and
all-around naturalists, we’ll investigate forests, meadows and
meandering streams in the Methow and Skagit valleys. Because of
the gradient of rain from rainforest to shrub-steppe, these two val-
leys have great habitat and species diversity. Heading east to pon-
derosa pine forests, we may observe fire-dependant woodpeckers,
admire the cerulean blue of the lazuli buntings or hear the ethereal
flutings of veery and other thrushes. West, among the wetlands and
pastures of the Upper Skagit, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for
songbirds, raptors and waterfowl seeking refuge in the wild lands
of the North Cascades. Each day, we’ll divide into instructor-led
groups with our attention directed at not only what birds we see but
also why and how they came to be in the Northwest. All skill levels
are welcome; plenty of binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides
will be on hand.
As an added bonus, Paul Bannick, author of the acclaimed
new book The Owl and the Woodpecker, will join us to present his
stunning photography and inspiring narratives from the field as
he studied these two families and how they define the habitats
they inhabit.
For those who would like more time in the field, join our
instructors to warm up your birding skills where the forest meets
the Skagit and Sauk rivers at Howard Miller Steelhead County
Park from 10 am-2 pm Friday before the Spring Birding Weekend
officially gets underway.
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San Juan Islands
Botany Excursion
Thor Hanson
(Fri eve–Sun)
15 /1CP
San Juan Island $195
includes group campsite fee
The geographical location
of the San Juan Islands cre-
ates a complex of unusual
habitats unique to our state.
Subject to all the famous
moisture of the Pacific
Northwest, yet tucked
behind the rainshadow of
the Olympic Mountains, the
archipelago holds remnant
prairies, dry oak wood-
lands, coniferous forests
and tidal and freshwater
plant communities. Such
a wide range of variances
in a relatively small area
presents us an outstand-
ing opportunity to study
a bewildering diversity of
vegetation, including spe-
cies rarely found elsewhere
west of the Cascades. We’ll
camp together in San Juan
County Park, or participants
can opt to find their own
lodging on the island.
The North Cascades in
Plein Air Watercolor
Molly Hashimoto
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging
& 7 meals
$355 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Towering above the Learning
Center, the banded gneiss
monoliths of Colonial and
Pyramid peaks cradle snow-
fields and reflect light. With
Molly as our mentor, we’ll begin
our weekend modeling their
forms in watercolor before
traveling to the sunny side of
the crest to paint the soaring
granite walls of Liberty Bell and
the Early Winters spires. Back
at the Learning Center, we’ll
spend evenings refining our
plein air work in a supportive
community of artists both new
and experienced. A highlight
of the weekend will be Molly’s
slideshow presentation on her
recent research of historic paint-
ers in the national parks. Learn
about the connections between
art and conservation while exer-
cising your own creativity.
Greening Your Garden
Dave Sansone
(Fri eve–Sun) 15 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights
lodging & 6 meals
$325 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Growing your own food is a
great way to reduce the impact
of your ecological footprint,
increase your food security
and connect with the nature in
your own neighborhood. Home
gardens can be more produc-
tive, nutritious and sustainable
by following nature’s lessons
and using locally adapted plant
varieties and animals. Together
we’ll tour three ecologically
designed gardens in the Upper
Skagit that will inspire and
inform gardeners of all skill lev-
els. Learn about the sustainable
cultivation of veggies, fruits,
berries, perennial salad greens,
rare and superfood plants,
medicinal herbs, chickens,
ducks and goats. Whether you
are planning your first garden or
are a certified master gardener,
you’ll be able to create a food-
shed out your own backdoor.
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Beats: The Rhythmic
Experience of the North
Cascades
Keenan Webster
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging
& 7 meals
$325 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
“In these mountains, the
Earth’s rhythm is strong,”
observed National Park Service
geologist Jon Riedel. Celebrate
the passion of music at the
crossroads where drumbeats
meet the peaks of the Beat
poets. Join multi-instrumen-
talist Keenan as he weaves
roots music with innovative
artistry and compassion at the
Learning Center. Together we’ll
create a diverse and vibrant
musical experience inspired
by jazz improvisation as
Keenan guides us through the
fundamentals of West African
drums, balafon and Afro-Cuban
drumming. Your weekend will
embody the gifts one seeks
in making music: clarity,
connection, spirituality and
inspiration.
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Methow Migrations:
Spring Birding
Libby Mills
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Methow Valley $195 includes
group campsite fee
Explore wetlands, sage-
lands and the meandering
Methow River while seeking
the melody and color of
the avian world east of the
Cascade Crest. As breeding
birds fledge their young,
we’ll investigate their hid-
den haunts and identify
a broad range of species
and their corresponding
birdsong. During breaks,
we’ll discuss adaptations,
habitat requirements and
the challenges migratory
birds face traveling across
continents. We’ll camp
together at Pearrygin Lake
State Park near Winthrop
and spend our days poking
around the Methow Valley.
Don’t miss this relaxing
summer weekend excursion
with one of the Northwest’s
most knowledgeable and
fun-loving birders. All levels
welcome!
Grant Writing in the
North Cascades
Eric Chambers
(Sun
eve–Thurs) 30 /1CP
Learning Center 4 nights
lodging & 13 meals
$595 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$100 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$180 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Part science and part
art, successful grant writ-
ing requires a generous
helping of passion, an
abundance of ingenuity and
knowledge of how to get
from “Application Available
Here” to “Congratulations on
Receiving Funding!” During
these uncertain economic
times, nonprofit organiza-
tions must work harder and
smarter to sustain worthy
programs and fund new
ones. Our interactive five-day
Grant Writing Workshop will
teach you the skills you need
to write and submit competi-
tive grant proposals. Led by
Eric, a Northwest Educational
Service District development
officer, we’ll spend four
Wild Whatcom: The Nature of Bellingham II
Megan McGinty
(Sun) 10–noon
Bellingham Marine Life Center $10
Nestled between Puget Sound and Mt. Baker, Bellingham’s charm is
defined by its geography. Easy access to urban green spaces, wildlife
and shorelines are often touted as what makes Bellingham, named
one of the “Best Outside Towns” by Outside Magazine, a great place
to live. But how much do you really know about the rich natural and
cultural history of the area? Join the Institute for an illuminating stroll
through the city with a personable field naturalist, visiting with local
experts and historians along the way. Our specially priced excursion
begins and ends on the banks of Whatcom Creek, the resurgent
pulse that courses through Bellingham’s past, present and future.
Together, we’ll unbraid the many stories the creek keeps and learn
about its major characters: fish, humans, hatcheries, birds, urban
living, art, commerce, fire and restoration. Salmon running under
sidewalks, falcons hunting overhead, Chuckanut sandstone support-
ing downtown buildings—the very streets will come alive when you
begin to look at them with a naturalist’s eye!
Field Sketching at
Deception Pass
Libby Mills
(Sun) 6
Deception Pass $95 includes
box lunch
Dramatic cliffs rising from the
sea. Tidepools teeming with
marine life. Seabirds in the air
and on the water. Windswept
grass bluffs. Gnarled shore
pines sculpted by storm. We’ll
find plenty of natural subjects
to study and sketch as master
naturalist and artist Libby
leads us on a plein air journey
through Deception Pass State
Park. Throughout the day, she’ll
introduce us to basic sketching
techniques—demonstrating how
pencils can make manifest the
play of light and shadows on
the landscape—as well as valu-
able tips for working outside in
the elements.
days and nights at the Learning
Center, drawing inspiration from
your dramatic wilderness sur-
roundings and enjoying fresh
and delicious meals in the Wild
Ginger dining hall.
Working in small groups
with plenty of personal coach-
ing, you’ll master four areas of
grantsmanship:
Session One: Program Planning
and Evaluation.
Session Two: Grant Writing
Fundamentals.
Session Three: Grant Research.
Session Four: Advanced Writing
Techniques. Held one month
after the first three sessions at
a different location, this follow-
up will give you an opportunity
to reflect upon and expand the
skills developed during the first
three sessions.
In addition to sharpening
your grant-writing skills, you’ll
enjoy plenty of down time to
explore your surroundings and
learn from Institute naturalists
about this hidden gem in the
North Cascades. You’ll return
home inspired, energized and
ready to save the world!
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Ross Lake By Boat and Boot: People and Places of
the Upper Skagit Gerry Cook and Bob Mierendorf
(Thu eve–Sun) 21 /1CP
Learning Center/Ross Lake $255 includes 1 night shared lodging & 3
meals at Learning Center, boat transportation and trailhead shuttle
Experience the wilderness setting of Ross Lake, a fjord-like jewel
in the international Upper Skagit River valley, and learn about the
cultural history that has crisscrossed this remote terrain for eons.
From a comfortable perch onboard the Ross Mule, at our lakeside
camp and on hiking trails, you will hear vivid accounts about
the ice age geology and 10,000 years of indigenous presence,
hardscrabble explorers, miners, dam builders, fire lookouts and
even Beat poets. With more than 60 years of National Park Service
employment between them, Gerry and Bob share a treasure trove
of local knowledge and intimacy with the North Cascades. The
generosity with which they impart their wisdom will make this a
backcountry adventure you’ll never forget.
We’ll get acquainted over dinner at the Learning Center
Thursday night before boarding the Ross Mule Friday morn-
ing, an open-decked boat helmed by Captain Cook. Camping
at Lightning Creek at the foot of storied Desolation Peak,
our group will share meals, campfires and starry night skies
unmarred by city lights. We’ll spend our days exploring fern-
draped canyons, balmy meadows and spirited waterfalls,
taking time for botanical forays, exploration of archaeological
sites and swims in the lake. Sunday will include an eight-mile
hike over gentle terrain to witness the immense, centuries-old
cedars along Big Beaver Creek.
