By Ryan Zamonis, VetsWork Intern serving with the Columbia River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Vancouver, WA Trading a decade of high-stakes naval aviation discipline for the rugged landscapes of natural resource conservation marks a definitive evolution in my professional journey....
By Scot Clark, VetsWork Intern serving with CA Department of Fish and Wildlife in Arcata, CA Since my first day interning with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) through the Mt. Adams Institute's VetsWork program, I have been immersed in an entirely new world of...
By Ryan Robinson, VetsWork Intern serving on Mark Twain National Forest in Rolla, MO As I near the end of my internship with the Mark Twain National Forest and reflect on how the last 10 months have gone, the word that comes to mind most is appreciation. I entered this role without having a...
By Ryan Zamonis, VetsWork Intern serving with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service out of Vancouver, WA. What have you worked on, and how has it benefited your service site or community?During my service, I balanced complex technical data management with field operations to support the recovery of...
By Valentin Pulido, VetsWork Intern serving with Ottawa National Forest in MI. My name is Valentin Pulido, and I am a Land Survey Tech intern with the Ottawa National Forest (ONF). Having recently obtained a graduate degree, I appreciate the opportunities for further professional growth. These are...
By Carl Cruz, VetsWork Intern serving with Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership in OR. As a Vetworks Intern with the Mt. Adams Institute, I am completing my term with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) in Portland, Oregon. This role has allowed me to develop greater independence in...
VetsWork Intern Ryan Robinson speaks to his time as an MAI intern working at the U.S. Forest Service.
I developed a strong connection to the outdoors early in life, spending much of my time fishing, exploring waterways, and observing natural environments. This interest guided my academic path, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Wildlife Ecology...
My name is Mitch Martinez. I was born and raised in Denver Colorado. I’m a big Colorado sports fan. I like to hike and camp there; the state has a lot of really nice spots for recreation. I was in the Air Force for 11 years stationed in New Mexico and Colorado. I’ve had deployments to Kuwait,...
My Name is Sutton Norris and I grew up running around the Klamath Basin in southern Oregon, and now I currently reside in Gresham, Oregon. I’ve always been extremely passionate about the outdoors, and I was raised traveling the state to hunt and fish with my father. My list of outdoor obsessions...
By Ryan Zamonis, VetsWork Intern serving with the Columbia River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Vancouver, WA Trading a decade of high-stakes naval aviation discipline for the rugged landscapes of natural resource conservation marks a definitive evolution in...
By Oliver Erickson, Land Stewards Intern serving on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan, WA ENTRY 1: "Beauty does not evade our gaze. Rather, she seeks to be met in all she is and wherever she resides. Not difficult to be found yet often passed by." ENTRY...
By Scot Clark, VetsWork Intern serving with CA Department of Fish and Wildlife in Arcata, CA Since my first day interning with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) through the Mt. Adams Institute's VetsWork program, I have been immersed in an...
By Ryan Robinson, VetsWork Intern serving on Mark Twain National Forest in Rolla, MO As I near the end of my internship with the Mark Twain National Forest and reflect on how the last 10 months have gone, the word that comes to mind most is appreciation. I entered...
By Ryan Zamonis, VetsWork Intern serving with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service out of Vancouver, WA. What have you worked on, and how has it benefited your service site or community?During my service, I balanced complex technical data management with field operations to...
After extensive reflection and careful consideration, the Board voted to cease MAI operations and dissolve the organization effective December 31, 2026.
Dear Partners, Interns, Alumni, and Community Members,I want to share an important update regarding the future of Mt. Adams Institute (MAI). After extensive reflection and careful consideration, the Board has made the decision to cease operations as of December 31,...
By Valentin Pulido, VetsWork Intern serving with Ottawa National Forest in MI. My name is Valentin Pulido, and I am a Land Survey Tech intern with the Ottawa National Forest (ONF). Having recently obtained a graduate degree, I appreciate the opportunities for further...
By Brianna Hungerford, Land Stewards Intern serving with Mt. Hood National Forest. Over the past three months serving as a Land Steward with Mt. Adams Institute, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service in the Mt. Hood National Forest, I’ve grown tremendously—both...
By Carl Cruz, VetsWork Intern serving with Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership in OR. As a Vetworks Intern with the Mt. Adams Institute, I am completing my term with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) in Portland, Oregon. This role has allowed me to develop...