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Mount St. Helens Institute eNews
This month we are taking a moment to commemorate the 57 people who died in the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens and reflect on the loss that their families, friends, and communities still live with today. The eruption may seem like a long time ago, but it is a powerful reminder that while we can't tame geological forces, we can still seek to better understand them.
In this edition of Rumblings we cover:
Volcano Awareness Month
Eruption Anniversary Views and Brews
Five Days Left to Help Us Meet the Moment
Educating at 3,000 Feet
Choose Your Own Adventure...
Congratulations to the Class of 2026
GeoGirls Organizers Prepare For Field Camp
Stewardship Days Are Here!
2026 Dates at a Glance
Photo courtesy of Carol Campbell
Volcano Awareness Month
May is recognized as Volcano Awareness Month in the State of Washington, with events around the region giving residents the opportunity to learn more about volcanic hazards and engage with scientists, emergency managers, and other experts. Some of theevents happening this year include:
Volcano Day at the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals (May 16)
Join us virtually on Monday, May 18at 6:30 p.m. for aspecial edition of Views and Brews commemorating the 46th anniversary of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. USGS Scientist Emerita Carolyn Driedger will be sharing her personal memories of being in the field that day and exploring how this single cataclysmic event reshaped volcano science, emergency planning, and public education around the world. Admission is just $10 per household for livestream access.
This spring, your gift to the Mount St. Helens Institute keeps kids in the field, volunteers on the mountain, and this extraordinary place accessible to everyone who needs it — at a time when this work matters more than ever.
Five days remain in our spring campaign. New donors and those who increase their gift over last year's will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $7,500 total.
As we approach the 46th eruption anniversary, your support keeps the volcano’s legacy alive.
Contribute today and be part of the volcano’s next chapter.
Meet Shelby, our new Youth Programs and Rental Programs Coordinator. Shelby told us,"Five years ago, if anyone had asked me “Where do you see yourself in five years?” the last possible answer would have been “Educating kids at an active volcano.” But here I sit. Typing this at 3,000 feet, just miles from one of the most active volcanoes in the Cascades region. And I feel so incredibly lucky to be here.
I was born and raised in the south Puget Sound area, less than an hour’s drive from Mount Rainier. I have three kids (all boys), two cats, and a bearded dragon. My favorite fish is the rainbow trout. My favorite tree is a tie between the big leaf maple and the western hemlock. My favorite bird is an impossible choice, please don’t make me pick one.
I believe protecting these beautiful, vital public outdoor spaces starts with the sharing of knowledge. My motto is “You can’t protect what you don’t love. You can’t love what you don’t know.” It is my reminder of the “Why?” for the work we do in conservation, in community outreach, and in education. I have a strong desire to leave a positive impact on the world and understand that the future of conservation is in the hands of our youth.
Before coming to MSHI, I spent three years doing environmental education at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Olympia. My passion lies in connecting communities, especially youth and underrepresented groups, to the wilderness in their backyards (literally and further afield). I am most looking forward to building relationships with the communities in and around Mount St. Helens and hearing their stories."
Joining Shelby at the Science and Learning Center this year are Katie O'Dea and Marie Bryan, our seasonal educators, who are already sharing the wonders of the volcano with bus loads of students rolling up the hill for a field trip like no other. Find out more about our seasonal team on the MSHI staff page.
Choose Your Own Adventure...
Whether you're looking for a base in the blast zone, or a tranquil place to get away from stresses of everyday life, we have the spot for you.
We offer carefree camping experiences including meals, access to restroom facilities, and a range of optional activities. Just bring up your tent or RV and we'll sort out the rest. Explorers can catch a sunrise over Coldwater Peak, paddlers can take their kayak or SUP out on the lake, and daydreamers can, well, dream. Enjoy comfort and community, or your own little space to sit back and soak up those volcanic views — at MSHI Base Camp you get to choose how the story of your weekend unfolds.
Over 12 engaging weeks, this year'sVolcano Naturalist Programexplored the eruptive history, ecology, and cultural landscape of Mount St. Helens through virtual classes and field trips led by passionate experts in their fields.
At the end of April we enjoyed blue skies and great stories on a guided hike of the Hummocks, followed by more glorious crater views at the Science and Learning Center, where we had a little afterparty to celebrate our newly certified Volcano Naturalists.
The program culminated in a very close-run trivia night hosted by Volunteer Program Manager and quizmaster extraordinaire John Mahoney, where who else could have triumphed but Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Manager Dusty Vaughn! Ringers aside, there was an impressive depth of understanding on display.
We were struck by the participants' enthusiasm and insightful questions as they dove deeper into all the different topics surrounding Mount St. Helens. This community will be missed but hopefully not for long — some folks have already joined our red hat crew! We are confident that they'll find volunteering for MSHI as rewarding as completing the program. We look forward to seeing the Volcano Naturalists out on the trail or at a visitor center this summer.
To all of our guest speakers, guides, and field trip volunteers: Thank you for enriching this experience with both your knowledge and your humor. We truly appreciate everything you have brought to this year's program.
As Mount St. Helens shakes off winter, we are already preparing for GeoGirls, an immersive field camp scheduled for August 3–7, 2026. This annual program, led by MSHI and the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, invites middle school students to explore Earth systems through hands-on STEAM experiences.
Supported by organizations like the Association for Women Geoscientists, GeoGirls partners students with guest scientists to build technical skills and confidence. During the week, participants will hike through a lava tube, use petrographic microscopes to examine igneous rocks, learn how volcanoes affect ecology and ecosystems, deploy seismic and GPS/GNSS equipment to analyze real-world data, participate in a volcanic crisis mission, and develop leadership qualities.
By connecting students with a network of professionals from federal agencies and universities, GeoGirls fosters an environment where young people can envision a future in scientific careers. Participants leave with not only critical thinking skills but a deeper connection to the natural world.
Stewardship Days Are Here!
Mount St. Helens Institute is offering a series of stewardship events where you can support public lands. Join us for a rewarding morning of invasive-species removal, followed by lunch and a free optional 2.4-mile guided hike on the Hummocks Trail.
When: June 27, July 25, and September 26 (National Public Lands Day)
Event Schedule:
Invasive weed removal 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lunch 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Guided Hummocks Trail hike 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: Free; registration required.
Ages: Recommended for ages 10 and older; youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Mount St. Helens Institute operates under a special use permit from the US Forest Service and is honored to work on the Traditional Cultural Property, ancestral and present-day lands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
Mount St. Helens Institute is an equal opportunity provider.
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