Participants must provide their own equipment and food for
the camping portion of this trip and be able to carry personal
gear one mile down a steep trail to the boat dock Friday and
back up Sunday. Tuition includes boat transportation and
shuttle to and from the Ross Dam Trailhead.
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Family Backpacking Adventure I: Ross Lake
Adam Russell and Institute Naturalists
(Thu eve–Sun)
Learning Center $245 per adult, $170 per child includes 1 night shared
lodging & 3 meals at Learning Center and trailhead shuttle
Does taking the family on a backpacking adventure sound exciting,
but also challenging? Let our Learning Center naturalists take care
of the logistics to get you and your family in to the North Cascades
backcountry! Together, we’ll meet with park rangers for an orientation
to the landscape, learn about safety, Leave No Trace techniques and
camping skills and generate excitement for the natural world as we
hike through deep forests and across rushing glacier-fed rivers. Your
family will spend Thursday evening at the Learning Center meeting
fellow hikers over a meal. Come Friday morn, we’ll strap on our packs
and head out for three days and two nights of education and adven-
ture in the world-class terrain of Ross Lake. Along the way, your guides
will share stories from the mountains, making the natural and cultural
history of this place come alive in the imagination of your youngsters.
Skagit Valley Farm Tour I:
First Fruit
Charles Claassen and
Institute Staff
(Sun) 6
Skagit Valley $95 includes box
lunch & transportation
An interest in “farm-to-table”
shopping, cooking and eating is
on the rise—we’re all hungry for
fresher, healthier food and want
to know more about who grows
it and where. This excursion will
introduce you personally to the
Skagit Valley’s leading small
farmers and provide a behind-
the-scenes look at the practices
that sustain their operations.
Past trips have included a visit
to a farmer growing a bounty of
lush vegetables using remark-
ably little water, a tour of a
100-year-old family farm and an
introduction to a shellfish farm
nestled on the shores of Samish
Bay. We’ll stop for lunch and
enjoy a menu of fresh foods har-
vested from the farms we visited.
Don’t worry: we’ll taste samples
along the way, too! Your guide
for the day will be Chef Charles,
head of the Learning Center’s
culinary operations.
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Nature Journaling with Jocelyn Curry:
Create a handcrafted art journal and fill its pages with drawings and
nature notes using pen, ink, watercolor and light collage. We’ll learn
several handy bookbinding skills, decorative techniques, basic page
design and lettering tips. Jocelyn will also share sketching and water-
color methods handy for on-the-go use as we take special excursions
for field studies in the Learning Center’s wild neighborhood.
Watercolor with Molly Hashimoto:
Learn the basics of watercolor painting from choosing the paper,
brushes and paint that are right for you to plein air techniques for
trailside work. Emphasizing outdoor practice, we’ll focus on the
summertime landscape—sun-dappled forests, Diablo Lake’s emerald
green waters and rocky ridgelines shedding their snowy winter
coats. Beginners and veterans alike will enjoy Molly’s graceful bal-
ance of mentorship and independent work.
Silk Painting with Kristen Gilje:
Come and play with luxurious silk and beautiful bright dyes to make
colorful scarves or wall hangings. The techniques are easy to learn
and fun to practice. We’ll employ simple painting techniques, as
well as wax and gutta resists and salt, alcohol and other texturing
agents. Walks in the forest and along the lakeshore will provide
inspiration for color and design and you’ll leave the Learning Center
with at least three painted scarves.
Although participants must choose an area of emphasis, instructors
will offer short, communal workshops too. In addition to top-notch
instruction, the Diablo Creative Arts Retreat also offers comfortable
lodging, delicious and healthful meals, recreational opportunities
and interesting evening presentations. During your free time, you can
paddle a canoe, hike to a nearby waterfall or simply soak up the scen-
ery with a new friend. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, this retreat
will rejuvenate your spirit.
Art Afield: Diablo
Creative Arts Retreat
Molly Hashimoto, Jocelyn
Curry and Kristen Gilje
(Thu–Sun) 24 /1CP
Learning Center 3 nights lodging &
10 meals
$385 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$120 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$240 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
In the heart of the Cascadian sum-
mer, renew your artistic inspira-
tion at our fifth annual retreat for
aspiring and experienced artists.
Gather together with a community
of creative minds at our inspiring
lakeside getaway in North Cascades
National Park. With grand views
of Diablo Lake and Colonial and
Pyramid peaks, our campus offers
many inspiring vistas as well as
ready access to Thunder Creek’s
deep green woods, the wildflower
meadows and pink granite spires
of Washington Pass, and the tawny
fields and pine forests of the upper
Methow.
Upon registration, you’ll choose
one instructor and her area of
concentration for the duration of
the retreat (group sizes are limited;
all skill levels welcome). This year’s
options include:
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Skagit Valley Farm Tour II:
Summer’s Table
Charles Claassen and
Institute Staff
(Sun) 6
Skagit Valley $95 includes box
lunch & transportation
An interest in “farm-to-table”
shopping, cooking and eating is
on the rise—we’re all hungry for
fresher, healthier food and want
to know more about who grows
it and where. This excursion will
introduce you personally to the
Skagit Valley’s leading small
farmers and provide a behind-
the-scenes look at the practices
that sustain their operations.
Past trips have included a visit
to a farmer growing a bounty of
lush vegetables using remark-
ably little water, a tour of a
100-year-old family farm and an
introduction to a shellfish farm
nestled on the shores of Samish
Bay. We’ll stop for lunch and
enjoy a menu of fresh foods har-
vested from the farms we visited.
Don’t worry: we’ll taste samples
along the way, too! Your guide
for the day will be Chef Charles,
head of the Learning Center’s
culinary operations.
Wildflowers of Mt. Baker I: High Divide
Shelley Weisberg
(Sun) 6
Mt. Baker area $95 includes box lunch
Geology of Mt. Baker I:
Lake Ann
Dave Tucker and Megan McGinty
(Sat) 6
Mt. Baker/Lake Ann $95 includes
box lunch
Explore 225 million years of
geologic history on a hike
along the Shuksan Arm through
old-growth forest and beautiful
alpine meadows. We’ll pass
beneath a collonaded lava flow
that erupted from one of Mt.
Baker’s predecessor volcanoes,
examine intrusive dikes, wit-
ness folded metamorphic rocks
deposited as sea-floor sediment
and touch the contact zone of
one of the youngest granite bod-
ies in the Cascades. Meandering
across the margin of the one-
million-year-old Kulshan cal-
dera, we’ll search for rocks left
behind from the hot ash flows
that emerged from an ancient
catastrophic eruption. All the
while, Mt. Shuksan’s rumbling,
tumbling Curtis Glacier will
tower above us as we explore
the glacially sculpted basin at
Lake Ann. Round-trip distance
is eight miles, with 1,700 feet of
total elevation gain.
The Night Sky in the High
Desert Karl Schroeder
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Brooks Memorial State Park
$195 includes group camping fee &
admission to observatory
The night sky is an infinite
canvas painted with the ever-
changing moon, planets and
constellations. In the crisp
air of the high desert, far
from urban light pollution,
we’ll observe these and other
nighttime wonders. Guided
by an enthusiastic teacher
and former president of the
Seattle Astronomical Society,
we’ll learn to identify galaxies,
red giants, white dwarfs and
other celestial objects while
discussing their natural history
and sharing the stories that
people have told about them for
centuries. During the day, we’ll
learn about sundials, our solar
system and the Milky Way. A
highlight of the course will be a
visit to the Maryhill Stonehenge
replica and the Goldendale
Observatory to view the sky
through a 24.5-inch Cassegrain
telescope, one of the largest
public telescopes in the nation.
In the summertime, meadows
beneath the white-mantled
massif of Koma Kulshan are
beguilingly rich with wildflow-
ers, belying the true story of life
above the treeline. Plants found
in this fragile ecosystem have
developed unique strategies
for survival in this exceptionally
challenging habitat, adapting to
a short growing season, heavy
snows, arid summers, harsh
winds and dramatic fluctuations
in temperature. Join skilled field
botanist Shelley for a walk in
the high country surrounded
by spectacular peaks and
fragrant alpine meadows, and
investigate alpine habitats and
wildflower adaptation. Learn
the basics of alpine botany and
discover the habitat of your
favorite flowers. Expect to hike
six to seven miles round trip
with moderate elevation gain;
exact location will depend upon
access and snow levels.
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of our annual writing retreat
continues this summer at the confluence of four far-flung writers from the
Pacific Northwest gathering together to teach in the North Cascades. Rick Bass,
hailing from the Yaak Valley in remote northwestern Montana, is a master of
the short story form and renowned environmental nonfiction writer. Kathleen
Dean Moore composes essays rich with natural detail and philosophical
depths from her homebase in the Willamette Valley. Holly Hughes, who has
spent the past 28 summers working on southeast Alaskan waters, winters on
the Olympic Peninsula where she teaches and writes poetry and essays. Jim
Bertolino spent 14 years living on Guemes Island, 12 years teaching at Western
Washington University and now thrives near the woods east of Bellingham
writing poetry. Arriving from the near and far, Rick, Kathleen, Holly and Jim
represent one of our strongest writing teams yet!
