February 23, 2012
With Peter Neitlich, Natural Resources Program Manager for the Western Arctic National Parklands.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

This talk will provide an overview of arctic landscapes and research into on-the-ground effects of climate change in the US’s northernmost national parks.  Of special note will be emerging coastal issues including walruses, polar bears and yellow-billed loons; permafrost and its thaw; and lichens, the dietary staple of the world’s largest migratory herd–the Western Arctic Caribou Herd. We will also take a look at current and emerging development issues such including mining and oil production in the Chukchi Sea.

Sunday, February 19, 2012 1-4pm
with Northwest Watercolorist John Adams
at the North Cascades Basecamp
Cost: TBA

This 3 hour class will include an instructor demonstration and each participant will be guided to create their own unique and expressive artwork based on the demo painting or a subject of their choice.  We will use the shapes of mountains and trees as a place to begin an adventurous exploration of watercolor painting.  All levels of experience are welcome!

A signature member of both the National and Northwest Watercolor Societies, John is a part-time Methow Valley resident who paints the Methow Valley and North Cascade landscape in all seasons.
www.johnadamsdesign.com

February 16, 2012
With John Morgan, owner and wine maker of Lost River Winery.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

John Morgan, Winemaker/Owner/Partner of Lost River Winery presents an overview of the Glacial Lake Missoula Floods and how these repeated floods contributed to the diversity of Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) grape growing region.  The evening presentation will include a selection of Lost River wines to sample, grown in these soils.

February 9, 2012
With John Rohrer, District Wildlife Biologist, Methow Valley Ranger District.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

We’ll learn about the basic ecology and life history of the northern pacific rattlesnake, but focus mainly on what researchers have learned using radio telemetry the last several years regarding winter dens and seasonal migration patterns here in the Methow Valley.

February 2, 2012
With Peter Singleton, Wildlife Biologist, USFS Forestry Sciences Research Lab, University of WA PhD Candidate.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

Whooo’s that hooting at my door??? Spotted owls, barred owls, and ecological surprises… Come join us as we take a moon-lit evening excursion to try to call in some owls, talk about the owl community in the North Cascades, and discuss Peter’s research on two of it’s most famous members: spotted owls and barred owls. Spotted owls have been a long-time resident of old forests in the North Cascades, and many of you will be familiar with the notoriety that they gained during debates over forest management in the 1980’s and 90’s. The ecological surprise has been the rapid expansion of the spotted owls’ eastern cousin; the barred owl. Barred owls were first recorded in the North Cascades in the late 1970’s and have become quite abundant in many areas over the last 20 years. During that same time, spotted owls have gone extinct in the wild in British Columbia and populations have declined substantially in Washington. Come join us as we discuss Peter’s research into the fascinating community ecology behind the interactions between these two birds.

January 26, 2012
with Gary Koehler, retired research scientist, WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

The North Cascades are on the south end of the boreal forest in North America, and therefore the lynx of the Cascades are on the edge of their southern range.  There numbers are in decline, which may be a function of climate change, land management, and other uncertainties.  Come learn about the lynx of the Okanogan highlands and what researchers are learning about lynx and their interactions with the boreal forests of the Cascades.

January 19, 2012
With Joe Reichert, Denali National Park Mountaineering Ranger.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

Bring your enthusiasm for the virtual tour and if your interest is piqued I will be able to help you get ready for the real deal.  Join one of Denali National Park’s mountaineering rangers for an introduction to climbing Denali via the West Buttress.

January 12, 2012
With Kim Romain-Bondi, North Cascades Basecamp proprietor, Wildlife Biologist

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

We’ll take a journey below ground into the burrows of mammal and amphibian species to see how their lives are influenced by their surroundings and each other.  We’ll discuss the life cycles of predator burrowing species such as the weasel, the sleepy colonies of ground squirrels and marmots, as well as the slimy and ancient spadefoot toad.

Saturday, January 7th. 2012
with Libby Mills and Kim Romain-Bondi

Cost: $50 per person – full day workshop.  Optional day workshop $30; evening dinner and presentation $20.  10am – 8pm.  

Workshop Description: Spend a day with wintering Bald Eagles in the Methow Valley and interpreter, educator and birder Libby Mills.   Workshop includes observation of eagles foraging throughout the valley, an evening roost site survey, as well as wintering eagle ecology lessons.  The evening portion of the workshop includes a fabulous dinner and dessert at the North Cascades Basecamp with a presentation by Libby to follow.

