Easy To Be Green

By Leslie Dickstein

George and Alice Scheil never thought they were reunion types. That was before they attended their first National Wildlife Federation Conservation Summit. Since 1972 the Raytown, Mo., couple has attended 24 N.W.F. summits. This summer will be No. 25. They've scouted for loons in Nova Scotia and hiked their way through Estes Park, Colo., with their children and grandchildren. After all that, they can't imagine a more enlightening way to spend seven days in July. "Once we got hooked, we got hooked," says George Scheil, 74. "It's an excellent program, especially for families with young children. Because that's when you want them to learn about nature."

And learn they do. For one week each summer, families, couples and people of all ages get together to learn about the environment through field trips, hikes and interactive presentations. Kids and adults go their separate ways during the day. While children ages 3 to 17 go on microhikes or wildlife expeditions (there are four adult-supervised camp programs), Mom and Dad get to spend the day birding, learning about astronomy, whale watching or taking a nature writing class. In the late afternoon and evening, everyone regroups for family activities like barbecues, lobster bakes, folk dancing and Native American storytelling.

The headquarters for this year's Northwestern Summit is Washington State's Western Washington University, which rests between the breathtaking peak of Mount Baker and the calm waters of Bellingham Bay. It's an idyllic setting--Alpine meadows, tall pines, unspoiled lakes and miles of hiking trails--and also a great place to learn about the Northwest and its marine environments. You'll take wildlife cruises to Puget Sound, trips to North Cascades National Park and, of course, visits to Mount Baker. Also planned this year are special trips for kayakers, beginners and advanced, and courses about the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest and how the salmon industry has affected the environment, culture and economy. Summit faculty--which this year includes experts from the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service--are drawn from leading teaching and research institutions in the Northwest.

When the N.W.F. Summit is over, many people choose to stay in the area for more exploring. For starters, head back toward 10,778-ft. Mount Baker to take in whatever you couldn't manage to do during the actual summit program. Another good find in Bellingham: Whatcom Falls Park, with its incredible waterfalls, hiking trails, children's fishing pond and fish hatchery. Also fun for the family is Lake Samish Park, which encompasses 39 acres of unspoiled shoreline and is the perfect place to rent paddleboats for an afternoon row. Those with a more adventurous spirit might try one of Alpine Adventures' rafting trips, on Upper Skagit River in North Cascades National Park. The 14-mile white-water trip features plenty of mountain scenery and waterfowl, not to mention some fairly challenging rapids.

During the N.W.F. Summit, accommodations are in dormitory-style two-room suites with a shared bath. Those wishing to extend their stay for a few extra days are welcome to do so; other lodging options include the Holiday Inn Express of Bellingham (800-HOLIDAY or 360-671-4800; kids 19 and under stay free) and Schnauzer Crossing bed-and-breakfast (800-562-2808 or 360-733-0055) if you're looking for something more intimate and upscale. Another good choice would be the Wilkins Farm (360-966-7616), an unpretentious bed-and-breakfast northeast of downtown.

If you're not inclined to go west, the N.W.F.'s Eastern Summit will be held July 4 through 10 in Silver Bay, N.Y., on Lake George. Early-registration rates for both programs are $375 for adults, $300 for teens, $275 for youths and $150 for preschoolers, meals and lodging not included.

--Reported by Jenifer Joseph/Bellingham

With reporting by Jenifer Joseph/Bellingham