The Thunder Arm Writing Retreat—so named for our location on Diablo
Lake near the mouth of Thunder Creek—takes place at our Learning Center in
North Cascades National Park, which has a distinct literary history of its own.
Our neighborhood includes Sourdough Mountain and Desolation Peak, where
writers Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouac served as fire lookouts during the 1950s.
From hardscrabble explorers and trail crew hands to Beat poets and park rang-
ers, the North Cascades have inspired many to put pen to paper.
Under the mentorship of four different writers with experiences in a wide
July
ELEVENTH ANNUAL
T H U N D E R A R M W R I T I N G R E T R E AT
Eleventh Annual Thunder
Arm Writing Retreat(Thurs–Sun)
24 /2CP
Learning Center 3 nights lodging &
10 meals
$495 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$120 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$240 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
diversity of genres, you’ll learn techniques
for crisp, powerful writing inspired by
nature. We strive for a nourishing, profes-
sional and noncompetitive atmosphere
in which student groups rotate through
instructors each day, enjoying a combina-
tion of presentations, discussions and
individual writing activities.
Throughout the weekend, our kitchen
staff will prepare delicious, nourishing
meals with local and organic ingredients,
and you’ll repair each night to comfortable
accommodations in our lodges. You’ll
also have ample time to enjoy our trails
or canoe on Diablo Lake, as well as quiet
moments to peruse our Wild Ginger
Library, filled with more than a thousand
different titles.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or
eager newcomer, we hope you’ll join us for
this unique literary mountain rendezvous!
James Berlotino
Rick Bass
Kathleen Dean Moore
Holly Hughes
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Explore the ancient geological story of Mt Baker, Aug 6–9
A U G U S T
Beats on the Peaks:
Lookout Poets and
Backcountry Tales on
Ross Lake
Gerry Cook and Jeff Muse
(Thur eve–Sun)
21 /1CP
Learning Center/Ross Lake $255
includes 1 night shared lodging & 3
meals at ELC, boat transportation &
trailhead shuttle
Venture up Ross Lake and hike
to the top of Desolation Peak
where Jack Kerouac penned
tales of his Cascadian adven-
ture in 1956. Led by a former
lookout and a book-toting
naturalist, we’ll gather at the
Learning Center Thursday to
share camaraderie. Friday, we’ll
board the open-decked Ross
Mule, the perfect floating venue
for backcountry storytelling
and adventurous scribbling.
Base camping for two nights
at Lightning Creek, we’ll hike
up to the Desolation Peak Fire
Lookout to share readings by
Kerouac and others who spent
time in these mountains. Don’t
miss this annual expedition
of books, rucksacks, campfire
tales and jaw-dropping views!
Easy Pass Backpack: Thunder Creek to Fisher Basin
Institute Naturalists
(Wed eve–Sun) 27
Learning Center $255 includes 1 night shared lodging & 3 meals at ELC & trailhead shuttle
Geology of Mt. Baker II:
Easton Glacier Backpack
Dave Tucker and Megan McGinty
(Thurs–Sun) 24 /2CP
Mt. Baker/Morovitz Meadows
$295
Welcome to Mt. Baker’s south-
west side, where igneous,
sedimentary and metamorphic
deposits abound and geologic
ages range from Precambrian
to the present. Join Dave and
Megan for an excursion focused
on the fascinating geology of Mt.
Baker. After a four-mile backpack
to our base camp near Easton
Glacier, we’ll explore evidence
of awe-inspiring geologic pro-
cesses, including cataclysmic
volcanic eruptions, gigantic
landslides and glacial dynamics.
We’ll explore the sharp crest
of the Railroad Grade moraine,
visit the Park Butte Lookout and
journey to a point overlooking
Baker’s dramatic Deming Glacier.
Learn about historic glacial
advances and recessions and see
the resulting landscape with your
own eyes. Beginners welcome,
but everyone is expected to be
reasonably fit and have basic
backpacking skills.
Wildflowers of Mt. Baker
II: Skyline Divide
Shelley Weisberg
(Sat) 6
Mt. Baker area $95 includes
box lunch
In the summertime, meadows
beneath the white-mantled
massif of Koma Kulshan are
beguilingly rich with wildflow-
ers, belying the true story of life
above the treeline. Plants found
in this fragile ecosystem have
developed unique strategies
for survival in this exceptionally
challenging habitat, adapting to
a short growing season, heavy
snows, arid summers, harsh
winds and dramatic fluctuations
in temperature. Join skilled field
botanist Shelley for a walk in
the high country surrounded
by spectacular peaks and
fragrant alpine meadows, and
investigate alpine habitats and
wildflower adaptation. Learn
the basics of alpine botany and
discover the habitat of your
favorite flowers. Expect to hike
six to seven miles round trip
with moderate elevation gain;
exact location will depend upon
access and snow levels.
Join our small, naturalist-led
backpacking group for a
memorable adventure in the
wild heart of North Cascades
National Park. After orienta-
tion at the Learning Center
Wednesday night, we’ll depart
for four days and three nights
camping beneath big trees and
starry skies. Together, we’ll
journey along Thunder Creek,
then head east under the flanks
of Mt. Logan, eventually reach-
ing the alpine wonderland of
remote Fisher Basin. Our trip
will pass through spectacular
old-growth forest as we follow
the most heavily glaciated
tributary in the Lower 48, and
we’ll search for wildflower
meadows, abandoned miner
cabins and animal tracks. When
we arrive at Easy Pass, eleva-
tion 6,524 feet, we’ll be greeted
by one of the most stunning
views anywhere in the country:
a panorama of glaciers, water-
falls and craggy peaks! This
late-summer sojourn into the
mountains, taken in good com-
pany and with an abundance
of storytelling and nature inter-
pretation, will be the trip of a
lifetime. Although beginners are
welcome to attend, participants
should be prepared for mod-
erately strenuous backpacking
(as many as eight miles per
day with 2,000-foot elevation
gains) and must provide their
own equipment and food for
Thursday through Sunday.
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Family Backpacking
Adventure II: Ross Lake
Adam Russell and Institute
Naturalists
(Wed eve–Sun)
Learning Center $265 per adult, $180
per child includes 1 night shared lodging
& 3 meals at Learning Center, boat
transportation and trailhead shuttle
Does taking the family on a back-
packing adventure sound exciting,
but also challenging? Let our
Learning Center naturalists take
care of the logistics to get you and
your family into the North Cascades
backcountry! Together, we’ll meet
with park rangers, learn about
safety, Leave No Trace techniques
and camping skills and generate
excitement for the natural world.
Your family will spend Wednesday
evening at the Learning Center
meeting fellow hikers over a meal.
Come Thursday morn, we’ll head
out for four days and three nights
of education and adventure as we
journey along the East Bank Trail of
Ross Lake. Your guides will share
stories from the mountains, making
this place come alive in the imagi-
nation of youngsters.
Northwest Naturalists Weekend
Ralph Haugerud, Dennis Paulson and Robert Micheal Pyle
(Thu eve–Sun) 21 /1CP
Learning Center 3 nights lodging & 6 meals
$385 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY $120 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$240 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Whether you are a novice to the natural world or a skilled natural-
ist, join the Institute in celebrating the 150th anniversary of Charles
Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, which introduced the theory of
evolution to the world, with a long weekend in the North Cascades
immersed in nature. We’ll provide you with tools you need to delve
into the “mystery of mysteries” that Darwin himself sought to unravel.
This annual retreat has been attracting eager learners from across
the country and our own backyard for more than two decades. Its
success is built on the expertise of remarkable naturalists and
this year’s team is one of our most exciting. Robert Michael Pyle,
who recently concluded his Butterfly Big Year in which he sought
out as many of the 800 species of butterflies in North America as
possible in one calendar year, has a passion for lepidoptera and
broad knowledge of native species and ecology. Ralph Haugerud,
co-author of Geology of the North Cascades: A Mountain Mosaic, is
a veteran researcher and skilled teacher with the U.S. Geological
Survey at the University of Washington. Dennis Paulson, one of the
most experienced biologists in the Northwest, will search lakesides,
wetlands and wildflower meadows for the diurnal “bats of the
skies”—dragonflies—while sharing his knowledge of birds, snakes
and large-scale ecosystem dynamics. Throughout the weekend, we’ll
divide into instructor-led groups to explore various topics in diverse
terrain. Possibilities include birds and butterflies of the Cascades,
wildflowers at Rainy Pass and the geologic history of the Pacific
Crest. Wherever we roam, you can count on spirited camaraderie and
plenty of mentorship on the use of field guides, hand lenses and
other equipment that will deepen your outdoors experiences.
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Mutual Destinies:
Human-Corvid Interactions
John Marzluff
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging &
7 meals
$325 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
A murder and unkindness are
more amicable than they might
seem when you find out that
a “murder” is a flock of crows
and an “unkindness” a flock of
ravens. These intriguing birds,
along with jays, magpies and
nutcrackers, comprise the corvid
family. The iridescence of their
black-blue plumage glimmers
with the mythology they embody
for many cultures across the
world. Visit Skagit forests, Methow
meadows and the passes in
between in search of the birds
in their various habitats. John,
professor of wildlife biology, will
be your guide, bringing to life
concepts from his book, In the
Company of Crows and Ravens.
Observe corvids’ personalities
firsthand and realize your part in
the “cultural co-evolution” corvids
and humans have long shared.
