Uncategorized Archives - Winter Wildlands Alliance

Protected: BCFF Virtual Screening – Snowlands 2024-25

Melinda Quick — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:47:22 +0000

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SnowSchool Reaches Rural Communities

Emily Scott — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 17:46:36 +0000

SnowSchool Reaches Rural Communities

SnowSchool is making winter learning come alive for rural students! See how Basin Elementary in Idaho is using snowshoe adventures, citizen science, and a new outdoor yurt to bring hands-on STEM education to life.

Photo Credit Basin Elementary

From Kerry McClay, National SnowSchool Director (2/19/25)

In the heart of Central Idaho, students at Basin Elementary aren’t just bundling up to stay warm—they’re stepping outside to learn.

Throughout January, K-6 students from Basin Elementary in rural Central Idaho ventured out into their local winter wildlands on snowshoes, turning snow-covered forests into living classrooms.

Kindergarteners followed animal tracks in the snow. Fourth graders became citizen scientists, measuring snowpack depth and contributing to real-world research. Meanwhile, 6th graders examined the geospatial variability of mountain snow and discussed nearby SNOTEL data , gaining firsthand insight into the science behind their local watershed.

This hands-on, outdoor learning is part of the district’s years-long effort to integrate SnowSchool’s unique outdoor science explorations across all grade levels. Engaging rural school districts and utilizing the snow right outside of the classroom door has become a top priority for SnowSchool in recent years. The partnership with Basin Elementary is a perfect example of how this vision is coming to life.

A Grassroots Effort with Big Impacts

At the Basin School District this is a project with grassroots beginnings. What started as a snowshoe adventure for Basin’s fourth graders in 2017-18—led by SnowSchool, Boise National Forest hydrologists, and dedicated teachers—has since snowballed into something much bigger.

What has followed in the years since has included a district wide SnowSchool professional development workshop, and ongoing collaboration with snow science researchers and a full STEM School accreditation for Basin Elementary!

Basin Elementary teachers and students alike are feeling the magic of SnowSchool.

We greatly appreciate all of the support you provided to staff and students! This year’s Snow School experience was one of the best for our students! Our teachers learned more about what Snow School should be and they are feeling much more confident for future times. Our students are still talking about it and we are continuing with follow-up lessons!

– Jamie Pilkerton, Basin Elementary Principal

The next generation of snow scientists in Central Idaho are already gearing up for more discoveries ahead!

What’s next?

The next big step for SnowSchool progression at Basin Elementary is just around the corner! This spring, a large yurt will be installed to house outdoor science activities and equipment. This is program model, already used at other SnowSchool sites, has produced amazing results by giving students a dedicated space for SnowSchool. Stay tuned for more updates on this project later this spring!

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Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.

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The Stash Poll—Jan 2025

Emily Scott — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 23:41:33 +0000

January 2025

Whether you’re an “uphill person” or a “downhill person,” it’s important to #SkiKind.

Because whichever camp you fall into, one thing is clear: In skiing and riding we are our best selves. Please take the Ski Kind Pledge this season and share our tips far and wide. Together we can keep the backcountry open, accessible, inclusive, and protected.

The Ski Kind Pledge is our commitment to recreating responsibly and fostering a culture of kindness in the backcountry. From respecting wildlife and minimizing our impact to keeping our stoke high and our egos low, this pledge reminds us that how we show up in winter landscapes matters.

PLEDGE TO SKI KIND

Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.

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SnowSchool Grows Up!

Emily Scott — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 20:17:02 +0000

SnowSchool Grows Up!

Program alumni share SnowSchool’s lasting influence on their lives and early careers

Ashley Phillips, SWEP Project Director works with SnowSchool students outside the Winter Discovery Center Yurt. Photo courtesy of SWEP

From Kerry McClay, National SnowSchool Director (12/6/24)

As Winter Wildlands Alliance’s National SnowSchool program celebrates its 25th season, we’re reflecting on the profound impact it’s had over the years. Since its inception, SnowSchool has reached over 500,000 students across dozens of communities, and many of those students are now spreading the impact far and wide.

With so many former students now grown— pursuing college, careers, and their own outdoor adventures—we’ve begun collecting stories about the accomplishments of our former SnowSchool kids. In this first installment of “SnowSchool Grows Up,” I caught up with two former students at our longtime SnowSchool site in Tahoe City, California, hosted by Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (also known locally as the Winter Discovery Center Yurt). Meet Koson Verkler and Lily Murnane. They are both in their final years of college, have already amassed amazing accolades, and are both dreaming big!

Photo credit Koson Verkler

Koson Verkler

Koson Verkler is a senior at the University of Montana, majoring in Forestry with a minor in fire science and management. Growing up in North Lake Tahoe, Koson participated in SnowSchool programs at the Winter Discovery Center during his elementary and middle school years.

