Lovin’ the Alaska Weather

Lovin’ the Alaska Weather

This Picture is a great example of the weather in Ketchikan Alaska. A beautiful and sunny day turns cloudy and rainy, then turns back to sun. If the weather is going to deter your spirit, then Southeast Alaska isn’t the place for you. I for one have fallen in love...
Horses, Newborns, and Sustainability

Horses, Newborns, and Sustainability

I am halfway through my second term with VetsWork and I’m feeling grateful for the opportunity that Mt. Adams Institute has given me. I’m serving at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee. My first term was spent bouncing around...
The Concise Memoir of Patrick Ford

The Concise Memoir of Patrick Ford

Greetings, welcome to the concise memoir of Patrick Ford, an AmeriCorps intern at the Andrew Pickens Ranger District (AP). Walk with me as I take you on a journey through the mountain range of South Carolina and the incredible time I’ve had while working with the...
You Just Have to Take a Leap

You Just Have to Take a Leap

When the pandemic hit, I was living in Minneapolis, MN and working as a corporate copywriter in the healthcare industry. I slowly realized that I needed a change. A year and a half later, my life could not be more different. I never thought I’d be working in the...
Ice Cave Explorers

Ice Cave Explorers

During the last day of the eight- to twelve-year-old camp, Outdoor Explores, we took the Campers to the Ice Caves nearby campus. Taking a large group of this age group into a pitch-black cave with slippery ice as flooring, meant we had to be absolutely positive that...
Easing Back into the World

Easing Back into the World

Although this is my second year serving as an AmeriCorps intern at Mt. Adams institute, this is my first experience working here at the camp, in-person with the campers and fellow counselors. I began my time with the program last summer, right in the middle of the...
The Importance of Wetlands

The Importance of Wetlands

The WREN office is located in the West Eugene Wetlands and a large part of our curriculum focuses on wetland ecology. Over the last few months, I have learned about the importance of wetlands: they improve water quality through filtering sediments and pollutants, they...
Ready to Fight Fires

Ready to Fight Fires

During these past 12 weeks regained and sharpened the skills I need to become a successful wildland fire fighter. I have been re-certified for and relearned how to utilize pumps, use tools for cutting lines, and using chainsaws to fall, limb and buck trees. This has...
Ellen Thompson

Ellen Thompson

Ellen grew up in Arcata, California surrounded by redwoods and close to the ocean. During her free time, Ellen enjoys exploring the forest and surfing the waves of the Pacific. She loves visiting National Parks where she has seen amazing rock structures, giant trees,...
Alumni Interview – Robyn Reeder

Alumni Interview – Robyn Reeder

Congratulations to former Public Lands Stewards (PLS) Intern Robyn Reeder! She is the new Biotechnician at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Our Outreach Coordinator Trevor was lucky enough to sit down and talk with Robyn about her new position and how PLS helped...
Am I Still on the River?

Am I Still on the River?

In honor of Great Outdoors Month, our AmeriCorps Program Director Aaron Stanton shared this thrilling story of his rescue on the river. “In 2018 I had the good fortune to raft and kayak the Grand Canyon.  The trip did not end the way I would have liked, but it...
Learning the Alaska Lifestyle

Learning the Alaska Lifestyle

Alaska, known as the last frontier, conjurers visions of adventure and captivating landscapes. I am excited to be living the dream while participating in the VetsWork program while here with the Chugach National Forest supervisor’s office in Anchorage, Alaska. I am...