North Cascades Spring Naturalist Seminar

When: May 01, 2026 10:00 AM to
May 03, 2026 02:00 PM
Where: North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
Instructor: Chris Byrd
Activity Level: 4.0
Minimum Age: 12
Triple Accommodations: 345.00
Double Accommodations: 485.00
Single Accommodations: 625.00
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Can I eat this? Why do trillium change color as spring unfolds? What do mushrooms have to do with healthy forests? Why are salmonberries among the first ripe berries each year? Is this even a plant?

Black bear scat from feeding on Pacific crab apple; photo by Chris Byrd

As deciduous forests leaf out and spring comes fully alive, join naturalist and educator Chris Byrd for an immersive seminar focused on native plants of the Pacific Northwest and the ecological relationships that connect them. Designed with naturalist training in mind, this course emphasizes careful observation, pattern recognition, and ecological context. We’ll head out on the trails, building familiarity with both common and lesser-known plant species across a range of habitats.

Columbia lily; photo by Chris Byrd

In the field, we’ll practice plant identification alongside foundational naturalist skills—learning how to read seasonal cues, recognize plant–fungal and plant–animal relationships, and understand how plants respond to light, soil, moisture, and climate. Discussion will include ecology, edibility, and ethical field practices, with ample time for questions, note-taking, and shared learning.

Northern alligator lizard; photo by Chris Byrd

This seminar is well suited for aspiring naturalists, educators, outdoor professionals, and experienced enthusiasts seeking to deepen their field skills. Participants will leave with practical, transferable tools for observing, interpreting, and communicating the living landscape—strengthening their ability to notice and understand the rich plant life of the Pacific Northwest.

Black bear cambium feeding; photo by Chris Byrd

Scholarships and Student, Military and Disability discounts are available for most in-person programs. Call (360) 854-2599 for more info!

Top image: beaver killed by cougar; photo by Chris Byrd

Learning Center Accommodations

Single, Double, Triple and Quad Accommodations are for families and groups who wish to guarantee lodging with specific individuals during their stay. Triple and Quad Accommodations will require use of an upper bunk, accessible by an easy-to-use ladder. Hostel pricing is the cost for sharing a room with up to three other participants. The number of occupants per room (1-4) will be determined based on the total number of hostel guests each night. We do not guarantee a room with your requested roommate under this option, and you may be lodged in a mixed gender room. Please do not select this if you have participants under 18 in your group.

The Learning Center campus features classrooms, a dining hall, a library, outdoor learning shelters, trails, a canoe dock and an amphitheater. Our three guest lodges have shared gender-specific bathrooms with showers and each room contains two sets of twin bunk beds, desks, wardrobes and wireless internet connectivity. Facilities and local trails are all ADA accessible and a personal mobility vehicle is available. Delicious, healthy meals incorporating local and organic foods are provided in our dining hall. If you have special dietary requirements or food allergies, we will gladly attempt to accommodate them with advance notice. Sorry, but we cannot accommodate pets.

Registration

To register online, click the Register Now button on this page:

By phone, call (360) 854-2599 with your VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card ready.

Or by mail, download and mail a registration form with your credit card information or personal check.

Event Details

Learning Center Accommodations

Registration