“I think of that as the start of my science career,” said Verkler. “It was my first immersion in science based education and I remember learning about hydrology and snow and how the experience coincided with the drought in Tahoe. We were learning about the environment, in the environment.”

Koson loves backpacking, Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, road biking, hiking, camping and wanted to choose a career path that would always allow him to be outside. Koson credits his love for the outdoors with being immersed in nature at a young age by his parents and the adults in his life. He emphasized the importance of education programs like SnowSchool in remove barriers to outdoor exploration.

“On those days everyone became an outdoorsy person because they had everything we needed from gear to clothing”.

Koson found his way to The University of Montana and Forestry after traveling to campus and meeting with a family friend and science professor on campus.

For his summer job, Koson works with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as a lead member of the Helitack crew out of Missoula. Now in his 3rd season as a crew member, his team mostly focuses on quickly responding to new fires in Western Montana. He recently received an Incident Commander Type 5 certification and hopes this will open doors and continue to improve his skills and experience. Looking ahead, Koson plans to continue working in fire management, with an eye toward graduate school in ecology.

“I think I’ll be in fire for a few more years, but then I think it would be awesome to go back to graduate school, maybe in ecology.”

Koson has keen interest in pro active fire management and supporting and helping bring back Indigenous knowledge and burning techniques. He currently works on prescribed burning in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy in Western Montana.

Photo credit Lily Murnane

Lily Murnane

Lily Murnane is on the Division 1 Nordic Ski Team at Montana State University and is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Coaching. Lily also competes for the Australian National Nordic Team where her mother was born.

Lily grew up in Tahoe City CA, and as an elementary and middle school student, she attended programs at the SnowSchool site at the Winter Discovery Center. Lily remembers her early SnowSchool days fondly.

“I remember them packing all of us in a bus, driving us to the yurt so we could explore topics around snow and natural sciences. We always talked about what we can do for the environment and we always had fun in nature. It was an amazing opportunity to get out of the classroom.”

For her love of winter and the outdoors, Lily credits the her access to nature and the example set by adults in her life.

“I grew up having access to trails and nature right out my back door. Being outside is the most fun … it certainly was growing up. The snow… Some people think there is a limit… but there really isn’t. It’s such a different experience in winter. I grew up with a community of people and my parents who loved and ran the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area.”

Those early lessons in stewardship have stuck with her.

“If we don’t protect snowscapes and our climate it affects the entire sport. We really need to increase awareness and work to protect the places we ski.”

As Lily looks toward her final collegiate season, her goals are ambitious.

“It is my senior year and I am shooting for a Top 20 in my college racing circuit. I was introduced to the Australian racing scene through my mom, and I’ve been connected with and racing for the Australian National Team since. I want to keep that up and try to qualify for the World Cup. Also one of my goals is to compete in the World U23 Championships in Italy this year.”

After graduation, Lily plans to explore a career in coaching and possibly pursue graduate school.

Photo courtesy of SWEP

Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.

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The Stash Poll—May 2024

Emily Scott — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:44:27 +0000

May 2024

Whatever your spring season outdoor plans are, please keep in mind….

If you can keep up your good winter practices all year long, you can do so as our public lands start to “Green Up” this spring!

“Green up” is when, after a long winter, there is finally green vegetation on the landscape again. This means more (and higher quality) food for wildlife.

Animals are at the very end of their energy reserves in spring, so just because it looks like deer, elk, and antelope are “out of the woods,” they’re still trying to bulk up and recover. Continue to give them space!

Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.

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Members – April Fools – 2024

Emily Scott — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:58 +0000

Happy April Fools’ Day

Yes, these updates are fake! Now you’re in on our joke!

Don’t worry SnowSchool is not being rebranded as SoilSchool and the Backcountry Film Festival is not becoming a silent film only program!

Today, we’re taking April 1 as a chance to celebrate the lighter side of life with a special April Fools’ edition of our Stash Blast. While our work tends to keep us serious, we believe in infusing our workdays with joy and positivity whenever we can. April Fools’ Day gives us the perfect opportunity to share a laugh with our amazing community of wild winter enthusiasts.

We hope these jokes brought a smile to your face! As a current member, we are grateful for your support and your role in our Alliance. May the force be with you just like our JEDI Committee!

-Winter Wildlands Alliance Staff

Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.

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Protected: BCFF Virtual Screening – Wild Bear 2024

Melinda Quick — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:22:28 +0000

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Protected: BCFF Virtual Screening – TBCA 2023-24

Melinda Quick — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:39:07 +0000

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Protected: BCFF Virtual Screening – HCCA 2023-24

Melinda Quick — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 22:56:14 +0000

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Protected: BCFF Virtual Screening – Snowlands Network 2023-24

Melinda Quick — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 18:26:19 +0000

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