Geology of Mt. Baker III:
Ptarmigan Ridge
Dave Tucker and Lee Whitford
(Sat) 6
Ptarmigan Ridge $95 includes
box lunch
Experience time travel by foot
on the Ptarmigan Ridge trail
in Mt. Baker’s radiant late-
summer high country. Our field
excursion will begin above
treeline at Artist’s Point before
venturing out toward the sim-
mering, glaciated volcano.
Along the way, we’ll travel over
an ancient record of volcanism
as we traverse the one-million-
year-old Kulshan caldera, a cra-
ter that erupted cataclysmically
through the thick continental
ice sheet before the mountain
built itself from stacks of lava.
As we hike past lava domes,
we’ll lay hands on columnar
andesite that predates Mt.
Baker, discuss the origin of the
eroded table at Table Mountain
and examine layers of volcanic
ash preserved in the soil,
including the famous Mt.
Mazama layer. Our route can
be up to 10 miles round trip,
with minimal elevation gain.
Sourdough Mountain Celebration
Tim McNulty, Ron Dart and Jeff Muse
(Thu eve–Sun) 21 /1CP
Learning Center 3 nights lodging & 9 meals
$355 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY $120 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$240 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
This year marks the 50th anni-
versary of Gary Snyder’s land-
mark compendium of mountain
poetry, Riprap and Cold
Mountain Poems. Snyder served
as a fire lookout on Sourdough
Mountain during the summer
of 1953, writing some of his
most inspired verse on a ridge
high above North Cascades
Environmental Learning Center.
Many decades later, Snyder
and countless other Cascadian
scribes’ work have accumulated
to form a fascinating literary
history informed by rock, river
and rain.
Join three dynamic instructors
who are passionate about the
North Cascades for a long week-
end of exploration—both physi-
cal and cerebral—in the rugged
wildlands of the Learning Center
neighborhood. Tim, the author
of many volumes of poetry
and natural history, a tree-
planter and former Sourdough
Mountain fire lookout, will lead
writing workshops on local
trails covering nature poetry,
journaling and the art of atten-
tiveness. Joining us from British
Columbia, author, scholar and
professor Ron will introduce
us to the little-known legacy
of John Muir in the Cascades,
the spiritual interconnections
of the Beat Poets and Thomas
Merton and the vast wealth of
Canadian mountain literature.
Finally, former Learning Center
director and NPS backcountry
ranger Jeff will offer the piece de
resistance: an optional guided
hike up Sourdough Mountain to
the world-famous fire lookout
immortalized in Snyder’s poetry.
Throughout the weekend,
we’ll explore these storied
mountains, share campfire
readings and canoe trips and
eat, drink and be merry.
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Explore the natural and cultural history of the Skagit Delta and Fishtown, Sept 12
“Fishtown existed on the edge of the world. It was a wild place,
with hawks and owls, snow geese and salmon, herons, loons,
coyotes often sighted. They were the denizens, your neighbors.
They appear frequently in poems written there.” ~Robert SundS E P T E M B E R
Digital Outdoor Photography: Capturing the Cascades
Benj Drummond
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging & 7 meals
$385 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY $80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY $160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Shack Medicine: A
Fishtown Excursion
Institute Naturalists and
special guests
(Sat) 6
Lower Skagit Delta $95 includes
box lunch & canoe equipment
Among the brackish backwaters
of the Skagit delta in the 1960s
and 70s, a cultural oasis blos-
somed. A collection of writers,
artists, vagabonds and scholars
lived in a village of abandoned
fishermen’s shacks scattered
throughout the northern delta
of the Skagit River, a settlement
whose existence was always
dependent on permission from
the river. “Fishtown” — the name
used to refer to this region –
lives on in relics that still stand
today, as well as in the poetry,
pottery and paintings that
emerged from the creative com-
munity. Travelling in a giant voya-
geur canoe, we’ll seek out the
sloughs and shacks that inspired
painters and poets among
cat-tails and beaver dams,
investigate the ever-changing
topography of the delta and hear
stories of the characters and the
era they personified.
Forest Carnivores of the
North Cascades
Scott Fitkin and John Rohrer
(Fri eve–Sun) 15 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging
& 6 meals
$325 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
For the first time in nearly a
century, gray wolves have been
confirmed to have taken up
residence in Washington State.
Recently, a breeding pair of
wolverines was discovered miles
from the Learning Center, and
researchers are still searching
for signs of grizzly bear. Does
it sometimes seem the North
Cascades wilderness is getting
wilder? Come explore the haunts
of fascinating mountain carni-
vores and spend your weekend
with Scott and John, who have
been leading the research into
these elusive animals. We’ll learn
about their ecology and examine
a variety of habitats, take a
closer look at wolverine live traps
and check on the radio-collared
wolves to see if they are in the
neighborhood with the help of
radio-telemetry.
Constructive Capitalism:
Opportunities of
Sustainability
Casey Bates, Zac West, Jared
Silliker and Jessie Alan
(Fri eve–Sun) 15 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging
& 6 meals
$325 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Strengthen your organization by
learning the tools to help reduce
your environmental footprint,
create positive social impact and
strengthen financial performance.
We’re bringing together local sus-
tainability leaders for a weekend
workshop focused on sustainabil-
ity benchmarking, sustainability
implementation, forming and
managing a “Green Team,” energy
and waste reduction and green
marketing. This class is devel-
oped with the business owner
and organizational leader in mind,
but anybody with an interest in
and passion for creating a green,
sustainable future is invited. We
hope you’ll join us for a weekend
of brainstorming, strategizing,
problem-solving and networking
with likeminded leaders!
You’ve tried your hand at captur-
ing the true colors of translucent
autumn skies, but were you
able to get every hue? Have you
truly recorded the burgundy of
bog blueberry leaves, the gold
of slide alder, the fire in a vine
maple? Venture into deep forests
and up mountain passes with
accomplished photographer
Benj. With his technical skills
and knowledge of field tech-
niques, he’ll help you compose,
execute and process your pho-
tographs at a higher level. After
shooting in locations throughout
the North Cascades, we’ll return
to the Learning Center each day
to practice RAW file processing
and digital workflow in our
computer lab. Individual instruc-
tion time will be plentiful in this
intimate class, and you’ll learn
from your fellow photographers
in a friendly review of your best
work at the end of the weekend.
Open to all skill levels, but
a digital camera capable of
manual operation is required,
SLR preferred.
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Shades of Fall:
Arboretum Watercolor
Expedition
Maria Coryell-Martin
(Sat) 6
Seattle $115 includes box
lunch & pocket watercolor kit
Autumn color is an ephemeral
spectacle, and learning to
capture it requires attention
and skill. Under the tutelage
of expeditionary artist Maria
Coryell-Martin, this day trip
will venture into Seattle’s
Washington Park Arboretum
to experience fall in its full
glory and set about sketch-
ing what we see in pencil,
ink and watercolor media.
Each participant will receive
a pocket-sized watercolor
field set custom designed
for this trip. Maria will share
suggested palette choices
and unique approaches to
field sketching that she’s
gained from her experiences
painting around the world,
from Africa to Greenland to
Antarctica. Learn more about
Maria’s work at www.expedi-
tionaryart.com.
Seattle’s Wild Side:
Natural History in the
Streets David Williams
(Sat) 6
Seattle $95 includes box lunch &
van transportation
You don’t have to drive to the
Cascades to engage your con-
nection with the earth—even in
the heart of the Emerald City,
we are surrounded by nature.
Explore Seattle’s wild side
with David, author of Stories in
Stone: Travels in Urban Geology
and The Street-Smart Naturalist:
Field Notes from Seattle. With
humor, enthusiasm and sharp
observation skills, he’ll open
our eyes to the secrets previ-
ously hidden beneath the hustle
and bustle of the city. The day
will begin beneath the Magnolia
Bluff, the perfect spot for seeing
coastal geological processes.
We’ll then proceed along the
Duwamish River, where we’ll
read the record of Seattle’s most
active earthquake zone. Next
we’ll head to Pioneer Square to
start a two-mile-long transect to
investigate 330-million-year-old
fossils and see where mam-
moths once roamed.
Skagit Valley Harvest
Tour III: Upriver Bounty
Charles Claassen
(Sun) 6
Skagit Valley $95 includes box
lunch & van transportation
Salmon, kale, carrots, oysters,
pumpkins, wine, cheese,
spinach, corn, tomatoes, beer,
broccoli, raspberries, lamb,
blueberries, potatoes, beets,
apples, pears, plums, cabbage,
peas, beef, cucumbers, cau-
liflower and radishes, oh my!
There’s no doubt, the Skagit
Valley is a rich and bountiful
place and we’d like to introduce
you personally to the farmers
and producers who feed us. In
addition to exploring the prac-
tices and places that sustain
their healthful, holistic opera-
tions, our popular behind-the-
scenes tour samples the fruits
of the land. We’ll enjoy a lunch
menu of fresh foods harvested
from the farms we visit as well
as indulging in samples along
the way. Your guide for the day
will be Chef Charles, head of
the Learning Center’s culinary
program and coordinator of the
Institute’s FoodShed initiative.
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BILL DIETRICH won a Pulitizer Prize at the Seattle Times for
his coverage of the Exxon Valdez disaster, is the author of
The Final Forest: The Battle for the Last Great Trees of the
Pacific Northwest and is currently the faculty editor of The
Planet, Huxley College’s renowned environmental magazine.
ERIC DEPLACE, senior researcher at the Seattle-based
Sightline Institute, contributes research and writing for the
annual Cascadia Scorecard. He also writes for the Daily
Score blog and contributes to a number of other Sightline
projects, especially climate policy in the western states.
