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Mount St. Helens Institute eNews
Have you been enjoying National Great Outdoors Month? June is not only the time to reconnect with nature and explore our public lands but also to support our LGBTQIA+ community. At MSHI we strive to meet people where they are, providing inclusive and welcoming experiences for all. Our calendar is full with an exciting roster of events—we hope that you can join us this summer!
News you'll find in this month's edition of Rumblings:
Stewardship in Action: MSHI Welcomes the 2026 Volunteers
Behind the Backpacks: Meet Your Guides
Private Family Adventures
Where Art and Science Converge
Erupt With Impact: Partner With Purpose
Live MSHI Volcano Cam
New Season, New Merch
Coming to a Highway Near You: Mount St. Helens License Plates!
We're Going on a Salamander Hunt
Photo courtesy of Isabel Adams
Stewardship in Action
Last month we wrapped up volunteer orientation for 2026 and were thrilled to welcome 55 new volunteers along with a horde of returning crew members.
For the second year in the row, we offered a dedicated training session for our Ape Cave Stewards. Led by Trevor Ness of the US Forest Service, this provided valuable information on assisting visitors, protecting the cave environment, and enhancing the overall experience at Mount St. Helens. Volunteers also learned about the different areas they can rove while on duty, helping to ensure that this incredible site remains accessible and enjoyable for all. It was a typical damp May day, so we appreciate all the folks who made the time to learn more about volunteering at Ape Cave.
Coming up this month, we are pleased that many others will be joining us for Volcano Ambassador training, covering support at visitor centers, and Mountain Steward training, focusing on engaging with visitors at trails and trailheads.
As we kickoff another summer of mountain adventures, we are pleased to introduce the skilled guides making up our 2026 team. This year’s crew is ready to provide our participants with safe, fun, and unforgettable experiences.
Kate Wheeler, Noah Gosnell, Gary Williams, and Matt "Mattie" D'Agrosa are seasoned lead guides at Mount St. Helens. Joining them is Aaron Sugg who, while new to MSHI, has a wealth of professional guiding experience. We are also pleased to welcome back Heather Aschenbrenner and Shelby McConnell as assistant guides along with Trixie Honeywell, a long-time volunteer climbing steward (who you may recognize from her iconic heart-shaped sunglasses.) Rounding out the team are dynamic husband-and-wife duo Bill and Beth Burk, who will be managing operations at our field camp.
Whether they are fueling up on summit ramen, clocking triple-digit trail miles, or cooking up a backcountry feast, our 2026 crew embodies the Mount St. Helens Institute's spirit of adventure and stewardship. You can learn more about the team on our staff page.
Private Family Adventures
Discover Mount St. Helens your way with a private family adventure. You can join our fantastic interpretive staff for a customized, kid-friendly experience exploring the volcanic landscape of Mount St. Helens—the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest.
Private family adventures are led by our educators can be scheduled for groups of 2-15 people, with trails, activities, and interpretive themes curated to the needs and interests of your group. Come get to know this place in a more behind-the-scenes way. Inquire with our educational team to schedule today!
It won't be long before we're welcoming our first Artists in Residenceof 2026 to the Science & Learning Center at Coldwater. This residency provides artists with the time and space for self-paced work, reflection, and creative exploration in a stunning volcanic setting.
Nolan Wagneris a multidisciplinary artist whose work stems from his deep appreciation of the landscape and people of the Pacific Northwest. He creates beautiful yet functional pieces like utilitarian pottery and block-printed clothing. Nolan shared that "During the residency, I look forward to growing my knowledge of the mountain through observational drawings and paintings that will inspire future work to share the beauty of Southwest Washington with others."
Tamra Shelinedraws on her background in graphic design and illustration to "create work that balances technical precision with the freedom of creative experimentation. My practice thrives on both yupo and canvas, allowing me to explore and celebrate the unique qualities of each medium. Each painting feels like a delightful adventure, reflecting my love of discovery and the beauty that emerges when water, color, and imagination meet." For Tamra, art is a joyful journey in exploration and expression.
We can't wait to see how Mount St. Helens shapes their work. Even better, you can experience their creativity firsthand! Both Nolan and Tamra will be leadingfun, hands-on art projects at our Family Adventure Camp over July 10-12, 2026.
MSHI provides transformative experiences for people of all ages and abilities, from hands-on youth education programs to expert-led guided adventures, but we can't do it alone—we are indebted to our partners for pledging their support. Thank you to all of the businesses already making a difference!
Boots & Bow Ties Sponsors: Davidson & Associates Insurance, iQ Credit Union, Riverview Bank, MacKay Sposito, and Columbia Bank.
Whether you want to invest in equitable access to the outdoors, support volunteerism and environmental stewardship, or increase your visibility in the Pacific Northwest, we have sponsorship opportunities that will meet your aims. Or consider donating an auction item for Boots & Bow Ties. Save the date! Our signature annual gala will be taking place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver.
We can customize packages to fit your organization's goals and interests (contact Co-Director Alyssa Hoyt to find out more.) Let’s shape the future of science education and stewardship together!
Want to see what the weather is like at Mount St. Helens right now? Take a look at our new Volcano Cam showing the conditions at Mount St. Helens and Coldwater Lake. Thanks to Hanwha Vision and G.B. Manchester for providing the camera, and staff member Ian Reed for getting it all set up!
Want your business' name on the feed? Ask Alyssa about being a Volcano Cam Sponsor!
With the summer solstice just around the corner, the MSHI store is stocked with fresh pieces designed to keep you comfortable, whether you’re crushing miles on exposed ridge lines or just lounging on the couch and dreaming about your next trip to the volcano.
We’ve got the whole family covered with sun hoodies, tank tops, and quarter zips and even baby onesies (because it’s never too early to start fostering a love for the outdoors.) You'll find designs to show your PRIDE and also new seasonal designs to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States in style (especially if, like me, you plan to be out on the mountain that weekend!) To ensure your shirt arrives in time, orders need to be placed byJune 18.
Every single purchase directly supports our mission and programs at MSHI. Gear up, look great, and give back all at the same time!
In case you haven't already heard the exciting news, the official Mount St. Helens specialty license plate is a major step closer to reality! We are thrilled to share that the tweaked design recently passed optical testing and has entered production. If all goes smoothly, you should be able to purchase your very own plate in September🤞!!
We are incredibly grateful to everyone whose dedication and support kept this project moving over the years. Special thanks go to Senator Adrian Cortes, whose leadership brought the bill across the finish line, and Representative Ed Orcutt, who tirelessly championed the plate for multiple legislative sessions.
The plate looks striking, and we can't wait to accessorize our vehicles and proudly show our love for this magnificent volcanic landscape. Best of all, your purchase makes a direct and lasting impact. Sales from every plate will help fund our youth and volunteer programs, vital trail maintenance, and community science initiatives.
We will share exact details on when and how to order your plate as soon as they are finalized. Eyes on the prize: We will be auctioning off the first 25 plate numbers! Keep a close watch on this space if you want a shot at driving away with VM00001. Stay up to date with theMount St. Helens License Plate page.
We're Going on a Salamander Hunt
Did somebody say "just herp"? This is your last chance to join lead guide and professional Wildlife Biologist Mattie D'Agrosa as we go in search of slugs, snails, and salamanders. If you're curious about the hidden world at your feet and want a shot at finding the elusive Malone Jumping Slug, this is the trip for you!
What: Forest Floor Ecology Hike
When: June 28, 2026, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: Starting from the Trail of Two Forests Interpretative Site
Age: Any! Youth under 17 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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