For a century, this all-volunteer team has provided lifesaving search and rescue support in the mountains and wild places of the Pacific Northwest. From the icy slopes of Mount Hood to the steep canyons of the Columbia River Gorge, the Crag Rats have rescued injured climbers on Eliot Glacier, helped hikers stranded during wildfires in Eagle Creek, and searched for missing hunters as far away as Olympic National Park.

Whether you’re a hiker, land steward, or just snake-curious, this talk will offer practical tips for coexisting with rattlesnakes and a deeper appreciation for their subtle yet vital presence on the landscape. Adrian Slade will share more about these creature’s fascinating biology, annual rhythms, complex social lives, and strong fidelity to den sites passed down through generations. Learn how they respond to wildfire, habitat changes, and human pressures—and how their presence signals a healthy landscape.

Sense of Place begins the new year with More Than A Fish: Stories of Salmon and Sovereignty in the Pacific Northwest with Dylan Hedden-Nicely. The conversation will take place at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon on January 21st. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. A livestream option is available to all ticket holders.

The evening will feature writer and longtime forest advocate Rand Schenck, who will explore how the ideals of Gifford Pinchot, the founding chief of the U.S. Forest Service were shaped, and often misunderstood during the past century of forest management.

Krista Cushman, forager and educator will take us on a journey into the world of fungi, from the mycelium threads weaving through our forests to the seasonal beauty of local mushrooms.

Mt. Adams Institute’s Sense of Place event series kicks off its 16th season on Wednesday, October 8 with Woven in Place: A Rancher’s Journey from Sheep to Fashion and the Olympics at Columbia Center for the Arts.

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