Growing up in a large family with a single parent, we couldn’t afford extravagant vacations. Instead, my mother taught us to find adventure in the outdoors. We spent our time fishing, camping, hiking, and foraging in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to her, nature became my home and sanctuary, instilling in me a deep love for the land.

Certain places hold special meaning for me. The Russian River in Guerneville, California, where I first learned to kayak, flows beautifully into the ocean. Grand Lake, Colorado, cradles me each summer for my birthday, offering a home away from home. The Green Belt in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, provided my friends and me a refuge from the pressures of high school. More recently, I explored Sweet Creek Falls in Mapleton, Oregon, with my mother, where we discovered unique mushrooms and enjoyed the soothing sounds of the waterfalls. At the Umpqua Lighthouse in Reedsport, Oregon, I stood beside an Artist Conk mushroom on a trailhead, reflecting on the surrounding beauty. These natural spaces fuel my creativity and inspire my work. Whether crafting jewelry, creating art, or working to protect and conserve forests and grasslands, I draw purpose from the outdoors. This resource assistant internship with the USDA Forest Service aligns with my values, offering me the chance to make a difference in my community, and aid in the mission of the Forest Service, to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Editor’s Note: If you like to follow along this journey chronologically.
Blog #1 Posted 7/24
Blog #2 - 9/24
Blog #3 - 10/24
Blog #4 - 11/24
Blog #5 - 12/24

“As above, so below.” The reflection of Grand Lake’s waters mirrors the cradling mountains and the bright blue sunrise—a reminder of nature’s balance and beauty.