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 professionally and personally. Working in the communities surrounding Oregon’s tallest mountain has been physically and mentally demanding, but also deeply rewarding.
Upon first arriving, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to see this opportunity through as I was 3,000+ miles away from anyone and anything that was familiar to me for the first time. I had to push myself beyond my comfort zone to not only build social connections, but also to better understand the forest through the perspectives of local residents who have lived and worked in the area for years, sometimes generations. I quickly learned how important it is for both staff and community members to be passionate about the places they care for as it is essential to true stewardship.
The physical aspect of the work tested me in ways I didn’t initially anticipate, but it also revealed strengths I didn’t know I had. I gained experience logging out trails with both crosscut saws and electric chainsaws, which was an aspect of the position I was very excited about. This often involved hiking multiple miles with extra weight in tools that rested awkwardly on your body or in your pack; something I was not used to beforehand. With some determination and encouragement from my co-interns, I was able to push through in the heat of the summer days and accomplished my first (few) log outs!
My time in Mt. Hood National Forest has been filled with unforgettable experiences and learning opportunities for which I’m incredibly grateful. While I wish the term of the internship had been longer, I made sure to make the most of every day, soaking up as much knowledge as I could, both technically and socially.