Contact the Basecamp for registration at 509/996-2334 or info@northcascadesbasecamp.com

This wintering bald eagle workshop will take place at the North Cascades Basecamp, a beautiful family run lodge and cabin in the upper Methow Valley, Mazama WA.   Amenities at the Basecamp include an outdoor hot tub, ski and snowshoe trails out your door, comfortable living space with wood stove and natural history library, and homemade meals featuring local ingredients from the Basecamp garden and family farms in the Methow Valley. Vegetarian meals are always available.

Questions about the course and logistics?  Contact Kim or Steve at the North Cascades Basecamp at 509-996-2334 info@NorthCascadesBasecamp.com

Jan 5^th, 2012.
with David Moskowitz, educator, photographer, and author of Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest and his upcoming new book Wolves in the Land of Salmon.

As part of our Thursday (Friday!) Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp. 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

December 29, 2011
with Bill Moody, Fire Ecologist, Former Smokejumper Base Manager, Currently Aerial Firefighting Consultant

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.   $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

August 2010 marked the 100 year anniversary of the largest, and one of the deadliest forest fires in United States history –  fires burning approximately 3,000,000 acres of prime virgin timber in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and northern Montana, killing 85 or more people and devastating several towns in its path. It was the perfect conflagration when nature and man’s quest to conquer the forests of the area collided. The Perfect Conflagration, briefly discusses the political scene of the late 1890s-early 1900s and the US Forest Service’s struggle to become established in the west. The focus of the presentation deals with the factors, which by mid-August,  produce the worst forest fire scenario the United States has ever had – and ironically, perhaps, saved the Forest Service and has shaped the US Forest Service fire management program ever since. Could it happen again?

December 22, 2012
Led by Celeste and Kip Roberts, Environmental Educators and Methow Musicians.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

Come dance and drum the night away when Celeste and Kip introduce us to the beat of their drums around the bonfire in the snow.  Help us celebrate the darkest days of the winter and the coming of light in the New Year with musical rhythms, the winter night sky, and the dance of the fire will surely inspire movement and song!

December 15, 2012
With Roger Christophersen, Wildlife Biologist, North Cascades National Park.

As part of our Thursday Soup Night and Presentation Series at the North Cascades Basecamp 5:30 pm soup dinner, 6:00 – 7:30pm presentation.  $5.00 to the public; free to guests.

The American pika (Ochotona princeps) is considered to be a climate change indicator species because of its restricted range and habitat requirements, and sensitivity to high temperatures.  Global warming has already adversely affected pika populations in parts of their geographic range.  Uncertainty about the status of pikas in the North Cascades National Park Complex (NOCA) in north-central Washington led to the initiation of a collaborative study between Beartooth Wildlife Research and NOCA in 2009 and continuing through 2011.  Objectives of the study were to investigate climate, habitat, and human-related factors affecting pika populations, and to establish baselines of pika abundance for future monitoring efforts.  This presentation will discuss pika natural history, research methods using novel technology, exciting preliminary findings and the potential future of pika populations in the North Cascades ecosystem in the context of climate change.

September 30—October 2, 2011
with Maria with Coryell-Martin at the North Cascades Basecamp.
Course Fee  $295/ person includes workshop, 2 nights lodging and 6 meals.   Locals rate $235/ person includes all but lodging.

Explore the vivid hues of autumn in the Methow Valley and develop your confidence for plein-air watercolor painting in this workshop led by Maria Coryell-Martin. Learn techniques for color mixing as well as painting elements of the landscape including wooded forests, expressive skies, and mountains. We will venture outside on the North Cascades Basecamp’s twenty acres of trails through cedar forest, beaver pond wetlands, and along the Methow River. Weather permitting, we will  take a field trip to higher elevations. The Basecamp provides comfortable space indoors for skill-building exercises and developing our field sketches. With the additional amenities of an outdoor hot tub and meals featuring local food, this promises to be both an inspiring and refreshing retreat. All skill levels welcome. Course fee includes lodging for two nights and six meals.

Course Outline

Friday, September 30th
4pm         Participants check-in
6pm         Dinner
7:30pm     Introduction/Presentation/Discussion

Saturday, October 1st
7:30        Breakfast & pack lunch
9am         Depart for art outing (within a 30min drive?)
Noon        Sack Lunch break
3:30pm    Return to Basecamp
4:30pm    Optional art activity
6pm         Dinner
7:30pm    Activity: developing paintings in your studio

Sunday, October 2
7:30        Breakfast
9am         Sketching/Nature/Closing activity Walk around Basecamp
Noon        Lunch & Depart

Please call the North Cascades Basecamp for reservations (509) 996-2334.

