When I applied to the VetsWork internship I had just finished my bachelor’s degree in exercise science and an internship with a college football team. Continue Reading…
I grew up in a very rural part of eastern Texas. Every day for me growing up was in the woods, sometimes hunting or fishing with my dad. Ever since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to work for an organization like the Forest Service, originally as a game warden. Continue Reading…
I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Amherst County, Virginia. I enjoy snowboarding, surfing hiking, kayaking, archery, shooting, and climbing. Continue Reading…
There are a few easy ways for an outsider to know when spring has begun in Rockbridge County. The turkeys are out, as are the soon to be hunters, Morel mushrooms will begin to appear around the poplar trees, and country roads will become clogged with trout anglers. Continue Reading…
Nestled in the Eastern slopes of the Allegheny Mountains, the Warm Springs/ James River Ranger District on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests experiences spring in spectacular fashion. Continue Reading…
My name is Matthew Blees. I grew up in a small town of rural Pennsylvania. I have always loved hiking, fishing and anything that would bring me outdoors. Continue Reading…
During my first year of VetsWork, I was mostly getting introduced to fieldwork, having been a visitor assistant for the U.S. Forest Service previously. Continue Reading…
I’ve been working at the Eastern Divide Ranger District since early March, and I’ve seen and done a lot of really cool things. Continue Reading…
I think most members of the VetsWork program, if asked about who they are, will mention their military service at least first or second as one of the core factors. Continue Reading…
Matt is serving an 11-month AmeriCorps internship through our VetsWork program based out of Hot Springs, VA. Matt made the following video blog to highlight his experiences thus far! Continue Reading…
Service. A substantial word with different interpretations for different people. Continue Reading…
The VetsWork program of the Mt. Adams Institute gave me access to several different experiences that I would not have had otherwise. Continue Reading…
In our journey as public land caretakers, it’s easy to get attached to specific areas, as so much of our national forests are beautiful and unique. Continue Reading…
As my blog due dates approach, I welcome the internal evaluation. Most of my weeks seem to pass as a blurred, slurry of work projects: eel shocking, wilderness training, crop tree release marking and inspection, trail maintenance collaborations, migratory bird surveys, Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew projects, saw training, old-growth forest monitoring, invertebrate water sample collection, etc. Continue Reading…
It might not be common for folks to want to go into the forest for 8 weeks with a couple of teenagers, but after the summer I spent with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, I would jump at the chance to do it all over again. I’m excited to tell you a little bit about my “YCC’ers”, and what they did this summer, but first let’s talk about what YCC is and what the program does. Continue Reading…