When AmeriCorps VetsWork intern Emily Kosterman signed on to serve with the U.S. Forest Service, she never imagined she’d play a role in selecting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Building Bridges: Taryn’s Path from Military Service to Environmental Restoration
Meet Taryn Oseen, a VetsWork intern with NOAA’s Restoration Center who embodies the mission of creating connections—between people, nature, and professional growth. As a Navy veteran pursuing a career in environmental science, Taryn joined the program to gain real-world experience and close the gap between academic training and career readiness.
End-of-Year Giving Campaign: Invest in Connection to Change Lives
Changing lives and the landscape one internship at a time.
2024 VetsWork: Valentin Pulido
I grew up in South Florida where I took to marketing and media production at a very young age. I workedas an Aviation Electrician upon enlisting in the Navy. While the work was rewarding, I had a particularliking to photography and eventually studied graphic design. I am passionate about...
2024 VetsWork: Joshua Leventhal
I grew up in Salem, Oregon, with my brother, mother, and stepfather. I lived in Salem until I joined the U.S. Navy, where I served as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic) for eight years in various locales/environments. Most of that time was spent with the U. S. Marine Corps, attached to multiple infantry...
2024 VetsWork: Deonza Mohamed
My name is Deonza Mohamed. I was born and raised in California. I am a U.S. Navy Veteran with 16 years of military service. My main job while serving was satellite communications. I am a lifelong university professional currently working on my fifth college degree in Biological Sciences. I am...
2024 VetsWork: Sean West
Hello, my name is Sean West. My mother instilled an appreciation for the outdoors and our public lands when I was growing up. From rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking, to a simple overnight car camping trip, we eagerly explored the Midwest, where I was raised. When I entered the Air Force...
2024 VetsWork: Logan Walker
Hi! My name is Logan Walker. I split my youth between the fields of South Georgia and the Appalachian Mountains. I was always an outdoorsy kid, but my love for the natural environment really took off when I moved to the mountains. I quickly fell into a wonderful group of educators and students,...
2024 VetsWork: Darrell Miller
Greeting and salutations, my name is Darrell. I was born in Lawton, OK and spent most my life moving state from state. Before graduating high school, I'd already lived in nine states and attended dozens of different schools. This upbringing gave me an adaptive mindset that served me well while...
2024 VetsWork: Colton Long
My name is Colton. I grew up in Northern Michigan, so an internship with one of the various locations of the Forest Service in the US felt like a great choice. I was raised to fish and hunt, and time on the water felt right. I was in the medical services while serving in the United States Air...
Behind the Scenes: How a Mt. Adams Institute Intern Helped Select the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
When AmeriCorps VetsWork intern Emily Kosterman signed on to serve with the U.S. Forest Service, she never imagined she’d play a role in selecting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
A Jack of All Leaves
Jessica Rodriguez reflects on her transformative journey as an MAI Land Stewards intern, From wielding chainsaws to exploring fire ecology, her experiences at Mt. Hood have reshaped her career goals and deepened her connection to the outdoors. Join her as she shares how this season of learning and growth has sprouted new possibilities for her future.
Building Bridges: Taryn’s Path from Military Service to Environmental Restoration
Meet Taryn Oseen, a VetsWork intern with NOAA’s Restoration Center who embodies the mission of creating connections—between people, nature, and professional growth. As a Navy veteran pursuing a career in environmental science, Taryn joined the program to gain real-world experience and close the gap between academic training and career readiness.
End-of-Year Giving Campaign: Invest in Connection to Change Lives
Changing lives and the landscape one internship at a time.
Dirt Bike Dreams
Aaron Lindsey reflects on how his MAI internship with the USFS Entiat Ranger District allowed him to merge his lifelong passion for dirt bikes with his love for the outdoors. Spending a summer working in the stunning Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest, Aaron shares his gratitude for the experience and the incredible people he met along the way.
The Golden Ticket: An Epic AmeriCorps Adventure
Jonluke’s journey as a Land Stewardw intern has been nothing short of an ncredible adventure! From finding morels to working on the frontlines of forest fires, he’s embraced every challenge and opportunity along the way.
Field Notes: In the Trenches with BRAT: A Summer of Bullfrog Removal and Conservation
Land Steward Maiya McAuliffe, talks about invasive species control at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Glenwood, WA. This is my first position as a biology. “This is my first position as a biology technician post graduation and I couldn’t have stumbled across a better first job.”
The Watershed Rock Opera
To Celebrate 15 years of Sense of Place we present… “THE GREATEST ROCK OPERA EVER PRODUCED ABOUT A WATERSHED*”
Coming to Hood River, Oregon in April of 2025.
2024 Land Stewards: David Dzwonar
I grew up in Indianapolis a very active kid - playing sports and spending most of my time outside in our yard and neighborhood. I fell in love with public lands and the outdoors at large after high school when I started rock climbing. I bounced around for a while...
2024 VetsWork: Joshua Leventhal
I grew up in Salem, Oregon, with my brother, mother, and stepfather. I lived in Salem until I joined the U.S. Navy, where I served as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic) for eight years in various locales/environments. Most of that time was spent with the U. S. Marine Corps,...