VetsWork

From Blue Water to Clear Streams: A Transition to Conservation

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...
Fisheries and Conservation

Fisheries and Conservation

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...

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Fisheries and Conservation

Fisheries and Conservation

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...

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Sense Of Place

Crag Rats Turn 100: A Century of Service with the Oldest Mountain Search & Rescue Team in America

For a century, this all-volunteer team has provided lifesaving search and rescue support in the mountains and wild places of the Pacific Northwest. From the icy slopes of Mount Hood to the steep canyons of the Columbia River Gorge, the Crag Rats have rescued injured climbers on Eliot Glacier, helped hikers stranded during wildfires in Eagle Creek, and searched for missing hunters as far away as Olympic National Park.

Rattlesnakessssss: Shedding the Myths to Meet the Snake with Adrian Slade

Rattlesnakessssss: Shedding the Myths to Meet the Snake with Adrian Slade

Whether you’re a hiker, land steward, or just snake-curious, this talk will offer practical tips for coexisting with rattlesnakes and a deeper appreciation for their subtle yet vital presence on the landscape. Adrian Slade will share more about these creature’s fascinating biology, annual rhythms, complex social lives, and strong fidelity to den sites passed down through generations. Learn how they respond to wildfire, habitat changes, and human pressures—and how their presence signals a healthy landscape.

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Rattlesnakessssss: Shedding the Myths to Meet the Snake with Adrian Slade

Rattlesnakessssss: Shedding the Myths to Meet the Snake with Adrian Slade

Whether you’re a hiker, land steward, or just snake-curious, this talk will offer practical tips for coexisting with rattlesnakes and a deeper appreciation for their subtle yet vital presence on the landscape. Adrian Slade will share more about these creature’s fascinating biology, annual rhythms, complex social lives, and strong fidelity to den sites passed down through generations. Learn how they respond to wildfire, habitat changes, and human pressures—and how their presence signals a healthy landscape.

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Land Stewards

A Peak Into the Mind of a Forest Service Trail Crew Member: Journal Entries

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...
2026 Land Stewards: Eli VanDeHey

2026 Land Stewards: Eli VanDeHey

Howdy! My name is Eli VanDeHey, I grew up in Trout Lake, Washington, right at the base of Mt. Adams where MAI is headquartered. My love for the outdoors really stems from growing up in and around the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, camping and hiking with my family and climbing and bushwhacking...

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2026 Land Stewards: Saul VanDeHey

2026 Land Stewards: Saul VanDeHey

Hi, I'm Saul from Trout Lake, Washington. Growing up, being outdoors was a huge part of my life. Coming from a town of less than a thousand people didn't leave me a lot of options in terms of entertainment. Because of this I spent most of my time outside, biking, fishing, hiking and exploring the...

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2026 Land Stewards: Eli VanDeHey

2026 Land Stewards: Eli VanDeHey

Howdy! My name is Eli VanDeHey, I grew up in Trout Lake, Washington, right at the base of Mt. Adams where MAI is headquartered. My love for the outdoors really stems from growing up in and around the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, camping and hiking with my family...

read more