Mount St. Helens Institute eNews

At MSHI HQ, we've actually been (whisper it) enjoying the rain. It definitely feels like autumn is on the way, but before you start slurping down those pumpkin spice lattes, why not treat yourself to a guided foraging trip or join in our fall fundraising? Help us gather support for MSHI through Give More 24! and Boots and Bow Ties—read on to find out more, get the latest staff updates, and learn about our upcoming community events!

News you'll find in September's issue of Rumblings:

• • Explore With Us This Fall
  • Give More 24! Is Live
  • Boots & Bow Ties Just One Month Away! 
  • Get to Know John Mahoney
  • Join Us on National Public Lands Day
  • Breaking Barriers with Alpine Ascents
  • A Mount St. Helens Film Night!
  • Volcano Views & Brews Returns
  • 2026 Events at a Glance

Photo credit: Andy Goodwin 

Explore With Us This Fall

Mushroom Foraging: Starting September 27

Cooler temperatures and crisp rain can mean only one thing: mushrooms are here! Join our mycology experts on a fungi foray to discover the forest’s most striking (and delicious) hidden treasures.

 You'll learn key identification characteristics, how to harvest local edible species, and culinary tips to transform your mushrooms into tasty dishes. Space is limited and the season is short—register today!

Autumn Photography: October 18

Experience Mount St. Helens in full autumn color alongside professional photographer Patrick Aalto. We begin our hike by weaving through a diverse ecosystem born from the 1980 eruption (the hummocks) before joining the Boundary Trail to admire the dramatic expanse of the Pumice Plain and the crater itself. 

Photo credit: Ralf Wiegand 

As we ascend (to the group's comfort) Johnston Ridge, you’ll hone your photography skills against a backdrop of brilliant fall foliage and iconic volcano views. Patrick will offer expert technical and artistic instruction and help build your skills to create more compelling images. Enthusiasts of all levels are welcome, whether you use a smartphone, digital camera, or film. 

Give More 24! Is Live

Early giving for Give More 24! is officially open, leading up to Southwest Washington’s biggest day of giving on Thursday, September 24. Every gift, no matter the size, fuels community spirit and helps local nonprofits thrive.

Your support directly powers MSHI’s mission—connecting people of all ages to the wonder, science, and beauty of the mountain through hands-on education, stewardship, and outdoor exploration. Together, we’re caring for this treasured landscape and inspiring the next generation.

Help us build momentum: rally your friends, spread the word, and make an impact. Visit our page to make your Give More 24! gift today.

Boots & Bow Ties Just One Month Away!

Dust off your hiking boots and straighten up your bow ties—Boots & Bow Ties is coming up on Saturday, October 10 at The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA! This one-of-a-kind night blends outdoor spirit with formal flair: think daypack meets DJ, Sasquatch photo ops, delicious food, wines donated from Abbey Road Farm and Elk Cove Vineyards, a gallery of volcano-inspired art, and exciting live and silent auctions.

It’s a celebration that’s as fun as it is impactful—every ticket supports MSHI's mission to connect people with Mount St. Helens through science, education, and stewardship.

🎟️ Don't wait! Ticket sales close Thursday, October 1!

We’re especially grateful to our presenting sponsor, Davidson & Associates Insurance, not only for their generosity but also for their support of nonprofits throughout Southwest Washington.  

And a big thank you to our additional sponsors for making this night possible:

Join us for an unforgettable evening this October!

Get to Know John Mahoney

Hi y'all, for those of you I'm meeting for the first time, I'm John Mahoney, the Volunteer Programs Manager (VPM) for MSHI. I joined MSHI in early 2025, primarily as an assistant guide for summit climbs, then transitioned into my role as VPM just over a year ago. I've enjoyed every moment as the conduit between the mission of MSHI and the folks who volunteer their time, energy, and trail snacks to this wonderful place.

My background is a little atypical; I worked in professional baseball for several years before transitioning to the MSHI world. Supporting and championing our volunteers quickly became my mission once I learned how impactful they are, not just as ambassadors for MSHI's mission, but as advocates for our region and the role we all play in its future. That impact is especially clear in our volunteer program: we have more than 450 active volunteers, with at least 300 logging hours annually. Zooming out even further, MSHI volunteers have interacted with over 113,000 members of the public since I joined.

For context: if everyone who met an MSHI volunteer on the trail, at a visitor center, during an education program, or at an event since I’ve been around decided to gather in Seattle all at once, we'd need every last seat at Lumen Field (home of the two-time Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks) and T-Mobile Park (home of the Seattle Mariners, who play competitive baseball, sometimes, when they feel like it)—and a few folks would still have to stand.

More impressive than superlatives and hypothetical crowd scenes is the opportunity to add my small contribution to the sense of community and belonging our volunteers have created. This cohort is a dynamic, colorful mosaic of people with countless backgrounds, life experiences, and skill sets, yet their passion for Mount St. Helens is what connects them. The joy and love they bring to their work nearly registers on the Richter Scale (that's an earth science joke), but more importantly, it registers with everyone who makes the journey to learn about this unique landscape. I'm often reminded of the simple power of a welcoming smile, a check-in on the trail, or a friendly question about conditions when someone tells me how excited they were to spot a sun-faded hat and a red shirt out and about.

