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 always had an unconditional...
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 technician jobs and exploring the...
Environmental Educator for the Willamette Resources and Educational Network
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 as an EMT for the city of Brockton...
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. Once I started at Oregon State...
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 college major at University of...
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 graduated high school, I started...
This year has been more than I ever thought it could be and then some serving with the Mount Adams Institute and the Forest Service. Between all the hard work, amazing sights, and just as amazing people to work with, what more could a guy ask for? In the beginning, I wasn’t sure what to expect on...
Coming into the Mt Adams Institute Land Stewards Program after fulfilling a previous AmeriCorps Internship I was very excited to see where this position would take me. Not only would I be doing my mainstay of Forest Service work as a Wilderness Ranger, but I would also be learning and honing other...
The following three haiku are a reflection of my experience so far. They are meant to come one after another, with no more separation than the physical indentation that is between them. tossing and turning the storm wants to chat... maybe for an hour my head in my hands, I wept on this...
The year started off slowly but that gave me plenty of time to get familiar with Juneau and Forest Service systems. I had great opportunities to gain some GIS familiarity, learn about the mines that we work with, learn about the culture and history of southeast...
Alexander Apelis here, a Vetswork intern with the Petersburg Ranger District serving as a Natural Resource Specialist Intern. In this picture, at Duncan Creek Fish Pass on Kupreanof Island NE of Petersburg, AK, I'm seen picking up a 100+ lb boulder that was found...
I grew up in the city of Billings, MT, where I first started exploring hiking and backpacking with my dad. We spent many summer weekends in the nearby Beartooth Mountains, enduring all kinds of weather while experiencing the powerful solitude of that rugged...
What sandy trails and drain dips taught me about life. As my crew walked along the trail, our sights set on a big project about a mile ahead, I noticed a large sandy section through a low point in the trail. As we passed by it, I addressed my confusion regarding...
A haiku about my site Green canopy spreads Umatilla's tranquil grace Nature's grace thrives Michael anzivino
Though intimidating at first, this field season has started off wonderfully. With this position (Biotech at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge) being my first-ever field job, I knew I had much to learn. And that I have. The focus of Conboy Lake’s conservational...
My time working on the Entiat trail crew so far has been some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. Every day, I’m awed at the fact that I’m lucky enough to do work that I love in such beautiful places that many people may never get to see. I have learned so...
The Chelan Ranger District is such a unique place to work. Chelan itself is hot and dry with rolling hills typical of Eastern/central Washington, yet when you get on the boat and take a ride uplake into the wilderness; the landscape takes a dramatic change. The...
Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge features a unique collection of flora and fauna set in a beautiful valley southeast of Mt. Adams. Most notably, the refuge is home to the endangered Oregon Spotted Frog (OSF), Sandhill Cranes, and Mardon Skipper Butterflies. While...
Everyone seems to want to know what a typical day in the life of an interpretative ranger on the Mt. Hood National Forest might entail; it is my intense pleasure to tell them I do not ever have a typical day. The flexibility and creativity of my position allows me to...