Register Now for Camp Keystone!

By Nathan Zabel
Environmental Education Coordinator

There is still space available to register for NSEA’s summer camp – Camp Keystone! Did you know that salmon are a keystone species? Did you know that a Keystone is literally the stone that keeps a bridge from collapsing? Do you know that summer camp can play a keystone role in your child having an amazingly fun summer?  NSEA’s camp is named in honor of the keystone role of salmon as a food source as well as an important nutrient source to fuel ecosystems across the Pacific Northwest.  We chose an important name because we are going to have big important fun.

Camp Keystone is a place where children 4-6 years old will explore and discover the wonders of the outdoors while instilling a sense of respect and appreciation for the natural world, rooted in salmon education. Each week of camp will feature a unique ecological theme, including “Terrific Trees,” “Things with Wings,” and “Underwater Adventure.” Camp starts on June 21st and will run all summer long, ending on August 20th. Each week of camp is Monday – Friday from 9am – 12pm and will run rain or shine.

While no two days at Camp Keystone are alike, each day will follow a schedule. We’ll kick off the day with a welcome circle featuring a land acknowledgement and movement like salmon yoga! The rest of the day will be spent exploring the outdoors through free play, games, arts and crafts, and activities, all facilitated by NSEA’s Camp Educators. There will be a snack break so we can recharge, and we’ll end the day by sharing our favorite moments.  

We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to utilize NSEA’s campus as an avenue to spark children’s natural curiosity of the outdoors while building social and life skills to foster a lifelong love of leaning and connection with the natural world. Our six-acre campus will provide a place of wonder, discovery, and science! Campers will get to sneak through the trees, play pretend in a magical forest, and explore the plants and animals. Additionally, each week will feature a field trip where campers will be transported to a property located in the forest along Tenmile Creek. There, they will extend their learning and discover lush forests, beaver dams, marshes, ponds, and a beautiful salmon-bearing creek.

 Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your child outdoors this summer to experience hands-on, place-based learning! Register today by visiting n-sea.org/camp-keystone. We are committed to equity and are proud to offer scholarships so Camp Keystone can be accessible.  

For more information about Camp Keystone, please contact Nathan Zabel at nzabel@n-sea.org or call 360-312-3094.

A Monitoring Program grew into so much more

By Sarah Brown
NSEA Environmental Stewardship Coordinator

This summer, we are excited to continue partnering with the US Forest Service to provide one of our most popular community outreach programs, the Nooksack River Stewards. What began as a monitoring program in 2005 has evolved into community-focused initiative that educates and engages Whatcom County residents and visitors on the significance of salmon and the impacts that we humans have on their habitat as we play in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.  We have a summer full of fun, free, and educational family-friendly events planned for you to engage in along the North Fork of the Nooksack River between July and September!

If you are looking for a short hike with beautiful scenery and the sounds and sights of the Nooksack River, join our naturalists for a Guided River Walk at Horseshoe Bend Trailhead. This is a one-hour, half-mile interpretive experience including highlights of everything from the salmon lifecycle to key habitat components and ends with a hands-on look at water quality on a picturesque gravel bar.  This is a perfect event for young and old alike. This trail is so attractive and charming your family won’t even realize they are engaging in science.

For those of you that miss the spirit and camaraderie of Community Work Parties once spring planting season ends, don’t worry! We will have two chances to join our restoration efforts before this fall. Do you know what spotted jewelweed looks like? Learn why invasive vegetation pose a problem to our local salmon populations and how to identify this high priority invasive while removing it from forest lands. Due to limited parking, registration will be required at www.n-sea.org/nooksack-river-stewards.

One surefire way to create family memories is sitting by a campfire and roasting marshmallows. NSEA embraces this fun tradition by hosting Campfire Stories! Meet us at Chair 9 Restaurant & Bar or the Douglas Fir Campground Picnic Shelter to join in on the memory making. If you are more of a morning person, there are a few times that we will be at the Wake ‘n Bakery this summer for Salmon Sundays with the same salmon-themed fun. Memories included.

We look forward to every summer in the forest, especially pink years. Odd numbered years, that is. Nooksack River pink salmon, which spawn every two years, will be returning this summer to spawn the next generation. This gives us a unique opportunity to not only talk about salmon but also to show you the magic of salmon that we are working so hard to protect. A full schedule of summer programming is available on our website and you can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on where we are each weekend. If you want more information or have questions, contact Sarah at sbrown@n-sea.org or call 360-312-3235.