The Mississippi heat can be a bit unbearable at times, but getting to help conserve threatened species and work with the individuals I get to work with on a daily basis makes it worth it. During the months of May and June, I got to help multiple agencies within Mississippi and Louisiana go on the...
2023 VetsWork Field Note: Jodie Robinson
I am five months into my internship working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and I am loving it. When I started in my position as a Salmon Habitat Restoration Specialist, I didn’t have a strong background in marine biology or related education. I expected to be conducting...
2023 VetsWork Field Note: Robert Ontiveros
During my time here, I have covered a wide variety of tasks, from trail work to community events and public outreach. Some of my favorite things to do are to explore all the new places and find everything that no one has touched in years and bring it back to use. Attending and hosting community...
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 dedicated to providing diverse...
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 anywhere. The only problem with a...
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 Alaska, and so much more. ...
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 inside the fish pass. This...
2023 VetsWork: Jean Draudt
I grew up in Moore, Oklahoma. I enjoy hiking, geocaching, photography, collecting plants, and being able to go places I have never been before. I worked for the Air Force as a Munitions Technician. My education varies in different languages but no degree. I have a son who is nine years old and...
2023 VetsWork: Joe Aluia
Wildlife Tech on Huron Manistee
2023 VetsWork: Logan Napoli
Recreation Technician on the Mark Twain National Forest
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: Jake Kauzalrich
The back half of the season at Conboy Lake has been wrapping up well. While everyone is feeling a strong sense of completion and a job well done, I can tell everyone has grown really fond of each other, and there is a bittersweet feeling of all of us going our...
2023 Land Stewards Field Note: Grace Leonard
I’ve spent the past six months as an Americorps intern working for a trail crew in the Forest Service, and I can easily say that it has truly been the most fun chapter of my life so far. The season went by so fast that it’s hard to believe we actually accomplished...
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...