Glacial Savings Accounts - All of us who live in the Pacific Northwest are undeniably tied to water. Rain, snow, and ice are part of the landscape's personality. The high country of the North Cascades, where in normal years, 400-700 inches of snow falls on the tall peaks, is one of the snowiest places on earth. This huge quantity of snow has fostered the establishment of glaciers. Glaciers and winter snowpack are like savings accounts of water...

Secret Keepers of the Forest - When exploring a forest, whether in a National Park or your own backyard, it's common to encounter a variety of animals, trees, and water sources among your green surroundings. However, there is one part of this ecosystem that probably would not catch your eye...

Forest Carnivores - As the tawny, long-tailed marten slips through the night forest, it catches a scent no carnivore can resist. In search of prey, the marten climbs a tree but is momentarily blinded by a flash of light. Startled but undaunted, this small forest animal remains focused on its intended meal—raw chicken wrapped in wire and tuna...

Migrating Birds Connect Landscapes and Continents - In North Cascades National Park, autumn is a season of migration for many animals. Decreased daylight, falling temperatures, and diminishing food supplies trigger a primal urge to move. Mountain goats descend to lower ridges, salmon journey from salt water to fresh, and hoary bats venture to warmer climes. But the most remarkable of all travelers are the migratory birds...

The Mountain is a Volcano! - Looming above the Puget Sound lowland, Mount Rainier offers stunning views, a habitat for plants and animals, and numerous recreational opportunities to those living in Washington State. It also provides residents with a constant threat...

Mr. Lewis' Tour to the Pacific - When her son was a boy, Lucy Lewis Marks permitted him to wander and explore the Virginia countryside, where he familiarized himself with the nearby flora and fauna. She also instructed him in the beneficial uses of many eastern plants, instilling the value of curiosity in him at an early age. What she did not know...