I still remember the day I first heard of Mount Rainier National Park. To be fair it wasn’t long ago. Embarrassingly, I had never heard of Mount Rainier until I applied for this job last winter. Although I’d once been to Olympic National Park when...
"As we Americans celebrate our diversity, so we must affirm our unity if we are to remain the 'one nation' to which we pledge allegiance. Such great national symbols and meccas as the Liberty Bell, the battlefields on which our independence was won and our...
Today’s story doesn’t start at Mount Rainier National Park. It begins in Utah, at Zion National Park, many years ago. I was pretty young, but already obsessed with nature, especially birds. In particular, it was my dream to see my first wild Peregrine falcon. Thanks...
When I say “subalpine meadow monitoring,” I can guess the image that appears in your mind. The first time I heard about our season-long project, I was picturing rolling green Sound of Music hills, complete with frolicking and wildflowers and birdsong. And while we do...
Is tonight a clear summer moonless sky? Yes? Then if you’re in Seattle, stand outside at night and look directly above you. If you’re in the dark skies of one of Washington’s three national parks, do the same but just at sunset. This will make...
Almost all of us have picked up enough facts about how our world turns through space just by existing. Most of us forget our observations–for example, we see the Sun every day, so we never pay enough attention to know where it will be in...
And just like that, summer of 2022 has come and gone! We have entered the beautiful autumn, where the morning air is cool and crisp, and the deciduous trees are starting to show us their unmistakable autumn colors. Just like how each season can teach us...
Songs of the Week: "Insomniac" by Memo Boy and "Witches" by Alice Phoebe Lou Hey y'all! It's been a while hasn't it? Since it's been a while since we talked let me tell you about what's been going on at Rocky and in my life since...
Photo of myself halfway to Sourdough Lookout! This season there has been a lot of growth. Not only by the plants here at the native plant restoration program, but myself too. I have expanded current skills, and gained new ones. I have learned more about...
Summer is in full swing here at the North Cascades. We have had many weeks where temperatures have been in the high 90s or low 100s! Fires are throwing smoke in the air, and the warmer weather is attracting more visitors. Luckily, we have yet...