It has been a cold winter and I am so excited that spring has arrived here in the Pacific Northwest. I have been learning so much here on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest as a community engagement assistant. There are so many thoughtful citizens in our communities that are willing to spend the time and effort partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to get great things done. As a community engagement assistant it is my duty to meet with the public at local community events. This year I have attended some of these community events and look forward to the attending more this summer.

Being an avid fisherman myself, I recently had an opportunity to assist children at a local community fishing derby. I had a blast with these kids! Some had never been fishing before and I got to be with them at the moment they reeled in their first fish. It was an exciting day for all of the 150 volunteers and 3,500 children who participated. This is an event I want to be a part of in the years to come.

These past few months in the VetsWork AmeriCorps program have been extremely rewarding and meaningful. I am looking forward to reconnecting with my fellow vets here at the end of the month for a group training at the Mt. Adams Institute campus in Trout Lake, WA.

Mt. Ad