I grew up surrounded by the breathtaking natural landscapes of Southeast Alaska, where my love for the outdoors was nurtured from a young age. Exploring the Tongass National Forest, fishing and enjoying the Stikine River, hiking, jet boating, scuba diving, and working as a guide have instilled in...
2024 VetsWork: C.M.
My most recent career was being active duty Navy, stationed onboard NTAG Jacksonville, Administration. I joined the Navy’s DEP Program back in November 2008 and entered basic training November 18, 2009. My first assignment was Virginia from 2010-2015, then Hawaii 2015-2018, Guam 2019-2022, and...
2024 VetsWork: Shawn Graham
Biological Technician on Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery
2024 VetsWork: Nick Huys
Hi, my name is Nicholas Huys. I was born in Potosi, Missouri but my father served 20 years between Marine Corps and Army so I moved around a good amount as a kid. I spent most of my time in the woods trying to be a marine like my dad was and would act out any military movie I could watch. Joining...
2024 VetsWork: David Husbands
I grew up near Tallahassee, FL and my family loved spending time outdoors camping, hunting, and fishing. I joined the US Army at the age of 19 and continued serving as a Fire Control Specialist for 20 years. My love of the outdoors never faded and I try to escape to the woods as often as I can to...
2024 VetsWork: Eddy Colado
My name is Eddy Colado. I grew up in Sheridan Montana at Woodson Ranch (Ruby Habitat Foundation). I spent most of my time outdoors working for the foundation in field irrigation, riverbank restoration, and equipment maintenance and repairs. I very much enjoyed the great Montana outdoor activities...
2024 VetsWork: Taryn Oseen
Hello! My name is Taryn Oseen. I am originally from a small farm in Shalersville, Ohio. Growing up, my family and I were always outdoors, and I naturally became very passionate about environmental protection. When I graduated from high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Sonar Technician and...
2024 VetsWork: Christopher Glenn
My name is Christopher Glenn. Born in Portland, Oregon, I have spent the majority of my life in the Pacific Northwest. My roots in Oregon run deep, with only a brief hiatus during five awesome years living in Hawaii. I worked as a wildland firefighter for three seasons and developed a deep...
2024 VetsWork: Cooper Roberts
My name is Cooper Roberts, originally from Central Indiana, where my childhood was filled with romping in local creeks and forests alongside my three older brothers. This early love for exploration has stayed with me, evolving into a deeper appreciation for nature, which I now share with my spouse...
2024 VetsWork: Arthur Hunsinger
My name is Arthur Hunsinger. Growing up in northern Georgia, rural life didn't offer many opportunities, but the Appalachians were at my back, and in those forests, I found a valuable refuge. I'd carve out my own little trails and build forts that felt more like home than the family house. When I...
A History of Wildfire in the Gorge: March 20, 2024
Increase in Wildfires Sparks Exploration of Fire’s Historical Effects on People and Place. March 20th, Sense of Place event.
*NEW!* Sense of Place Pop-Up Event at Discovery Center: Wolverines, Foxes, and Rare Carnivores of the High Cascades, March 21st
Sense of Place launches it’s first Pop-Up event at Gorge Discovery Center. It will feature wildlife biologist Jocelyn Akins in conversation with SOP host/curator, Sarah Fox.
Embracing Change and Welcoming The New Executive Director of Mt. Adams Institute
Heraclitus once wisely proclaimed, “Change is the only constant in life,” and at Mt. Adams Institute, we've embraced this truth throughout the recent transformative years. As our founder, Brendan Norman, bid farewell, and the pandemic brought an onslaught of changes,...
A Candid Conversation with Aaron Stanton on MAI’s Past, Present, and Future
We had the privilege of delving into the thoughts and experiences of Aaron Stanton, our new Executive Director, whose commitment to the success of Mt. Adams Institute (MAI) has been unwavering over the past decade. This conversation is not just a glimpse into his...
Salmon at a Crossroads: Sense of Place, January 17th
Unprecedented Momentum: Miles Johnson, Columbia Riverkeeper, to Speak on the Path Forward for Salmon Recovery Hood River, Oregon - Sense of Place, will feature Salmon at a Crossroads on January 17th, 2024. This event will be offered in-person at the Columbia Center...
Thank you, Laura Linn! You will be missed.
Laura Linn recently announced that she has accepted a new position and will leave Mt. Adams Institute (MAI) on January 5th. Laura has been with MAI for 9 years and was our first program coordinator. Over the years, she took on ever-increasing responsibility and...
Happy Birthday, Homer.
The first time I met Homer Yasui was in Seattle. It was the fall of 2016, and like so many momentous things in life, I never saw it coming. I’d been hired to create something called a podcast. Unlike today, podcasts had yet to explode into the mainstream, so while I...
Native Plants from Mountaintop to Backyard: Sense of Place December 13th
Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Native Plants in the Columbia River Gorge: A Celebration of Biodiversity and Environmental Stewardship Hood River, Oregon — Sense of Place will feature Mountaintop to Backyard: The Beauty of the Gorge’s Native Plants on December...
2023 VetsWork Field Note: Taylor Davis
With just under a month left of my Forest Service internship with the Recreation Department on Mt. Hood’s East Zone, I feel hopeful about my natural resource career path. I feel I have a better understanding of recreation management and the work it takes to keep a...
Beavers Sold Out, And We Got a Musical Surprise!
SOLD OUT! Last week’s Sense of Place, Beaver Power: Teaming Up With Nature’s Engineers to Restore Our Watersheds, packed the house (and the livestream)! Speakers, Jeanette Burkhardt and Margaret Neuman, took us back in time to uncover how beavers have shaped the...