Public Lands Stewards: A Sense of Confidence
It's not even August yet and this summer has been one of the most influential, awakening, and educational times of my life. Continue Reading…
Public Lands Stewards: Helping Others to Enjoy the Outdoors
First off: let me say that I never expected to be here. Friends and family always knew how much I love our public lands and wild spaces in general, but it simply never registered for me that my career path could involve helping others to enjoy the outdoors while getting to experience the richness of our region myself! Continue Reading…
Public Lands Stewards: It Keeps Getting Easier
My journey began with a cross-country road trip from Bloomington, Indiana to Entiat, Washington. Continue Reading…
Public Lands Stewards: Solitary in the Outdoors
The first few months of my time as a Mt. Adams Institute, Public Lands Stewards (PLS) AmeriCorps member have flown by- filled to the brim with stunning places, infinite amounts of mosquitoes (yikes!), and plenty of hard, rewarding work. Continue Reading…
Public Lands Stewards: My Love for Nature
Hello everyone! Growing up building forts and fishing in the creeks of the Pocono mountains, I have never been a stranger to the outdoors.
Public Lands Stewards: I've Found My Path Forward
Sitting in the cool, air conditioned truck sipping on fruit punch Gatorade, I felt elated. Ecstatic. Completely and purely happy. This moment was easily one of the greatest moments of my entire life. And all it took was a gnarly week of patrolling. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: Public Service is an Essential Service
As many fields have shut down over recent months, I've been lucky to be partnered with a program that has stayed hard at work fulfilling its mission: the Timber program at Shawnee National Forest. Continue Reading…
Meet Sara, 2020 Public Lands Stewards Intern!
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I love to be out in nature hiking, biking, or playing disc golf. I play rugby and love the teamwork required for the sport. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: Feeling Inspired
Feeling inspired from a recent snowshoeing expedition to investigate a snow-covered mining claim, I decided to purchase a set of snowshoes and check out the terrifically named — Lake Valhalla. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: The Future Looks Bright
Splash… The sound of my paddle in the water as I coast along otherwise silently. I'm in a canoe in the middle of the main stem of the Willamette River. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: Continuing Service
Like many other organizations and operations, we were put on halt mid-March from doing any field work, engaging with the public and various other operations. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: Working in a Facilities Position with the Forest Service
My name is Jon Knepper. I am an AmeriCorps VetsWork member that was assigned to a facilities maintenance position working directly with the U.S Forest Service. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: A Journey Through Uncertain Times
One December day, while Facebooking, I received an instant message from a military buddy of mine about a job he found while searching for jobs online. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: Nature and People
I feel that our National forests and other natural areas are very important for the well-being of the plants and animals that live in them as well as the people who visit them. Continue Reading…
VetsWork: Bats in Deschutes County Caves
White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd for short. Pd gives white-nose syndrome its name because it sometimes looks like white fuzz on the nose and other hairless parts of bats, including wings. Continue Reading…