Mt. Adams Institute

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Mt. Adams Institute Founded in 2011, Mt.

Adams Institute strengthens the connection between people and the natural world through education, service learning, career development and research.

How well do you know Mt. Adams Institute? 👀Over the years, a lot has happened under the MAI name. Programs have grown an...
10/05/2026

How well do you know Mt. Adams Institute? 👀

Over the years, a lot has happened under the MAI name. Programs have grown and changed, members have served in communities and on public lands across the country, and thousands of hours have been spent learning, working, teaching, restoring, exploring, and getting very, very muddy.

Some parts of that history are easy to remember. Others are tucked away in old photos, reports, stories, and memories from the people who were there.

As we look back on MAI’s story, we wanted to pull out a few of those details. The surprising ones, the interesting ones, and the ones that show just how much this organization has done over the years.

Swipe through for a few things you might not know about MAI.

And longtime MAI friends and alumni, what would you add to the list?

Sometimes, all it takes is one open door to completely change where you’re headed.In 2022, Alexander Golman was working ...
09/23/2026

Sometimes, all it takes is one open door to completely change where you’re headed.

In 2022, Alexander Golman was working as a landscape designer in Chicago and feeling unsure about what he wanted to do next. He describes himself at the time as “rudderless,” throwing applications at the wall to see what might stick.

One of them did.

Alexander joined Mt. Adams Institute as a Public Lands Intern, working as a Wilderness Ranger on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Cle Elum. The experience ended up changing the course of his career.

Today, Alexander is a permanent, full-time employee with the U.S. Forest Service.

“MAI opened a door I haven’t been able to shut.”
And the impact didn’t end with the internship. Alexander still keeps in touch with interns and coworkers he met during his time in Cle Elum.

As MAI prepares to close this chapter, his story is a reminder that the work continues through the people who were part of it.

In Alexander’s words, “Even though MAI is closing, the spirit continues on through us.”

Thank you, Alexander, for sharing your story and for being part of ours. 💚

Sometimes taking a chance can change the entire direction of your career.When Robert Ontiveros joined VetsWork in 2023, ...
09/16/2026

Sometimes taking a chance can change the entire direction of your career.

When Robert Ontiveros joined VetsWork in 2023, he was seven years into a career with the Postal Service and looking for a way to turn his passion for the outdoors into something more. He took a leap, made some big changes in his life, and joined the Olympic National Forest as a Recreation and Community Engagement Intern.

That leap paid off.

Robert credits the support he received from both Mt. Adams Institute and the Olympic National Forest with helping him grow his skills, understand the Forest Service hiring process, and find his place on the recreation team. By the end of his internship, he was able to transition into a permanent position with the Forest Service.

And then his story came full circle.

In 2025 and again in 2026, Robert became a supervisor to Land Stewards interns himself.

“I feel like it was my way to give back to MAI for allowing me this opportunity. Being able to give back and provide the same opportunities I was given to someone else interested in the outdoors has been a goal of mine since transitioning into a full-time role.”
Today, Robert is a Recreation Management Specialist with the Olympic National Forest, helping the next generation gain the experience, connections, and confidence that helped launch his own career.
From VetsWork intern to Forest Service employee to Land Stewards supervisor. 🌲

That’s one heck of a full-circle moment, Robert. 💚

David Wickwire remembers meeting with Brendan Norman and Amanda Lawrence around 2011 in a tiny space in Hood River, putt...
09/14/2026

David Wickwire remembers meeting with Brendan Norman and Amanda Lawrence around 2011 in a tiny space in Hood River, putting together what he describes as a “skeleton plan” for what would eventually become Mt. Adams Institute.

What followed was years of partnership between MAI and the Mt. Adams Ranger District.

For David, a big part of what kept that partnership going was trust. Year after year, MAI helped connect the Ranger District with Land Stewards and VetsWork interns who brought hard work, positive attitudes, and a willingness to jump in wherever they were needed.
In fact, David says this year has been one of the most memorable. Five interns have been working across the district, logging out trails, improving recreation sites, and helping accomplish work that otherwise may not have gotten done.

MAI also helped the Forest Service navigate some of the challenges of bringing on seasonal workers, particularly during years when traditional government funding wasn’t available.

Looking back, though, what David says he’ll remember most is having a partner that was willing to find a way to help.

From those early conversations in Hood River to more than a decade of interns, projects, and partnership, we’re grateful to David and the Mt. Adams Ranger District for being part of MAI’s story.

For Heather Weisfield, the story of Mt. Adams Institute began before MAI even existed.Heather was the Individual Placeme...
09/09/2026

For Heather Weisfield, the story of Mt. Adams Institute began before MAI even existed.

