North Cascades Basecamp launches its annual soup-and-something-interesting series on Thursday (Jan. 14) with a presentation by local biologist Kent Woodruff about the Methow Beaver Project.
All of the Thursday night events begin with soup at 5:30 p.m. ($7 per person) followed by the program at 6 p.m. Coming up:
• Jan.21: Celeste and Kip Roberts lead a drum-and-song circle around a Basecamp bonfire to welcome the lengthening days and invite the snow goddesses to bring us plenty.
• Jan. 28: Joe Scott with Conservation Northwest will talk about the reintroduction of grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem.
• Feb. 4: Jeff Heinlen, assistant wildlife biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Region 2, has been studying loons throughout Okanogan county for years and will share his love of these special birds.
• Feb. 11: Gabe Spence, a graduate student at Washington State University, presents his research studying wolves and their predation in areas where livestock occur in eastern Washington.
The Basecamp is also offering Saturday educational sessions for kids ages 5 – 12. The sessions cost $15 per student ($12 for an additional sibling), are from 10 a.m. – noon, and include outdoor exploration, art activities and snacks. Coming up:
• Jan. 16: “Think Twice About Ice: Ice and Snow Ecology”
• Jan. 23: “Birds of Winter”
• Jan. 30: “Winter Whereabouts: Migration and Habitats”
• Feb. 6: “Super Species: Tracking and Adaptations”
On Feb. 13 and 14, join Basecamp co-owner Steve Bondi for a free day of birding to celebrate the Audubon Society’s19th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count.
For information about any of the sessions, call 996-2334 or visit www.northcascadesbasecamp.com.