KAREN UFFELMAN, director of client strategy at ONE/
Northwest, works with environmental organizations to
engage their audiences through smart use of technology
and the development of valuable content. She consults on
both format and substance, and combines the best prac-
tices of relationship marketing, grassroots organizing, and
analysis of web and email statistics to help organizations
tell their stories effectively.
BENJAMIN DRUMMOND AND SARA JOY STEELE are working
on a long-term documentary project called Facing Climate
Change, which combines photographs, field audio and
writing to tell the story of global change through local
people. Their work has appeared in Orion, Mother Jones,
American Photo, National Geographic and the Seattle Post-
Intelligencer.
Join us for a weekend of active learning, networking and
brainstorming, where together we’ll share tools and build
connections, getting ready for the challenges and opportu-
nities that lie ahead.
Sit, Walk, Write: Nature
and the Practice of
Presence
Kurt Hoelting and Holly Hughes
(Fri–Sun) 18 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging
& 7 meals
$355 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY
$80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Experience a nourishing week-
end with meditation teacher
Kurt from the Zen tradition and
writer Holly. We’ll combine
meditation practice—both
moving and still—with time to
write and ponder the works
of several reflective authors.
We’ll start each day with sitting
meditation and Qi gong move-
ment, share poems and short
nature essays, and then put our
own thoughts into words fol-
lowing the freewriting practices
pioneered by Natalie Goldberg.
Outdoors, we’ll enjoy hiking,
meditation and gentle observa-
tions with Institute naturalists
as a way to deepen our con-
nection with the natural world.
After healthy, organic dinners,
our days will end with discus-
sion and silent reflection.
Will Write for Change: Communication Tools and
Techniques for Activists
William Dietrich, Eric DePlace, Karen Uffelman and Benj Drummond and
Sara Joy Steele
(Fri eve–Sun) 15 /1CP
Learning Center 2 nights lodging & 6 meals
$355 PER PERSON, SHARED OCCUPANCY $80 DISCOUNT FOR TRIPLE OCCUPANCY
$160 PREMIUM FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY
In a world hurtling toward the future, modes and methods of com-
munication are rapidly evolving and audiences are fragmenting into spe-
cialized peer groups. In this challenging environment, how can nonprofit
organizations and activists effectively communicate their message to the
masses? How do we successfully compete for, and then retain, the highly
prized attention of constituents? “Will Write for Change” gathers together
leaders of local environmental nonprofits at the Learning Center to share
techniques and tools of communicating their groups’ stories clearly, per-
suasively and in a way that reaches the largest audience possible.
In both large-group presentations and small-group breakout sessions,
this workshop will teach how to write for the Web (and how is it different
than writing for print) and how to use specific Web technologies, such as
RSS feeds, blogs, Twitter and dynamically-generated website content. We’ll
discuss the culture of the Internet, how it differs from other conversations
and how you can get your issue into the public discourse. Environmental
storytelling, photojournalism and Web-based presentations are other
genres we’ll examine. Benj and Sara will share their experiences with
working on a documentary project in a changing media landscape and
discuss their effort to distribute their work–through blogs, multimedia,
magazines, gallery shows, public art installations and live presentations–
to as wide an audience as possible. Finally, we’ll host a panel on some of
the nitty-gritty business of activist communications, including the business
of grant writing, partnerships, publicity and publication.
We’ve assembled an awesome team of Internet-savvy visionaries to
make this workshop as useful and productive for participants as possible:
Toadstools, Fairy Rings
and Witch’s Butter:
Northwest Mushrooms
(Sat) Lee Whitford
(Sun) Fred Rhoades and
Lee Whitford 6 /per day
Baker Lake Area $95/one day
$180/both days includes box lunch
Autumn rains nourish a
proliferation of mushrooms
in our region, and this field
excursion will venture in to
the forest to learn more about
the fungus among us. Institute
naturalist Lee, a member of the
Washington state key council
and expert in mushroom field
identification, will provide an
overview of fungi, their habitats
and helpful I.D. techniques.
Fred Rhoades joins us on
Sunday and we’ll delve deeply
into mycological mysteries such
as fungal structure, biology and
evolution as well as important
ecological roles like mycorrhizal
associations and decomposi-
tion. We’ll see a wide variety of
species and learn characteris-
tics that make each one unique.
Grab your rain gear, basket and
hand lens and learn more about
the fungus beneath our feet.
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
35
Register online at www.ncascades.org or by phone at (360) 856-5700 ext.
209. Mail-in registration forms are available online. Online registration is not
available for Family Getaways. Tuition is on a per-person basis and includes
a non-refundable registration fee (see Cancellations below). No discounts for
alternative lodging. Attendance is for paid registrants only.
If you’ve never attended an Institute program, you may be eligible for a
$30 discount! Our first-timer discount applies to new participants in adult
programs that cost $100 or more per person. Offer does not apply to Family
Getaways and may not be combined with other discounts or scholarships.
Standard cancellation policy applies.
If registration is cancelled 21 days or more before a program starts, we
will refund the tuition minus a registration fee. Fees are $25 for tuition of
$99 or less; $50 for $100-299; $75 for $300-799; $125 for $800 or more.
Cancellations received less than 21 days before the start of a program will
not receive a refund. If we are forced to cancel a program, participants will
receive a full refund or transfer option.
Many Institute classes are offered for optional academic credit through
Western Washington University. The number of credits available is listed
near the title of each seminar preceded by a “C.” (“CP” denotes credits
pending approval.) WWU will bill you $48/credit. The Institute is approved
by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to grant teachers
clock hour certification. The number of clock hours available appears with
a clock symbol ( ) near the title of each seminar. The Institute will bill you
$3.50/clock hour.
Scholarship funds are available for pre-service teacher education
students, teachers, seniors over 60, environmental educators, conserva-
tion professionals and low-income participants. Applications are available
online or by phone.
Accommodations range from our Learning Center to campgrounds. See
class descriptions for details.
The Learning Center has three guest lodges, each with shared gender-
specific bathrooms with showers. Guest rooms contain one twin bed
and a set of twin bunk beds and pricing varies according to the sleeping
arrangements—see class description for rates. Participants are asked to
bring their own bedding and towels. Overnight accommodations are for
paid registrants only. We cannot accommodate pets.
Delicious, healthy meals incorporating local and organic foods are pro-
2 0 0 9 R E G I S T R AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O NLEARNING CENTER AND FIELD PROGRAMS
vided for paid registrants in Learning Center programs. If you have special
dietary requirements or food allergies, we will gladly attempt to accommo-
date them with advance notice.
Participants in Field Excursions are responsible for their own food and
lodging unless otherwise specified in the course description.
Adult Learning Center and Field Excursion programs are for adults only.
Youth ages 14-17 may sometimes participate, pending approval by the
program coordinator prior to registration. Approved minors must be accom-
panied by a responsible, participating adult.
Most of our programs are conducted in the field; participants should
be in good physical condition and prepared to spend full days outdoors.
The Learning Center and most Field Excursions are more than one hour
from definitive medical care and those with medical conditions should con-
sult their physicians before enrollment. We may encounter insects, inclem-
ent weather and other unpredictable circumstances. 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. Please read and follow pre-trip
letter recommendations carefully.
Participants in backpacking classes must be in good physical condition,
have previous experience and provide their own gear and food. You must be
able to carry a full pack, weighing 50 pounds, for an average of 4-6 hours/
day. The exceptions are “Ross Lake by Boat and Boot,” “Beats on the Peaks”
and Family Backpack Adventures. Group success in a backcountry experience
is dependent upon how well each individual is prepared. Your class letter
will have an itinerary and a list of essential items. Anyone not appropriately
equipped may not be allowed to participate and no refund will be issued.
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x209www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
36
2009
2 0 0 9 I N S T R U C T O R P R O F I L E S
www.ncascades.org 360.856.5700 x2092009
ALKI KAYAK TOURS guides sea kayak
tours exploring Puget Sound. They
are committed to the conservation
and preservation of Puget Sound as a
working marine ecosystem that sup-
ports the industries of Seattle as well
as the spawning salmon headed up
the Duwamish River.
JESSIE ALAN works at Sustainable
Business Consulting, a Seattle firm
that develops sustainability strate-
gies for businesses. Jessie worked for
several years in the environmental
nonprofit sector. She is a master’s
candidate at Bainbridge Graduate
Institute, an experienced public
speaker and an avid recreationist
with firsthand knowledge of the
outdoor industry.
JIM ALT, a “wet-sider,” keeps moss
off his back by birdwatching in the
Upper Skagit. He leads the Northwest
Interpretive Association’s bookstores
in North Cascades National Park and
conducts eagle counts for the Nature
Conservancy.
TONY ANGELL’S sculptures can be
seen throughout the Northwest. He
is the illustrator of books, including
his upcoming book Tony Angell; Puget
Sound and the Artist’s Eye, due out in
2009 from University of Washington
Press. Tony retired in 2002 as Director
of Environmental Education for the
state of Washington.
PAUL BANNICK is a naturalist and
photographer specializing in the wild-
life of North America. Paul’s first book,
The Owl and The Woodpecker, was
published by the Mountaineers Books
in October 2008. In addition to work-
ing as a professional photographer,
Paul serves as the director of develop-
ment for Conservation Northwest.
www.paulbannick.com
RICK BASS is the author of 24 books
of fiction and nonfiction that explore
the interconnections between humans
and nature, including the forthcoming
memoir, The Wild Marsh. He occasion-
ally teaches writing at the University
of Montana and is active in the efforts
to designate wilderness in Montana’s
Yaak Valley.
