For Frank So, serving on the Mt. Adams Institute Board has always come back to one thing: connecting people who care about nature with the places that need their care. 🌲

Frank joined the Board because he saw MAI as a unique kind of public service, creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and help conserve the forests, parks, and natural resources we all share.

Some of his favorite moments have been hearing directly from participants as they graduate, sharing the funny stories, meaningful lessons, and experiences they gained while working alongside colleagues and experts in the field.

“Personally, it’s been gratifying to see how we can bring our neighbors together to care for something we all value, our forests, parks and natural resources, and learn to be good stewards of our future.”

Thank you, Frank, for being part of the MAI story and helping champion a future built on stewardship, service, and connection. 💚

#landstewardship #nationalforest #troutlakewa

David Wickwire remembers meeting with Brendan Norman and Amanda Lawrence around 2011 in a tiny space in Hood River, putting together what he describes as a “skeleton plan” for what would eventually become Mt. Adams Institute.

What followed was years of partnership between MAI and the Mt. Adams Ranger District.

For David, a big part of what kept that partnership going was trust. Year after year, MAI helped connect the Ranger District with Land Stewards and VetsWork interns who brought hard work, positive attitudes, and a willingness to jump in wherever they were needed.
In fact, David says this year has been one of the most memorable. Five interns have been working across the district, logging out trails, improving recreation sites, and helping accomplish work that otherwise may not have gotten done.

MAI also helped the Forest Service navigate some of the challenges of bringing on seasonal workers, particularly during years when traditional government funding wasn’t available.

Looking back, though, what David says he’ll remember most is having a partner that was willing to find a way to help.

From those early conversations in Hood River to more than a decade of interns, projects, and partnership, we’re grateful to David and the Mt. Adams Ranger District for being part of MAI’s story.

#forestranger #forestservice #landstewardship #mtadams

For Heather Weisfield, the story of Mt. Adams Institute began before MAI even existed.

Heather was the Individual Placement Coordinator at Northwest Service Academy, working alongside a team of enthusiastic young people who were doing meaningful work for our forests while gaining experience that could lead to careers in natural resources.

When NWSA eventually became Mt. Adams Institute under Brendan Norman’s leadership, Heather’s connection to the work continued. She joined the MAI Board and served for about four years.

Years later, the connection became a family one when her son, Aaron Stanton, joined the MAI team and eventually became Executive Director.

As we reflect on the many years of work that began with NWSA and continued through MAI, Heather’s story is a reminder that the impact reaches far beyond any one program or organization. It lives on in the careers, relationships, communities, and people shaped along the way.

Thank you, Heather, for sharing your memories and for being part of this story.

#stories #mtadams #giffordpinchot