Snow to Sea is a three-year outdoor learning journey that follows the path of a water molecule across the Nooksack watershed—from the snowy headwaters of Mount Baker to the saltwater of the Salish Sea. Along the way, every Nooksack Valley Middle School student explores the landscapes that sustain our community—mountains, forests, farms, lakes, creeks, and bays—through hands-on field experiences led by seven community partners in collaboration with the Nooksack Valley School District.
Each step in the pathway builds knowledge, confidence, and connection. Students don’t just study ecosystems—they find their place within them, discovering how human choices shape the health of the river, the sea, and their own futures. Snow to Sea sparks curiosity, belonging, and career inspiration, cultivating the next generation of watershed stewards.
Snow to Sea has been supported through Washington State funds administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). Representative Alicia Rule worked to secure funding for this pathway the past two years, as well as championed House Bill 2078: Outdoor Learning Grants, to expand outdoor education statewide. We are working together to ensure these lifelines of support return in the next biennium.
“I love every part of it, the water, the learning, the environment, everything.”
- 7th Grade Student
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"I think it was fun because I've never experienced any of these places."
- 6th Grade Student
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"It was a lot of fun and I hope to continue this scientific Snow to Sea project."
- 6th Grade Student