CASEY BATES is a member of the
Sustainable Outdoor Industry
Concentration at Bainbridge Graduate
Institute. He is the sustainability
advisor to Brooks Sports Inc. and
Feathered Friends where he has
been developing a sleeping bag for
Backpacker Magazine’s Zero Impact
Challenge.
BRETT BAUNTON is an award-winning
landscape and outdoor adventure
photographer whose work has been
published in magazines such as
National Geographic, National Wildlife,
Wilderness and Backpacker. A Seattle
native, he lives in Bellingham while
operating his scanning and printing
business, ArtScan. www.brettbaunton.
com, www.artscan.com
JAMES BERTOLINO’S work has
appeared in many journals and anthol-
ogies. His awards include a National
Endowment for the Arts fellowship and
the 2007 Jeanne Lohmann Poetry Prize
for Washington State poets. Jim taught
creative writing for more than 30 years
and now thrives in the forest east of
Bellingham.
MIKE BRONDI has worked for North
Cascades National Park for more
than two decades. He lives in Skagit
County and has worked as a logger,
carpenter, farmer and nursery-
man. Mike is an active volunteer and
currently serves as volunteer coor-
dinator and horticulturist for North
Cascades National Park.
ERIC CHAMBERS is a development
officer at the Northwest Educational
Service District and teaches courses in
nonprofit management and grant writ-
ing at Western Washington University.
He has more than 10 years experience
winning grants. Eric has a goal of
visiting each national park. He lives in
Skagit County.
CHARLES CLAASSEN is the Institute’s
chef, foodservice manager and
Foodshed Project leader. He has led
professional kitchens for more than
15 years, from hotels and private
restaurants to corporate dining rooms
and universities. An avid alpinist and
certified climbing instructor with the
American Mountain Guide Association,
Charles lives on campus at the foot of
Sourdough Mountain with his family.
CHRISTINA CLAASSEN is the librarian
for the Institute’s Wild Ginger Library.
She lives at the Learning Center with
her family. In addition to home-
schooling Olivia, freelance writing and
editing as a part-time gig, Christina
enjoys hiking, climbing, painting and
sitting on the deck with the wilderness
around her.
GERRY COOK is the most senior
employee at North Cascades National
Park. He is an artist and naturalist with
a passion for backcountry tales and
wilderness preservation. Captain of the
Ross Mule, a boat that shuttles students
and trail crew workers alike, Gerry loves
the lake as much as the high country.
From 1970-72, he served as a fire look-
out on Desolation Peak, Copper Ridge
and Sourdough Mountain.
MARIA CORYELL-MARTIN is an “expe-
ditionary artist” based in Seattle. She
explores polar and glaciated regions to
record climate change through art. In
the field, Maria works with pen, ink,
watercolor and gouache. In the studio,
she paints with oils on canvas.
www.expeditionaryart.com.
JOCELYN CURRY, a Seattle native, is
trained in the fine arts, traditional
calligraphy and contemporary let-
tering design. When not working on
assignments for diverse clients such
as Nordstrom, Seattle Chocolate and
Edmonds Community College, she
delights in creating personal artworks,
sketching, tending her garden or trav-
eling to inspiring destinations.
www.jocelyncurry.com
RON DART has studied mountaineer-
ing culture and literature in the
Cascadia region of North America,
from John Muir in the United States
to the Swiss Alpine Guide tradition in
Canada. Ron has taught at University
of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC
since 1990. He’s published more
than 20 books, including Thomas
Merton and the Beats of the North
Cascades, and Mountaineering and
the Humanities.
BENJAMIN DRUMMOND is a Seattle-
based freelance photojournalist and
graphic designer who explores the
connection between people and land-
scape. He is currently working with
his partner, writer and producer Sara
Joy Steele, on Facing Climate Change,
a long-term project that illustrates
global climate change through local
people. www.bendrum.com
KATHLEEN DEAN MOORE writes about
cultural and spiritual connections to
places. A new book, Wild Comfort, will
be published next year by Shambhala.
She is working on a book about the
ethics of climate change, collecting
stories from leaders around the world.
Kathleen is Distinguished Professor
of Philosophy and Writer Laureate at
Oregon State University.
ERIC DEPLACE, senior researcher
at Sightline Institute, contributes
research and writing for the annual
Cascadia Scorecard on sprawl, eco-
nomic security, wildlife and other top-
ics. He also writes for the Daily Score
blog and contributes to a number of
other Sightline projects, especially
climate policy in the western states.
WILLIAM DIETRICH won a Pulitizer
Prize at the Seattle Times for cover-
age of the Exxon Valdez disaster, is
author of The Final Forest: The Battle
for the Last Great Trees of the Pacific
Northwest and several best-selling
novels and is the faculty editor of The
Planet, Huxley College’s environmental
magazine.
SCOTT FITKIN, is a wildlife biologist
for the Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife. Scott is a carnivore
expert and has studied animals all
over Washington state. His current
projects include international efforts
focusing on wolverines and gray
wolves, ranging from the Pasayten
Wilderness and North Cascades
National Park to Canada.
KATHERINE GLEW is associate cura-
tor of lichens and bryophytes at the
University of Washington Herbarium.
Presently curating historic collections
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and processing lichens collected from
the Russian Far East, her research
interests include studying alpine com-
munity structure on Mt. Rainier and
lichens from island ecosystems.
KRISTEN GILJE works in her
Bellingham studio, painting in oil,
acrylic, watercolor and silk dye on
silk. Kristen has lived in the North
Cascade Mountains and paints as a
way to share her love of the outdoors
with others.
THOR HANSON is a Switzer
Environmental Fellow, member of the
Human Ecosystems Study Group at
University of Idaho and an indepen-
dent conservation biologist based on
San Juan Island. He is the author of
The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla
Years in Uganda.
MOLLY HASHIMOTO is an artist and
teacher, appreciated for her patient
tutelage as much as for her paintings.
In addition to many years with North
Cascades Institute, she has taught at
the Haystack Institute, Sitka Center
for Art and Ecology and Yellowstone
Association Institute. She connects
students with nature and cultural his-
tory through watercolor workshops.
RALPH HAUGERUD, coauthor of
Geology of the North Cascades: A
Mountain Mosaic, is a geologist with
the U.S. Geological Survey at the
University of Washington. His maps
tell stories about some of the most
unique and complex landforms in
the world. Ralph maps the geology
of mountains as well as the Salish
lowlands.
KURT HOELTING is a wilderness guide,
meditation teacher and commercial
fisherman. For 15 years, he has taught
meditation during Alaska sea-kayaking
trips through his company, Inside
Passages. He has worked as a com-
mercial fisherman in Alaska and Puget
Sound for more than 30 years.
HOLLY HUGHES’ work has appeared in
several anthologies. Her poetry chap-
book Boxing the Compass won the
Floating Bridge chapbook contest in
2007. She teaches writing at Edmonds
Community College and spends
summers working as a naturalist in
Southeast Alaska and winters on the
Olympic Peninsula.
JESSE KENNEDY has worked in cul-
tural resource management for North
Cascades National Park for more than
20 years. A Pacific Northwest native,
he continues to explore its history
through the images, stories and struc-
tures of this environment.
JIM LYNCH is the author of The Highest
Tide, which won the 2006 Pacific
Northwest Bookseller Award. His second
novel Border Songs is due out in June.
JOHN MARZLUFF is an assistant
professor of wildlife science at the
University of Washington College of
Forest Resources and is the author of
In the Company of Crows and Ravens,
which was awarded a Washington
State Book Award in 2006. He’s
conducted long-term studies of
urbanization on songbirds in the
Seattle area, responses of predators
and songbirds to settlements, recre-
ation and forest fragmentation on the
Olympic Peninsula and endangered
species conservation.
MEGAN MCGINTY is the Institute’s
Community Programs naturalist. With
more than 20 years of experience of
teaching in the outdoors, she has
guided and taught in places such as
Mt. Rainer, the Florida Everglades,
Patagonia and Costa Rica. She has
conducted field research in glacier
monitoring, raptor migration and black
swift nesting sites. She oversees the
Institute’s field excursions.
TIM MCNULTY’S volumes of poetry
include Pawtracks, In Blue Mountain
Dusk, Reflected Light and, most
recently, Through High Still Air, A
Season at Sourdough Mountain. He is a
noted conservationist and the author of
two nonfiction books, Olympic National
Park: A Natural History and Mount
Rainier National Park. He has served as
a fire lookout in the North Cascades and
a tree-planter on the Olympic Peninsula.
BOB MIERENDORF has been an
archaeologist and anthropologist with
North Cascades National Park for more
than 20 years. One of the few experts
in alpine archaeology, Bob has taught
field seminars since 1986, emphasiz-
ing the connections all people have
with their environment.
LIBBY MILLS is a wildlife biologist and
artist who has studied birds for nearly
40 years. Respected for her knowledge
of the Skagit and Methow valleys, she
has taught natural history from Alaska
to Baja to Costa Rica. Libby records
the sights and sounds of nature in
field journals, sketchbooks and on
audiotape.
JEFF MUSE is an educator and writer
who splits time between his Skagit
Valley home and the Evergreen State
College, where he’s launching the uni-
versity’s sustainable prisons project
with the Department of Corrections.