Heather was the Individual Placement Coordinator at Northwest Service Academy, working alongside a team of enthusiastic young people who were doing meaningful work for our forests while gaining experience that could lead to careers in natural resources.

When NWSA eventually became Mt. Adams Institute under Brendan Norman’s leadership, Heather’s connection to the work continued. She joined the MAI Board and served for about four years.

Years later, the connection became a family one when her son, Aaron Stanton, joined the MAI team and eventually became Executive Director.

As we reflect on the many years of work that began with NWSA and continued through MAI, Heather’s story is a reminder that the impact reaches far beyond any one program or organization. It lives on in the careers, relationships, communities, and people shaped along the way.

Thank you, Heather, for sharing your memories and for being part of this story.

What started as a conversation on a chair lift at Mt. Hood Meadows became more than five years of service to Mt. Adams I...
09/08/2026

What started as a conversation on a chair lift at Mt. Hood Meadows became more than five years of service to Mt. Adams Institute.

Rick Mogren joined the MAI Board in August 2021, drawn to the organization’s work helping veterans find careers in natural resources. He went on to become Board Chair in 2022 and has helped guide MAI through some of its most challenging chapters.

When Rick looks back on his time with MAI, he’s especially proud of the Board they built, the way staff and leadership came together to adapt after the loss of AmeriCorps funding, and the dedication MAI’s staff has shown throughout the dissolution process.

For Rick, serving on the Board was also his first experience with a nonprofit organization.

“It was very educational and deeply rewarding.”

Thank you, Rick, for the time, leadership, and care you’ve given to Mt. Adams Institute.

A few weeks ago, we asked you to share your Mt. Adams Institute stories with us. Now, we get to start sharing some of th...
09/01/2026

A few weeks ago, we asked you to share your Mt. Adams Institute stories with us. Now, we get to start sharing some of them. 💚

First up is David Escarcega, who spent his internship at Mark Twain National Forest.

David shared:
“I was fortunate to have spent time living in a wonderful community thanks to this endeavor. I’m sad this opportunity is concluding.”

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more stories from the people who have been part of Mt. Adams Institute over the years. Different programs, different places, different chapters of life, but all connected through this community.

Thank you, David, for helping us kick off this series and for being part of the MAI story.

And if you haven’t shared yours yet, there’s still time. Whether it’s a favorite memory, a photo from the field, a lesson you’ve carried with you, or simply what your time with MAI meant to you, we’d love to hear it. Send us a DM 💚

When we think about Sense of Place, we think about stories.Stories that deepen our understanding of the Columbia River G...
08/26/2026

When we think about Sense of Place, we think about stories.

Stories that deepen our understanding of the Columbia River Gorge. Stories that introduced us to new perspectives and people. Stories that remind us that every landscape has a history and a shared sense of place has the power to connect us.

For many years, those conversations have been thoughtfully guided by Sarah Fox, whose passion for storytelling and community helped shape the series into something truly special. Her ability to bring people together through curiosity, conversation, and a shared appreciation for this region left a lasting impact on our community.

To Sarah, our speakers, volunteers, and everyone who joined us over the years, thank you. Together, you reminded us that a sense of place isn’t just about where we live. It’s about the stories, relationships, and shared experiences that help us feel connected to it.

Thank you for helping us see the Gorge through new eyes. Sense of Place is continuing on — stay connected at senseofplacegorge.org or by emailing Sarah at [email protected].

Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside.Over the years, we watched young people discover things they couldn...
08/24/2026

Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside.
Over the years, we watched young people discover things they couldn’t learn from a textbook alone. They learned to ask questions, work together, solve problems, and see the natural world with a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Research shows that time spent outdoors can build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and foster environmental awareness. We had the privilege of seeing those lessons come to life through our summer camps, outdoor school, after-school programs, and other education initiatives.

While every child had a different experience, our hope was always the same: that they would leave with a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and the confidence to keep exploring it.

Those moments of discovery are some of the memories we’ll always cherish.

Behind every successful intern is someone who took the time to teach, encourage, and believe in them.Over the years, we’...
08/20/2026

Behind every successful intern is someone who took the time to teach, encourage, and believe in them.

Over the years, we’ve watched incredible professionals open doors for our participants by sharing not only their knowledge, but also their patience, encouragement, and passion for the work they do.

Some lessons came while restoring trails. Others happened during conversations on the drive back from a project or over lunch after a long day in the field. Those moments often became just as meaningful as the work itself.

To every mentor who welcomed our participants, answered countless questions, offered guidance, and led by example, thank you. Your influence reaches far beyond a single season. It lives on in the careers, confidence, and commitment of the people you helped shape.

We are deeply grateful for the role you played in our story.

Address

2453 Highway 141
Trout Lake, WA
98650

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15093953469

Website

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