North Cascades Institute

On Thursday, May 21, join North Cascades Institute and Third Place Books at the Seward Park store for the next installment in our Nature of Writing Speaker Series. Author, ecologist and conservation biologist Tom Fleischner will share readings and reflections on his new book "Astonished by Beauty: A Field Guide to the Practice of Paying Attention". Offering simple, grounded steps to nurture our bond with nature, the book is part reflection and part guide, calling for a life lived with care, presence, and respect for the wild beauty that surrounds us. Ecologist and co-founder of North Cascades Institute, Saul Weisberg, joins in conversation. Before the reading, all guests are welcome to join Tom & Saul for happy hour next door at Chuck's Hop Shop from 5-7PM. We hope to see you there! 📚 RSVP for this free event: /event/tom-fleischner

In a few months the snow will be mostly melted out of high elevations and early wildflowers could be beginning to appear in this magical place. As warmer temperatures approach remember to #RecreateResponsibly. Rivers, streams and creeks will be moving fast and water levels will be higher from snow melt. Snow bridges are more common as temperatures warm and snow begins to melt. Use caution when hiking on snow near water resources. Use caution when navigating trails as they will not be completely melted out and it can be easy to stray off course. 📸: @mikereidphotography

If you are making road trip plans that involve crossing the epic North Cascades Highway, be aware that there is significant damage to State Route 20 east of North Cascades National Park and no timeline for when WSDOT will be able to repair and reopen the route. Here’s a story outlining some of the impacts of this unfortunate situation (as well as an update on the flood damage in Stehekin): /national-parks/article/north-cascades-park-summer-22249338.php 📸: Christian Martin

Here’s some springtime magic! Who can guess this beauty? Here’s some hints: 🌼 Their scientific name is Cornus nuttallii and is a member of the Cornaceae family 🌼 They grow from British Columbia to California and can be found primarily on the Western side of the Cascades and on the Washington coast 🌼They are highly flood tolerant and are common along streams banks in low elevation coniferous forests, with moist, but well-drained soils on gentle slopes 🌼 It is a deciduous tree growing up to 66 feet (20 meters) tall with a smooth dark bark 🌼 Trees flower from April-June and fruits ripen from September-October 🌼 Some Pacific Northwest indigenous tribes use it its bark for medicinal purposes like as a blood purifier, gastrointestinal aid, laxative and lung strengthened. The bark can also be used for dyeing. 📸: @findingbeauty9

GiveBIG may have ended last week, but the Institute still needs your help with raising funds to get more young people outside in the year ahead. It’s not too late to support the next generation of environmental leaders. Together, we will deepen roots and build a brighter future! 🌲 GIVE TODAY at ncascades.org/givebig

Lee Whitford’s connection to the North Cascades Institute spans decades—and runs deep. A graduate of Cohort 2 and former staff member, she has experienced the Institute from the inside out. Today, she continues that relationship as a Headwaters Club member, major donor, and Legacy Circle supporter, with a focus on youth programs, scholarships, and expanding access to immersive learning in nature. That commitment is also part of a family legacy. Lee’s parents were longtime supporters, and together their generosity established an endowment that continues to sustain the Institute’s work. As an environmental educator, mother, and grandmother, Lee has seen firsthand how time in the natural world can shape a young person’s life—building curiosity, confidence, and a sense of connection in a rapidly changing world. Through her ongoing support, she’s helping ensure those opportunities remain available for future generations. We are deeply grateful, Lee. #NCISupporterSpotlight #support

Take a picture it will last longer. And why not take a picture of picturesque Picture Lake with Mount Shuksan in the background. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸 Mount Shuksan is one of the most photographed mountains in the North Cascades. Not sure why 🤔. I guess if you like that whole snow covered mountain, lake reflection thing then it’s ok. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸 It lies just inside the park’s northwestern boundary and is the second tallest peak in the park. 📸 The mountain name, Shuksan is derived from the Lummi word [šéqsən], said to mean “high peak”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Who has been to Picture Lake before?🙋‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸: @skandog 📍Ancestral homelands of the Nlaka’pamux, Nooksack & Coast Salish people

Lights out!! Lend birds a helping hand or perhaps a helping wing by turning off your lights at night. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate through the US, mostly under the cover of darkness. An estimated over one million birds flew over Washington state last night. This mass movement of birds contends with an increasing, but still largely unrecognized threat: light pollution. Light pollution harms birds, but you can help!​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ 🦅 Light attracts and disorients migrating birds. Turn off or dim non-essential lighting from 11pm to 6am every night (when most birds migrate). ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ 🦅 Light can confuse and exhaust birds making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings. Treat reflective glass to keep birds safe on their journeys. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Turning off your lights not only saves energy, but helps ensure that millions of birds lives are saved and they can complete their migration. Visit Birdcast.info for more tips and information on migrating birds and how to keep them safe. #LightsOutForBirds​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ 📸: Birdcast.info

Today is GiveBIG! Join us today and have your gift matched 1:1 up to $40,000! Together, we will create a brighter future for today’s youth and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. 🌲 GIVE TODAY at wagives.org/ncascades

We’re a bit over a month into Spring and while alpine wildflower season is farther down the road, we can appreciate our early spring flowers like Trillium. 🌷 The most widespread amongst the western states, western white trillium (Trillium ovatum) is the most common to the Pacific Northwest. 🌷 All trillium species belong to the Liliaceae (lily) family and are rhizomatous herbs with unbranched stems meaning a plant stem that grows horizontally under or along the ground and often sends out roots and shoots. 🌷 Morphologically, trillium plants produce no true leaves or stems above ground. The “stem” is just an extension of the horizontal rhizome and produces tiny, scale like leaves (cataphylls). 🌷 The above-ground plant is technically a flowering scape, and the leaf-like structures are bracts subtending the flower. 🌷 Several species of Trillium contain chemical compounds called sapogenins that have been used medicinally as astringents, coagulants, expectorants, and uterine stimulants How neat is that? Have you seen these early indicators of Spring in your area? 🙋🏻‍♀️ 📸: @findingbeauty9

Join us at Backcountry Essentials tomorrow – Thursday, April 30th from 6-8pm – to connect with 18 local nonprofits from Bellingham and beyond. Come meet the people and organizations doing amazing work in our community, learn what they’re all about, and discover ways to get involved! There will be drinks & snacks, inspiring presentations, raffle prizes, and plenty of good conversation. Stop by, connect with your community and learn how YOU can make an impact this year!

Your support strengthens our roots, so that great things happen for both kids and nature. In honor of our 40th Anniversary, join us today through May 26 and have your gift matched 1:1 up to $40,000! Together, we will create a brighter future and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. 🌲 GIVE TODAY at wagives.org/ncascades