Jeff worked a decade for the Institute,
and for the National Park Service as a
wilderness ranger.
NICHOLAS O’CONNELL is the author of
On Sacred Ground: The Spirit of Place
in Pacific Northwest Literature, At the
Field’s End: Interviews with 22 Pacific
Northwest Writers, Contemporary
Ecofiction and Beyond Risk:
Conversations with Climbers. Nick also
teaches writing classes from Seattle
for www.thewritersworkshop.net.
DENNIS PAULSON recently retired
as director of the Slater Museum of
Natural History at the University of
Puget Sound. He has researched birds
and dragonflies and taught classes on
wildlife, ecology and evolution. Dennis
is the author of six books, including
Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest,
and Dragonflies of Washington.
NANCY PEARL is the author of the
Book Lust series from Sasquatch
Books and serves as the inspiration for
the world’s only librarian action figure.
She is a regular commentator about
books on National Public Radio and in
2004 won the Women’s National Book
Association Award.
RUTHY PORTER is an artist, illustrator
and graphic designer whose primary
influences spring from her passion for
the details found in nature. With a back-
ground in environmental education and
educational publishing, Ruthy employs
art as a teaching tool—a window into
the natural sciences and interrelation-
ships between people and landscapes.
ROBERT MICHAEL PYLE is a full-time
writer and independent biologist and
teacher. His 15 books include Walking
Gerry Cook, the friendly Ross Mule
captain for “Ross Lake by Boat and
Boot” and “Beats on the Peaks”
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38
the High Ridge, Wintergreen and The
Butterflies of Cascadia. His recent
book, Sky Time in Gray’s River, won
the 2007 National Outdoor Book Award
for natural history literature. He
recently completed the first nationwide
Butterfly Big Year for a new book.
JOHN ROHRER studies wildlife man-
agement at Humboldt State University
and has held positions as a biologist
for both the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Forest
Service. He currently works as a biolo-
gist for Methow Valley Ranger District
in Okanogan National Forest.
ADAM RUSSELL is the Learning
Center’s naturalist and specializes
in paddling canoes, hiking trails and
teaching about rocks and plants,
wildlife and history. An athlete and
aspiring mountaineer, Adam has spent
time conducting field research in the
Amazon, Galapagos Islands, Andes
and North Cascades.
DAVE SANSONE is a naturalist who
has a passion for sustainability.
Known for being outdoors as much as
possible, he has observed natural pro-
cesses and applied them to the design
of his homestead. Dave has experi-
ence in organic farming, permaculture
gardening and is a wild edible and
medicinal plant educator.
KARL SCHROEDER is an amateur
astronomer, former 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.
JARED SILLIKER works at the Cadmus
Group, an environmental consulting
firm, to encourage high-performance
building designs. For more than five
years, he has supported EPA’s Energy
Star program and currently splits his
time between new building design and
consumer electronics. He is a sustain-
able business MBA candidate at the
Bainbridge Graduate Institute.
SARA JOY STEELE is a freelance
writer based in Seattle, Washington.
She is currently working with pho-
tographer Benjamin Drummond on
a long-term documentary project
that tells the story of global warming
through local people. To learn more
about their print and Web media,
presentations and exhibitions visit
www.facingclimatechange.org.
DAVE TUCKER researches volcanic
stratigraphy in the North Cascades.
He is currently studying the Holocene
eruptive history of Mt. Baker, and will
soon begin a geologic mapping project
of volcanic rocks near Ross Lake. He
is a resident of Bellingham, retired
mountaineering guide and instructor
at Western Washington University.
CYNTHIA UPDEGRAVE studied biol-
ogy teaching at the University of
Washington, working closely with
Estella Leopold for many years in
the historic and biogeographical
aspects of regional floras. Cynthia
uses an interdisciplinary, place-based
approach to teaching, focusing on
bioregional literacy.
DANA VISALLI is a field botanist
specializing in rare plants. As director
of the Methow Biodiversity Project,
he coordinates a biological inventory
of the Methow River watershed and
publishes The Methow Naturalist, a
natural history journal. He is author
of Northwest Dryland Wildflowers,
Sagebrush-Ponderosa, Northwest
Coastal Wildflowers and Northwest
Mountain Wildflowers.
KEENAN WEBSTER began his music
studies with master teachers from
Africa and Cuba and concentrates
his studies on religion, history and
music. His musical influences include
John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Taj Mahal,
El Hadj Kouyate and music of Latin
America, Sumatra and India. He
extends experimentation and improvi-
sation to the balafon and kora.
SHELLEY WEISBERG is a field botanist
who delights in teaching about native
plants. She has studied plant communi-
ties throughout Washington, coordinat-
ed plant restoration projects for North
Cascades National Park and worked at
local nurseries. Shelley is the owner of
Moonstone Garden Design, specializing
in native plants and environmentally
responsible practices.
ZAC WEST is founding principal of
IDeologyfirm.com. He has more than
10 years experience in product design
and project management. Zac holds an
MBA in Sustainability from Bainbridge
Graduate Institute. His studies
examined optimizing profitability
through system streamlining. He is a
member of OIA’s Eco Working Group,
Access Fund and Carbon Concierge.
LEE WHITFORD has served the
Institute for many years as a naturalist,
coordinator for Institute Stewardship
programs and honorary mom at the
Learning Center. In 2004, she earned
her MEd in Environmental Education
through the Institute’s Graduate
Residency program with Western
Washington University. Lee resides in
Bellingham and can be found out and
about collecting fungi, observing sea
creatures or studying rocks.
DAVID B. WILLIAMS is a freelance
natural history writer and author of
The Street-Smart Naturalist: Field
Notes from Seattle. His next book,
Stories in Stone, is about the cultural
and natural history of building stone
from around the United States.
www.streetsmartnaturalist.com.
KENT WOODRUFF is an outstanding
naturalist and wildlife biologist with
the Okanogan and Wenatchee National
Forest. 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.
YO U ’ R E I N V I T E D !INSTITUTE ANNUAL PICNICSaturday, May 30, FREECome to our Upper Skagit neighborhood party. Enjoy a day
at our Learning Center campus with sustainability tours, chil-
dren’s activities, naturalist walks, canoe trips, live music and a
scrumptious barbecue picnic buffet. Find out more about what
the Institute is up to in 2009 at this popular annual event.
l MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/EVENTS HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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that is 505,000 acres of pristine
wilderness—craggy peaks, cascading waterfalls, meadows full of wildflowers and
more glaciers than anywhere else in the Lower 48—located in the heart of the
beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Visualize studying in a community that includes the region’s best and bright-
est environmental educators, field scientists, writers, naturalists, artists, conser-
vationists and visionary leaders in the nonprofit sector.
Picture an academic experience that incorporates the rigorous training of a uni-
versity, the experience of teaching, the practicality of nonprofit organizational man-
agement and the organic insights born from wide-ranging outdoor explorations.
Envision yourself as a graduate student with North Cascades Institute and
Western Washington University, earning your Master’s in Environmental
Education and a Certificate in Leadership and Nonprofit Administration while
enjoying the very best the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Working in partnership with Huxley College of the Environment at WWU, the
Institute offers an integrated Master of Education program that blends leadership
and nonprofit administration, curriculum development and instructional strategies,
natural and cultural history and residential program operations. Over the course of
our one-of-a-kind, seven-quarter program, you’ll live and work at the North Cascades
Environmental Learning Center, our wilderness campus in North Cascades National
Park, pursue coursework at WWU’s Bellingham campus, teach kids from all back-
grounds about their natural heritage through Mountain School, survey Northwest
environments from high alpine trails
to the Skagit Valley and the San Juan
Islands and make lifelong friends and
professional contacts in our close-knit
community.
The professional residency at the
Institute is the only one of its kind
that is fully integrated into a degree
program. Unlike other comparable
graduate programs, at the end of your
academic journey you’ll have secured
your M.Ed. degree from WWU, a
venerable institution that, for 10 years
in a row, was rated second among
Western-region public universities
that grant Master’s degrees by U.S.
News & World Report.
When you complete the Institute’s
integrated M.Ed. program, you are
ready for doors to open to an inspiring
career in environmental education
and nonprofit leadership!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GRADUATE PROGRAM , VISIT
WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/GRADUATE OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
M A S T E R ’ S O F E D U C AT I O NGRADUATE PROGRAM: LIVE, LEARN AND TEACH IN THE NORTH CASCADES LEARNING CENTER
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I believe the
experiences I gained
through my classes
at Western and the
Professional Residency
set me apart from the
other applicants and
will help me make a
real positive impact
on Palouse-Clearwater
Environmental Institute.
This is just the type of
position I wanted post-
graduation.
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believes children exposed
to nature and educated in the natural sciences gain a valuable connection
that will serve them their whole lives. Mountain School, which has served
more than 14,000 children since 1989, is our nationally recognized residen-
tial environmental education program offered in cooperation with North
Cascades National Park. Mountain School students come to the North
Cascades for three days and two nights with their school class to learn about
ecosystems, scientific investigation, geology and the natural and cultural
history of the mountains through hands-on, experiential-based activities.
In 2008, Mountain School served nearly 1,500 4th–12th grade students and
adults from Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Highline, the San Juan Islands,
Edmonds, Tukwila, Clover Park, Bellingham, Bellevue and Seattle.
