As the bus climbed through the cloud layer, the dramatic views of the steep granitic slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains came into focus and the eager excitement of the 26 students from Los Angeles River High School embarking on an adventure into the Angeles National Forest became clear. The charred remains of the large trees and shrubs from the 2009 wildfire were still evident, but the vibrant green from the resurgent new growth was everywhere. Just the day before, on May 2, the... (Read more…)

Before I moved to Northwestern Washington to serve in a year-long AmeriCorps internship for the National Forest Foundation, I had visited the Seattle area a few times. Each time, the weather had been a typical overcast day, with showers ranging from a light sprinkle, to a heavy downpour. Having grown up in Central Oregon, where there are about as many sunny days as there are in Hawaii, I knew that it would take some time getting used to the cloudy, heavy grey skies. The first time I... (Read more…)

It’s a hard life growing up in the Forest Service.  There are streams to fish, cabins to visit and trails to hike.  You end up with way too many Smokey Bear shoelaces and pencils and have to go to potlucks at campgrounds.  Well, on second thought, I guess it doesn’t sound all that bad.  Actually, for me, growing up as the daughter of a District Ranger was really nothing short of wonderful. The US Forest Service has defined my family from the very... (Read more…)