This is my second Americorps position, and there are many reasons why I decided to serve another term after my first one. My position title is Wilderness Backcountry Ranger and I currently serve in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the Entiat Ranger District. My main responsibilities as a...
Every job has its ups and downs. Being a backcountry wilderness ranger is no different. Today is a down day. I have a bit of a migraine, and our original trip plans to work our way up the Prince Creek Trail doing logout have been thwarted by the fact that the river that we had expected to cross...
Watch Now Lecture Description: Have you seen Pink Snow? In the spring and summer, melting snowpack may turn pink, this phenomenon is caused by a diverse community of microbes (algae, bacteria, and fungi) specifically adapted to live in the snow. These snow algae blooms are completely natural, but...
Watch Now Lecture Description Although nearly a dozen large, volcanic landforms dominate the Pacific Northwest skyline, there are thousands of volcanoes in the Cascades arc that have been active in the last 2.6 million years. The processes by which these volcanoes drive mountain-building in...
Watch Now Lecture Description In 1915, a groundbreaking (literally!) and iconic tunnel was constructed in the U.S. Piercing basalt cliffs, the tunnel's five arched windows were cut from solid rock and offered sweeping views of the main attraction - the Columbia River Gorge. The original Mitchell...
Watch Now Speaker Bio Kat Brigham is the Chair of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This is her second consecutive term serving as Chair. She has worked within the CTUIR’s Cultural Resource Protection Program, Yellowhawk Tribal Health...
Watch Now Lecture Description In 1980, the western Columbia Gorge’s iconic vistas were on the brink of destruction. The new I-205 bridge would soon link the vulnerable century farms high above the Columbia River in Skamania County to downtown Portland. Every generation since 1907 had tried to...
Watch Now Lecture Description Each summer, the devastating effects of wildfire across the western U.S. dominate news headlines as warmer temperatures, prolonged drought, and lengthier fire seasons contribute to exceptionally high fire risk. In recent decades, the frequency of large wildfires has...
One can engage in few activities more rewarding than meaningful labor done willingly. That is the core of public lands stewardship. I grew up playing in the woods and creeks of western Pennsylvania, but sometime in my teenage years, I lost my connection to the land. After bouncing from one...
Conboy National Wildlife Refuge As a Public Lands Steward with AmeriCorps, I’m stationed at the Conboy National Wildlife Refuge in Glenwood, Washington. Conboy is a refuge hosting various waterfowl, elk, reptiles, amphibians, and many species of birds. The most notable species are Oregon spotted...
Mt. Adams Institute Receives AmeriCorps Grant to Continue Programs Trout Lake, WA - Mt. Adams Institute has received a $1,119,904 grant from AmeriCorps the federal agency responsible for national service and community volunteerism. This funding will support up...
Wet Planet Whitewater is strengthening its commitment to protecting natural resources in the White Salmon River watershed by supporting organizations that provide stewardship service. The Husum, WA whitewater rafting and kayaking company that has hosted the White...