Tour Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass

Get outdoors and learn about winter ecology snowshoeing on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest January through March. No experience is necessary and the Forest Service provides snowshoes. Participants should wear layered and insulated clothing, hats and gloves with sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots, hats and gloves. To offset the costs of the program a donation of $10 per person is suggested for all tours except the extended hike and photography outing at Snoqualmie Pass, where $20 is requested.

STEVENS PASS
Make reservations Jan. 8-Feb. 26 at Skykomish Ranger District, 360-677-2414. Trips for special events and school groups can also be scheduled. Sultan Shuttle offers transportation from Sultan to the resort. Check http://www.stevenspass.com/Stevens/the-mountain/sultan-shuttle.aspx  for fees and schedules. 

Introductory Snowshoeing
Sat. Sun., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Learn about the history of the area, the winter ecosystem and wildlife on this beginning walk.
Group size: 20

SNOQUALMIE PASS
The 90-minute walk and extended snowshoe trips run Jan. 8-March 31, the winter photography and ecology outings Jan. 21-March 31 and the “Kids in the Snow” program Feb. 4-March 31. Make reservations at 509-852-1062 before Jan. 2; and 425-434-6111 afterwards. Trips for special events and school groups can also be scheduled. Meet 15 minutes early at the visitor’s center off I-90, exit 52 on Snoqualmie Pass.

Interpretive 90-Minute Walk
Sat. Sun. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m.
Learn about winter ecosystem, wildlife and safety.
Group size 20

Extended Half-Day Hikes
Fri. Sat. Sun. 9:30 a.m.
Experience Commonwealth Basin in the winter surrounded by the Cascade crest peaks.
Group size 10

Winter Photography & Ecology Outings
Jan. 21, Feb. 4, 18, March 3, 17, 31, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Capture winter nature on film while learning about ecology.
Group size 6

"Kids in the Snow"
Feb. 4-March 31, Sat. 1 p.m.
Earn a Junior Ranger Snow badge! Learn about tracking, crawl into a snow cave and check out a snow crystal with a magnifier.
Group size 20

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Thurston County Stream Team are teaming up to celebrate the return of chum salmon to McLane Creek. This public celebration will be Sunday, November 20, from noon to 2 p.m. at the McLane Creek Nature Trail located off of Delphi Road.
Who:            Everyone is invited
What:           Celebrating the return of the chum salmon
When:           November 20, 2011, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where:          The McLane Creek Nature Trail
Directions:     Go to www.streamteam.info
Each year thousands of chum salmon make the long journey home from the ocean to McLane Creek to spawn. The McLane Creek Nature Trail, part of Capitol State Forest and managed by DNR, offers excellent viewing of this native wild run of salmon.
Stream Team Salmon Stewards will give guided tours from DNR’s new covered shelter to the viewing platform. Hot cider and snacks will be provided, plus some hands-on learning activities. The celebration will take place rain or shine. Visitors are advised to come dressed for the weather and to wear sturdy boots or shoes. Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged.
For additional information, contact Ann Marie Finan at 360-754-3355, ext. 6857, or visit the Stream Team website at www.streamteam.info.

Please note, the McLane Creek Nature Trail is part of the Capitol State Forest and is a DNR recreation site. Beginning July 1, 2011, vehicles are required to display a Discover Pass when visiting state recreation lands managed by DNR and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. For information about how to purchase a $10-per-day pass or $30 annual pass, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov
Stream Team is sponsored by the storm and surface water utilities of Thurston County, Tumwater, Lacey and Olympia. Stream Team is a volunteer-based program that protects and enhances local streams, creeks, and rivers in Thurston County.
 

Washington is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. Grizzly bears are rare in Washington, but a small population exists in the Selkirk Mountains of northeast Washington, and their presence has been documented in the Okanogan Highlands and the North Cascades. Black bears are abundant in the west, northeast and the Blue Mountains in southeast Washington. Approximately 25,000 black bears are estimated to occur within Washington. They are a game species and are hunted annually. In any given year, approximately 29,000 hunters take about 1,300 black bears.

Grizzly bears are a federally threatened and state-listed endangered species. Killing one, either unintentionally or intentionally, can bring extremely costly fines and penalties. Just like with other similar looking game species such as elk, moose, caribou, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and others animal groups, Washington hunters are responsible for being able to tell the difference between black and grizzly bears. This knowledge and skill is critical in areas where the ranges of these two bear species overlap

This identification program is intended to prevent the killing of grizzly bears as a result of mistaken identity. Test your knowledge with a 16 question true or false quiz.  Go to DNR Website for more information and to take the quiz.  DNR BEAR WEBSITE.