North Cascades Institute offers Mountain School programs for
upper elementary through high school students at our expansive
Environmental Learning Center, a wilderness campus located on the
shores of Diablo Lake that includes well-equipped classrooms and
labs, a library and experienced staff and hike leaders. 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. A unique net-
work of trails and shelters surrounding the Learning Center provides
quick and easy access to the surrounding wilderness and incredible
outdoor learning opportuni-
ties. Participants stay in guest
lodges and fresh, delicious
and nutritious meals featuring
local, fresh foods are served in
the lakeside dining hall.
The multi-disciplinary
Mountain School curriculum
is aligned with Washington
State’s EALRs and GLEs to
better facilitate the integra-
tion of information learned at
Mountain School into the class-
room curriculum and into each
student’s daily life. In addition
to academic lessons, students
develop important social skills
and a sense of respect for one
another and their surrounding
environment as they live and
work together in a cooperative
community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOUR CHILD’S CLASSROOM
CAN EXPERIENCE THE TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECTS OF
MOUNTAIN SCHOOL, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/SCHOOL
OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
M O U N TA I N S C H O O LBRING YOUR CLASSROOM TO THE MOUNTAINS
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in an Institute program, your
tuition dollars go toward helping us connect hundreds of young
people more closely with the natural world. A few of our notable
youth adventures include:
an exciting new venture for 2009 with the National Parks Foundation, North
Cascades National Park and Pacific Gas and Electric. High school youth from
communities around the country will convene in North Cascades National Park
for one month to study climate change. While here, the youth will spend four
weeks in the field exploring climate change issues with experts and learning
about energy conservation, national parks and stewardship. After leaving our
mountains, they’ll return to their local communities as youth ambassadors and
lead others in service projects in their local National Parks.
YO U T H A D V E N T U R E SCONNECTING THE NEXT GENERATION TO NATURE
a backcountry canoe, backpacking
and conservation service program for
underserved youth on Ross Lake in North
Cascades National Park. During the course
of 12 life-changing days, high school
students from the Seattle and Skagit
Valley areas complete service projects,
learn Leave No Trace, outdoor camping
and leadership skills and study wilderness
stewardship and the natural and cultural
history of the region with the Institute,
the Student Conservation Association and
North Cascades National Park.l FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE STEP OUTSIDE AND LEARN ABOUT OUR LOCAL
ENVIRONMENT, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/GIVE OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
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44
V O L U N T E E R S T E W A R D S ,like our popular Eagle Watchers and Mountain Stewards programs, are trained in
the natural history of eagles, salmon, the Skagit watershed, mountain ecosystems,
Leave No Trace practices and skills on how to teach these topics to the general
public. Stewards are asked to volunteer 20–40 hours during the winter or summer
months and provide valuable education for visitors to our state’s public lands.
l FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/STEWARDS OR CALL
(360) 856-5700 EXT. 209.
a program that began last year in partnership with
the National Forest Service, Mount Vernon Police
Department, Skagit Youth and Family Services and
the National Park Service. This outreach initiative
engages youth from one of the Skagit Valley’s most
diverse neighborhoods in a variety of outdoor
activities including all-day field trips and after-
school programs. In 2008, more than 100 youth
learned about bears, marine biology, migratory
birds and the natural history of the Skagit Valley
through visits to local public lands with a variety
of educators.
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G R O U P R E N TA L SGATHER YOUR GROUP AT THE LEARNING CENTER
to the North Cascades
and host a group meeting or retreat at the Learning Center.
Our unique field campus inspires reflection, understanding
and connection to the natural world, as well as to each other.
Group rentals include:Lodging for as many as 69 guests
Delicious catering with local and organic foods
Conference rooms, trailside shelters and a library
Internet access, projectors and other supplies
Naturalist-led activities like canoeing and hiking exclusive to your group
Inspiring community of green-living and sustainable practices
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
meetings. Conference fees help subsidize our youth education
programs and scholarships for low-income participants.
l FOR RATES, BOOKING AND OTHER INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.NCASCADES.ORG/RENTALS
OR CALL (360) 856-5700 EXT. 209. ©L
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2009
H E L P U SCONSERVE AND RESTORE NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTS
Thanks to the support of people who care about our environment, our
programs are working. We’re connecting young people more closely with
nature right here in the Northwest.
This past year, we taught thousands of kids about this special place.
They know more about the environment; now they’re taking better care of it.
Here’s what donors helped us accomplish in 2008:
North Cascades Wild led 37 underserved teenagers onto Ross Lake
via canoes. These amazing kids from a broad diversity of cultural back-
grounds spent 12 days on Ross Lake doing arduous, hands-on steward-
ship work and learning about the environment.
The life-changing results were dramatic. One 16-year-old wrote,
“I now realize that the environment needs my help.”
In Mountain School, more than 1,800 young people spent three days
at North Cascades Environmental Learning Center learning about our local
ecosystem. A fifth-grade teacher wrote us, “Six months later, my kids are
still talking about what they learned about glaciers, plants and water—
even lichen!”
The Kulshan Creek Neighborhood Program connected dozens of
young residents of this urban Hispanic community in Mount Vernon with
nature, right in their own backyard. These enthusiastic kids and their
families—most of them new residents who speak Spanish as their first
language—are hungry for safe, stimulating experiences in nature.
Our current economy is presenting tough challenges for everyone, but
our dedication to our mission remains as strong as ever. With your sup-
port, we intend to come through this time a stronger organization poised
to achieve our mission to a greater degree than ever before.
Please help us conserve and restore Northwest environments through
education.
Give today!
GIVE TODAYYour support makes our work possible. Return
this form to North Cascades Institute, call us
at (360) 856 5700 ext. 209 or donate online at
www.ncascades.org/give.
q$250 q $500 q $1,000
q $5,000 q Other
I would like to pledge $_______ per month for
_______ years, for a total of $_______.
Please bill my credit card.
q Check, payable to North Cascades Institute
q Visa q MasterCard
47
StaffKevin Biggs
Tom Borst
Debra Brodie
Amy Brown
Laura Busby
Charles Claassen
Christina Claassen
Jenny Cloutier
Manda Davis
Betsy Delph
Jeff Giesen
Kristofer Gilje
Angela Goodall
Anne Hubka
Brooke Larrabee
Orawan Layne
Christian Martin
Deb Martin
Danelle McGee
Mark McGee
Megan McGinty
Kris Molesworth
Adam Russell
Jason Ruvelson
Julie Toomey
Carolyn Waters
Saul Weisberg
Lee Whitford
Amy Wilcox
Board of DirectorsJim Bishop
David Bonn
Terry Conner
Gerry Cook
Pete Dewell
Carolyn Gastellum
Dunham Gooding
Peter Jackson
Nan McKay
John Miles
Stan Miller
Jeanne Muir
Therese Ogle
Brian Scheuch
Randy Self
Abby Sussman
Advisory CouncilThomas Lowe Fleischner
Art Kruckeberg
Estella Leopold
Richard Louv
Chip Jenkins
Rob Iwamoto
Robert Michael Pyle
John Reynolds
Chuck Robinson
I N S T I T U T E L E A D E R S H I P
Clockwise from top left: Brooke Larrabee,
Development Coordinator; Amy Brown, North
Cascades Wild Naturalist; Tom Borst, Caretaker
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2009
Christian Martin
www.moontrolling.com
Jesse Kinsman
www.kinsmancreative.com
Carolyn Waters
Lithtex Northwest
www.lithtex.com
Spring Aspens, watercolor, 2008.
Our cover art for this catalog was
generously provided by Seattle
artist Suze Woolf. She found this
particular grove of aspens in an
avalanche chute east of Cutthroat
Lake on State Route 20: “It had
begun to leaf out, but the under-
growth was still low enough to
scramble the bank and thrash
my way into the middle of the
grove.” Suze’s goal as an artist
is “to transport the viewer into
the world of the painting and
yet that viewer always remains
aware of the artist's hand.”
To see more of her work and a
schedule of upcoming exhibits,
visit www.suzewoolf-fineart.com.
We are also grateful to have the
opportunity to reproduce the
artwork of Ruthy Porter, Chris
Thornley, Jocelyn Curry, Katie
Roloson, Kristen Gilje and Nikki
McClure, and the photography of
Benj Drummond, John Scurlock,
Brett Baunton, Paul Bannick,
David Snyder, Lara Swimmer,
Marco Prozzo, Lee Rolfe, Anita
Boyle, Giuseppe Moretti and
Institute staff and graduate
students.
Special thanks to the National
Park Service for the use of Doug
Albee’s image of Diablo Dam
and to University of Puget Sound
for Abby Williams Hill’s painting
“Glacier Peaks.”
Copyright 2009 North Cascades
Institute. All rights reserved.
Art, photo and poetry copyrights
remain with creators and are
used by permission.
Major Partners Special Thanks
Catalog Credits
Clockwise from top left: Chaya and Angela Goodall, Head Housekeeper; Kristofer Gilje, Operations Director; Kris Molesworth, Donor Relations Manager
Special thanks to Foothills
Toyota in Burlington and
Toyota USA for their donation
of a new Toyota Highlander
Hybrid to the Institute!
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NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284
(360) 856-5700 ext. 209 www.ncascades.org
♼ PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER MANUFACTURED WITH ELECTRICITY OFFSET RENEWABLE ENERGY.BY CHOOSING RECYCLED FIBER, WE SAVED 36 TREES, 7,762 GALLONS OF WATER, 17 MILLION BTUS OF ENERGY, 1,698 POUNDS OF SOLID WASTE AND 2,869 POUNDS OF GREENHOUSE GASES.
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AT CHATTERMARKS.ORG
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