See the poster for this event

Sunday, September 18, 2011
at the North Cascades Basecamp
Presentation and Field Trip with Bud Anderson, Peregrine Falcon Research Group

Come watch migrating raptors follow the ridgelines and thermal masses during their fall migration over the heart of the North Cascades Mountains.  A great follow-up presentation and field trip to the Saturday Festival in Pateros and at Chelan Ridge. Come practice your raptor identification, learn about yet another migration route, and enjoy the fall colors with raptors flying overhead.…

Southern Cross Peregrine Project: presentation by Bud Anderson, Director and founder of the Falcon Research Group.
$10/person, 9:00 am
Our presentation will highlight researchers efforts to track peregrine falcons between Chile and the Artic.  Presentation, muffins, coffee/tea.  RSVP appreciated 509/996-2334

Harts Pass Field Trip
Free !  11:00 am – 3:00 pm
This field trip will carpool from the North Cascades Basecamp in Mazama to Harts Pass (13 miles) for raptor migration viewing and identification.  Rough roads to Harts Pass require high clearance vehicles- carpooling available at Basecamp.  Bring your lunch, warm clothing and shoes, water bottles and/or thermos with hot beverage, as well as binoculars, bird-books, spotting scopes and cameras.  Limited registration for up to 30 participants, call 509/996-2334.

May – October
Thursday evenings
5:30pm potluck
6:15-8:00pm presentation and dessert- $5/ person

Throughout this summer, Thursday evenings will be full of fun and adventure for all ages exploring the natural history of North Central Washington.  Come learn about frogs and salamanders living in the wetlands of Mazama, explore riparian forest small mammals and bird diversity, delve into the geology of Goat Wall, learn your medicinal and edible plants and understand the fascinating lives of bats.

Dessert will be served with each presentation.  Bring your blankets and hiking shoes so you are prepared for indoor and outdoor adventures.

Summer Schedule:

26 May            Soils and Life Underground with Dr.Andrew Kulmatisky

2 June              “Riding with Reindeer” book reading with Bob Goldstein

23 June            Frogs and Salamanders presentation & field trip with Julie Grialou

30 June            Riparian area for birds and small mammals with Dr. John Lehmkuhl

7 July               Open House- food, drinks and nature hikes

14 July             Western Gray Squirrel Research and Conservation with Katy Stuart

21 July             Edible and medicinal plants of the Methow with Rosalee de la Forêt

4 August           Bats of North Central WA by Kent Woodruff

11 August         Geology of Goat Wall with Eric Bard

18 August         Live Raptors with WSU Raptor Club

25 August         Mating Systems of Grouse with Dr. Michael Schroeder

1 September     Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with Bernie and Stacey

8 September     TBA

15 September   Music and Dance at the Campfire with Celeste and Kip Roberts

6 Oct                   Fire Ecology with Bill Moody

August 25, 2011
with Dr. Michael Schroeder
at the North Cascades Basecamp,
5:30pm potluck dinner; 6:15-8pm presentation and dessert-$5 /person

Grouse have a variety of mating systems, ranging from monogamy in ptarmigan to extreme polygamy in sage-grouse.  The state of Washington is fortunate to have several resident species, many residing in the Methow Valley.  Join this Grouse and Spouse duo for this week’s Thursday Campfire Presentation where Mike (aka grouse) and Leslie Robb (aka spouse) will share their passions and research about these birds with us.

August 18, 2011
with the WSU Raptor Club
at the North Cascades Basecamp, 5:30pm potluck dinner; 6:15-8pm presentation and dessert-$5 /person.  kids FREE

Join the WSU Raptor club and their feathered friends for a Thursday Campfire Presentation with and about raptors.  They will discuss the ecology of each of the birds, including their personal story of how they came to be residents of the raptor club, characteristics of each species, and why wildlife conservation is so important.   Questions and photographs encouraged.

August 11, 2011
with geologist and educator Eric Bard
at the North Cascades Basecamp, 5:30pm potluck dinner; 6:15-8pm presentation and dessert-$5 /person;  kids FREE

Please join Eric Bard at the North Cascades Basecamp’s Campfire Presentation for a short story about upper valley geology.  We will start with an introduction to Methow geologic history at the campfire and transition to a 1/2 mile hike to an overlook to hammer some rock and learn about Methow geologic history from the great Goat Wall.