Every morning, after taking my dogs (Lou and Benny) for their walk and daily encounter with the magical smells of our local TriMet bus stop, I get to enjoy my favorite little ritual: making coffee and reading our volunteers' trail reports. It's a small window into their day, but it lets me feel like I'm walking Norway Pass during wildflower bloom, or tagging along on a fourth-grade field trip through Ape Cave. More than anything, though, it's their passion and their own words that I look forward to each day - who they met and where they came from, or the person who shared a personal connection to the mountain, the lake, or the land. It's all equally impactful.

Anyway, thanks for supporting MSHI and our volunteers. It's been an incredible journey so far, and I'm always looking forward to the next conversation and laugh. If you see me around, say hi. If you see a volunteer, say thanks. And maybe ask them for a sticker.

Join Us on National Public Lands Day

Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with MSHI and the US Forest Service. 

Photos: Allen Bennett, Ralf Wiegand, & Ian Reed  

As part of this fee-free day across all federal public lands, you can join any one of three events based around the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater:

1. Off-Trail Stewardship Day & Bonus Guided Hike

• Time: 10 AM–4 PM (Volunteering: 10 AM–1 PM | Guided Walk: 2–4 PM)
• Location: Science and Learning Center & Hummocks Trail
• Details: Tackle invasive weeds off-trail (using hand tools) while taking in the volcanic views, then cap off the day with a guided hike along the Hummocks Trail to explore eruptive remnants and regenerating forests. Registration required.

2. Interpretive Lakes Trail Cleanup

• Time: 10 AM–4 PM (Volunteering: 10 AM–1 PM | Interpretive Walk: 2–4 PM)
• Location: Birth of a Lake Trail/Coldwater Lake
• Details: Give back to the well-loved Birth of a Lake Trail through light brushing, retreading, and litter pickup. Follow up with an insightful post-service walk to learn more about the 1980 eruption, its effects on the landscape, and how Coldwater Lake was formed. Registration required.

3. Family Activities at the Science and Learning Center

• Time: 10 AM–4 PM
• Location: Science and Learning at Coldwater
• Details: Stop by anytime during the day to enjoy free admission, educational displays and partner booths, and family-friendly activities.   

Breaking Barriers with Alpine Ascents

Diversity in the outdoors matters. We're super proud of our very own Chris Chou—selected as one of six participants in this year's Alpine Ascents BIPOC Guide Development Program! This (highly competitive) mentorship and training initiative aims to increase the representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals in the professional mountain guiding space.

The program focuses on glaciated climbing, risk management, and leadership skills, while also fostering the community and confidence needed to thrive in the field, helping to build a growing network of BIPOC climbers and create a stronger, more inclusive outdoor industry.

Read about Chris's experience, his personal reflections on achieving this milestone career goal, and what completing the program means for the future in this new MSHI blog.

Volcano Views & Brews Returns

We’re excited to share our upcoming Views & Brews—an opportunity to learn and connect while supporting local hangouts. This lineup brings something for everyone, from personal stories to natural history and essential hiking info. Plus, we’re switching up venues (stay tuned), so enjoy a night out whether it's in your neighborhood or you're visiting a new one!

Let's explore new perspectives together:

September 24: Under the Ash with Michael Cairns. Listen to a firsthand account of the search, rescue, and recovery operations after the May 18, 1980, eruption, from a helicopter pilot who flew the missions. Location: Heathen Brewing and Kitchen, 2225 NE 119th St Suite #109, Vancouver, WA 98686.

November 10: In the Range of Fire and Ice with David B. Williams. Join the author on a journey through Washington's Cascade Range—where fire, ice, wildlife, and human stories collide—viewing the landscape through the lenses of flora, fauna, geology, local history, and more! Location: TBD.

December 3: Day Hiking the Olympic Peninsula with Craig Romano. Come take a slideshow hiking tour around the Olympic Peninsula. Drawing from the new edition of his guidebook, Craig will introduce you to a diverse array of trails, from easy nature walks to wilderness romps. Location: Heathen Brewing and Kitchen, 2225 NE 119th St Suite #109, Vancouver, WA 98686.

Tickets are just $10. 

Register today

A Mount St. Helens Film Night!

MSHI has partnered with the Northwest International Film Festival and Lower Columbia College for a very special evening of films centered around Mount St. Helens. This free event highlights new films (including one from our very own GeoGirls!), along with some you may have seen before, and features a panel of local experts discussing the films and our favorite volcano.

• Date: September 23
• Time: 5-7 PM 
• Location: Lower Columbia College, Health & Science (HSB) Building, Room  101, 1600 Maple St, Longview, WA 98632
• Admission: No registration or ticket required!

2026 Events at a Glance

• Mount St. Helens Film Night: September 23
• Volcano Views & Brews: September 24, November 10, and December 3
• National Public Lands Stewardship Day: September 26 
• Mushroom Foraging: September 27 plus October 11, 17, and 24
• Boots & Bow Ties 2026: October 10
• Autumn Photography Hike: October 18

 See the full 2026 program schedule and register on the website.

*2027 events and program dates will launch later this fall*

Thanks for reading. Please contact us if you have any questions or comments about this issue of Rumblings.