by mtadams | Nov 2, 2020 | Bulletin, VetsWork
Early in the year of 2020, around the months of February and March, there had been some recent suspicions about a possible virus that could come across borders to the United States. Around this time, I was getting ready to move near Tacoma, Washington; I had already...
by mtadams | Oct 21, 2020 | Lands Stewards
In between where I came from and where I will go next is a sweet memory of my time here at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Since childhood I have always been drawn to the outdoors and the wild things that live in nature. I could not think of a better fit for...
by mtadams | Sep 21, 2020 | Lands Stewards
Arriving at Conboy Lake National Wildlife in the spring is a spectacle unlike anything I had ever experienced. Growing up in Florida the transition from winter to summer appears to happen overnight, what may have been a month of cool weather immediately turns to an...
by mtadams | Sep 21, 2020 | Lands Stewards
When describing what Mt. Adams Institute provides- a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, make lasting connections with professionals in your desired field of work, serve and engage with your community, all with the support of the caring individuals that...
by mtadams | Aug 5, 2020 | Lands Stewards
My name is Dakota Miller, I grew up in the beautiful state of Florida and love fishing, hiking, camping, and being on the water. After graduating high school I enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed a six year enlistment with the Air National Guard....
by mtadams | Oct 23, 2019 | Lands Stewards
Turn and Fall Fog hangs heavy In the valley Animals find solace In their hiding places I wonder how the three-legged elk is faring Fall is Coming Bull’s bugle After a long summers absence Three points and five points Sparing for practice Cranes congregate...
by mtadams | Sep 6, 2019 | Lands Stewards
Water is Life May, water is abundant Meandering through channels and Man-made ditches It comes up to your chest Don’t top! July, water is disappearing Forced to a stop By the disputes of men Mud and duck tracks are reminders Of what once was Some strongholds remain...
by mtadams | Sep 6, 2019 | Lands Stewards
My first month at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge began with lots of training and learning. For the last couple of weeks I have been surveying at Wapato Lake for two main invasive species – Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) and Iris...
by mtadams | Sep 6, 2019 | Lands Stewards
Conboy Lake is not really a lake. Mice can maneuver into the inside of cars and eat emergency ramen rations. Use one hand to catch bullfrogs. Toads breed in hordes. Bring a plank for crossing streams. And lastly, unless you’re over 50 years old, don’t even try to play...
by mtadams | Aug 6, 2019 | VetsWork
To jump into another year of volunteering wasn’t an easy choice. But to be honest, pursuing a career in our living earth isn’t easy either. I already know I have a passion for fishes and at this point I feel like I do know a good amount about them too. I have a B.S....
by mtadams | Aug 6, 2019 | VetsWork
Since getting hired by the Mt. Adams Institute through the VetsWork AmeriCorps program in March, it has been an extremely busy time learning how fish hatcheries operate. I began my first day of work at the Carson National Fish Hatchery in Washington on March 25th,...
by mtadams | Nov 12, 2018 | Land Stewards
I am currently in the final month of this internship and I couldn’t have asked for a more adventurous summer. Emily and I have been thrown multiple curveballs this summer, from our manager having part of his finger cut off in a non-work related accident, to the...
by mtadams | Nov 12, 2018 | Land Stewards
It is now October and Conboy Lake is painted with beautiful hues of orange, yellow and red as the quaking aspen leaves change to their fall colors. The wildlife is in full force; I can barely sleep through the sounds of elk bugling and owls hooting through the night....
by mtadams | Jul 24, 2018 | Land Stewards
It is now about two months into my internship at the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge and it has definitely been a drastic change from my home in Alabama. I skipped my college graduation (which I had been searching for a good reason to do) because I was riding in...
by mtadams | Jul 24, 2018 | Land Stewards
I’m writing this as I wait for the sun to go down so that Hannah, my AmeriCorps partner, and I can begin our nighttime bullfrog hunt. I’d really like to use a better word than hunt, say survey or monitoring, but hunting for all intensive purposes is what we do....
by mtadams | Apr 4, 2018 | VetsWork
My first month as a VetsWork AmeriCorps intern with the Mt. Adams Institute, living and working in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has been awesome! I moved here from New England, not knowing what to expect. Would this be the start of a career, or just a...
