Changing lives and the landscape one internship at a time.
Trout Lake, WA — This November, Mt. Adams Institute (MAI), is launching an End-of-Year Giving Campaign with a mission to “Invest in Connection and Conservation”. Donations will support programs like Vetswork, Land Stewards, and Sense of Place, which help veterans, youth, and local communities grow deeper connections to nature and to each other.
MAI’s VetsWork and Land Stewards AmeriCorps internships help achieve environmental stewardship and natural resource management goals by providing internships that help build capacity for organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While simultaneously supporting Veterans and young adults in building their career readiness.
“It’s really a very synergistic thing. These internships help fill a need for both the organizations we partner with and our interns who are looking to build skills, experience and a network within their field,” said Cole Goodwin, Outreach Coordinator for MAI.
Interns help fill a number of needs, doing everything from trail work and campground maintenance, to research, lab work and outreach and environmental education.
But for Goodwin it’s the stories that come out of this work that make it all worthwhile.
“It’s an honor to be doing this work. MAI is changing lives and the landscape one day and one internship at a time. It’s honestly pretty incredible. Everyday I get to hear incredible stories from Veterans who are finding their personal and professional grounding again in the outdoors. Young adults who are building a sense of purpose and hope for the future. And from our partner agencies and community members who are grateful for all the hard work, both in the field and behind the scenes,” said Goodwin.
“For me it’s these stories of hope and growth and care for our environment and our natural resources that make it all worthwhile. That’s why this year, for our end of year giving campaign we will be highlighting stories from our interns to raise awareness of the work that’s being done and encourage people to support us in creating more success stories like theirs,” said Goodwin.
“Also it’s just interesting to see what our interns do! A lot goes into developing a career and a lot goes into maintaining, and managing our public lands, our trails and our natural resources. It’s pretty inspiring!” said Goodwin.
MAI’s interns work at partner agencies both locally and across the nation.
“There are a number of interns currently serving in the Columbia River Gorge, on the Mt. Hood National Forests and at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge!” said Cole. “We’re very grateful to have them here.”
And while some may not have heard of MAI’s internships, a lot of Columbia Gorge locals have heard of Sense of Place, an educational program of MAI, currently in its 15th season.
“Here in the Columbia River Gorge our Sense of Place series is probably our most well known program and for good reason! It’s been around for fifteen years! And it’s a fun to go to the theater and have a glass of wine and learn about this area we call home! It’s a program that hits close to the heart, and the heart of our work, which is to strengthen our connection to the landscape and to each other—it’s an incredibly impactful program.” said Goodwin.
This year has been an especially special season for the program as Sense of Place host Sarah Fox was honored with a Community Storytelling Fellowship from Oregon Humanities for her work telling the stories of underserved and underrepresented communities.
“We’re really proud of her work and very grateful for all the behind the scenes work and volunteer time that she puts into making sure that this program is a success,” said Aaron Stanton, Executive Director of MAI.
This end of year giving season MAI invites you to donate to join MAI in supporting Veterans, young adults and the local community in their work both locally and across the nation.
