By UW Sustainability | Dec 13, 2018
North Cascades hiking trail

Reconnect Earth, an organization working to create a vibrant movement for a sustainable and socially just society by fostering and growing a network of empowered young leaders, has an opportunity for students to backpack in the North Cacades this summer while learning about ecology and social change. 

The North Cascades are home to a National Park, federal Wilderness Areas, and some of the most diverse ecosystems in North America. These wild places are also sites of ongoing struggles over colonialism, Indigenous sovereignty, and resource extraction. On a Reconnect Earth Trip you’ll hike through ancient forests, climb to alpine lakes, or look down onto glaciers while exploring what it means to work for social justice and environmental sustainability on contested land in the Northwest.

Reconnect Earth Trips will engage your mind as much as your body as we travel up steep mountains and down into glacial valleys while re-conceptualizing our relationships with the land in ways you may never have imagined. No prior hiking or backpacking experience is needed to participate and we are committed to supporting participants with special needs. A strong interest in environmental and/or social justice issues is prefered.

Applications to attend Reconnect Earth’s summer trips will be accepted starting February 1, 2019. If you are interested, sign up at reconnectearth.org/summer and they'll email you reminders and the application link when available.