Forestry Technician (Recreation) on the National Forest in Mississippi
2023 VetsWork: Tom Bonnette
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2023 VetsWork: Evan Daley
Biological Assistant (Fisheries) on Six Rivers National Forest (NOAA)
2023 VetsWork: Arturo Moreno
I am Arturo Moreno, and I grew up in Northern New Jersey. In my early 20's I moved out west where I found the 'jumping off' point of my life. I love the ocean and enjoy surfing when I get the time to do it. I've been fortunate to paddle out to the waves on three continents. I hope to experience...
2023 VetsWork: Austin Lanham
My name is Austin Lanham. I was born and grew up in Tri-Cities, Washington. I spent most of my youth skateboarding and playing music, and after graduating high school, I started studying and teaching mixed martial arts. I've always enjoyed outdoor shooting and throwing knives for fun. I like to...
2023 VetsWork: Baylor Mann
I grew up in West Florida and spent a lot of time in the water. When I wasn’t in the water, I was camping or hiking. I also enjoy hunting and fishing. I spent six years in the Army as a system operator for automated field artillery systems, doing a lot of math and geometry. I chose the military...
2023 VetsWork: Gil Widener
My name is Gil Widener. I was born and raised in the rolling hills of East Tennessee in the hidden jewel of Knoxville! Both my parents were in the Air Force, my brother was in the Air Force, and I was a security forces member in the Air Force as well. I’m an ambivert who enjoys open dialogue yet...
2023 VetsWork: Gunner Trygstad
Forest Stewardship Technician on the King Conservation District
2023 VetsWork: Kerik Aldridge
Recreation Operations on Malheur National Forest
2023 VetsWork: Shawn Graham
Biological Technician on Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery
2023 VetsWork: Matthew (Levi) Clyburn
My name is Levi Clyburn. I grew up in Brevard, North Carolina. The area is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest. I spent quite a bit of my childhood outdoors! My favorite things to do in the forest and outdoors, in general, are hiking and photography. Swimming is also one...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: Eamon McNeil
During my time in Ukiah over the past few months, I have had invaluable time to reflect and plan in a peaceful, beautiful setting. I have made some lifelong friends and cherished memories, in addition to developing important career skills. Some of the skills I’ve been...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: William O’Brien
Six months or roughly half a year participating in this internship. At times it feels like it was more than that, at other times it feels like I just started yesterday. In terms of reflecting on this experience it is difficult, because so much happened but at the same...
Veteran Interns Build Their Skills Supporting NOAA’s Habitat Restoration Efforts
"NOAA partners with several groups to recruit, hire, and support veteran interns throughout Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska. In 2023, we have several interns supported by one of these groups, Mt. Adams Institute. This Washington-based non-profit is...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: Hannah Sebring
The Land Stewards program appealed to me from the beginning for its focus on fostering a strong sense of place and developing professional skills and experiences. I knew I wanted to stay in the Mt. Hood National Forest, and was unsure of where and how to find pathway...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: John Mathewson
The last six months have been some of the best I've had. I have met so many insanely cool and inspiring people who have such a contagious enthusiasm for life. The people surrounding land stewardship and public land management, in general, are some of the best I have...
2023 VetsWork Field Note: Joey Anderson
As a Recreation Resources Technician on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Randle, Washington, my main job is to conduct dispersed campsite inventories. A dispersed campsite is basically anywhere that the national forests are that anyone can camp just about...
2023 VetsWork Field Note: Exploring Alaska’s Secrets from Mines to Glaciers with Austin Kief
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...
2023 VetsWork Field Note: Clearing the (Fish) Pass by Alexander Apelis
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...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: Jared Keeling
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...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: John Mathewson
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...