by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
Hello, my name is Jacob Kauzlarich, but I like to go by Jake. I was born 20 minutes outside of Saint Louis on the east side of the Mississippi River. My family and I moved to North Carolina in 2017, where I started my first semester at the University of North Carolina...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
My name is Grace Leonard, and I was born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. I’ve been playing outside my entire life; whether it be hiking, biking, camping, etc., I’m always trying to find new places to explore. I got my degree...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
I grew up in Billings, Montana, and spent relatively little time in the outdoors outside of sports until college. I attended Rocky Mountain College until injuring my knee for the third time my freshman year. Once I had recovered from knee surgery, I began exploring...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
My name is Elijah. My childhood was split between the deserts of Arizona and the mountains of northern Idaho. My immediate family consists of my mother, father, and my sister. I have always loved Nature and felt a very strong connection to it. I love hiking, cycling,...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
My name is Taylor Eigenhuis, but everyone has been calling me Creature or Critter since I was younger, so I’ve since embraced those nicknames as well. I’m 22 years old and was born and raised in Ventura, California, with my parents and two brothers. Growing up, I’ve...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
I am originally from Dillon, Colorado, and moved to Eugene, Oregon, in September. I graduated from Western Colorado University in Gunnison with a bachelor’s degree in studio arts with an emphasis in painting. Some of my favorite things to do in the outdoors are...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
I’m originally from the metro Boston area, and I grew up in Massachusetts. After high school, I took a NOLS course in Wyoming, and that cemented my love for the outdoors and sparked an interest in wilderness medicine. After returning to my home state, I served...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
Environmental Educator for the Willamette Resources and Educational Network
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
Hi everyone, I’m Sienna! I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and grew up with a love for the natural world around me. I graduated with my B.S. in Biology from the University of Central Florida in 2022. Since then, I’ve spent my time working various seasonal...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | Field Notes, VetsWork Fire, VWF 2023
I grew up in Northern California, spending time in Placer and Nevada County. Growing up, I always enjoyed the adventure and open terrain of the outdoors, spending a lot of my time snowboarding, fishing, camping, and playing music. I graduated from Colfax High School,...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
My love for the outdoors started as a Boy Scout in Massachusetts, but I came to love outdoor recreation and adventure education during my gap year. I got to travel and learn about new sports and skills like mountaineering, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and teaching....
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | Field Notes, VetsWork Fire, VWF 2023
I am James Tucker. I’m 32 years old, and I haven’t lived anywhere longer than six years. I’ve lived in a lot of places, and Denver and southern Germany are my favorites. I have a family history of military service, and I was in the Navy for two years...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
Growing up in Colorado, I developed a strong affinity for the outdoors from a young age. Hiking, camping, fishing, etc. all were my primary outlets for connecting with nature. This connection led quickly to a passion for preservation and when it came time to choose a...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | Field Notes
Looking for something fun to do with the kiddos this weekend? Well, consider yourself lucky because we happen to live in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful regions in the entire country! Why not hit the trails and embark on an exciting hiking journey together?...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 22, 2023 | LS 2023
I grew up on a small farm in rural Nebraska. From a young age, I was taught to appreciate the outdoors and to take care of the land that takes care of us. Most of my free time is spent backpacking, hiking, camping, and generally spending time outdoors. Once I...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Apr 15, 2023 | Board Member
Board Member | Member Since 2017 Elizabeth has worked for the federal government, NOAA Fisheries, and the U.S. Forest Service in natural resources conservation for over 30 years as a biologist, policy advisor, and program administrator. She moved to the upper Hood...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Apr 15, 2023 | Field Notes
Board Member | Member Since 2020 Annette worked in the technology industry for 25 years, with the last 20 at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, Oregon. Her roles focused on Product Marketing, Project Management, Branding, and Education. She and her husband moved to the...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Apr 15, 2023 | Board Member
Member Since 2021 Gala is the former Chief of Interpretation at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, former executive director of Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center, and current Public Affairs Officer at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. ...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Apr 15, 2023 | Board Member
President | Member Since 2021 Rick is an Army veteran who retired after 27 years of active service. Upon his retirement, he spent 13 years as a consultant offering facilitative and process leadership to federal, state, and tribal collaborative efforts involved with...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Apr 15, 2023 | Board Member
Board Member | Member Since 2019 I grew up in the small farming town of Sherwood, Oregon, about 20 minutes outside of Portland. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Oregon and majored in English while also completing the requirements to become...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Feb 13, 2023 | Executive Director
I gaze up at the ornate pine cone carvings decorating the beams within the great hall of Menucha Retreat Center, where Mt. Adams Institute is hosting our VetsWork orientation. Saying “our” is still not natural for me in my new role as the Executive...
