Hi! I’m Gray Grandy and I will be spending the summer on the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest as a Public Land Steward supporting wilderness management efforts. I’ll get to hike a lot of backcountry miles as I assess trail conditions, assist wilderness travellers and serve as an ambassador for the land and natural systems that this area encompasses.

I grew up in a small town of dirt roads and deciduous forests in southern Vermont. When I left home to begin college in the Puget Sound region of Washington, I was introduced to myriad new ecosystems that initiated a push to explore and learn about more of the ecologically rich areas in the United States. Both through my education and recreational activities, I have made natural systems a priority and have strived to share an appreciation for the natural world. In earning my B.S. in Forest Ecology, I expanded my understanding of the dynamic relationships that shape our world’s forests. I hope my future work in this field can highlight the complexities and beauty of forests, and help others appreciate forests and make sound management decisions for them.

Outside of school, my activities have ranged from fishing to backcountry skiing to building a livable treehouse. All of these endeavors have served to expand my outdoors experience and introduce me to communities of people who have similar goals.