What makes an event successful? Can an event be successful if only one person shows up? Can it be successful if you end up far short of your goal of number of trees planted? What if everyone needs to shelter in vehicles because of a storm for more than half of the time of your event?

It felt good to be able to experience, first hand, a program which I played a small part in creating. It was such a fantastic feeling to see it come to life after watching those who made it possible work so hard during its creation.

Even though it is now 2019, Young’s words speak truth to power, in that 1 in 5 young people live with diagnosed learning differences and attention issues according to a new study by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). Of this statistic, I am one and want to see change in the way we address the stigma of coping with such challenges.

Connecticut has some of the strongest opponents to guns in their government. Hartford is plagued with gun violence and gangs. It is about an hour away from Sandy Hook. And we are a park that mainly focuses on the accomplishments of a gun manufacturer. What does that mean to this community?

There is a disconnect between the National Park Service and communities who have historically been excluded or not represented in the park service workforce. As an urban park in Seattle, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLSE) has a unique opportunity to facilitate urban community groups’ involvement with Washington state's traditional ‘nature’ national parks.

Emma Lord is a Fellow with the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program and is based in New Hampshire. This is Emma’s third term of service with RTCA, where she focuses on assisting the National Park Service with Wild and Scenic River projects.  

Stewards VISTA Liz Sautter just started her service year with The Wilds, a Safari Park in Ohio, in February. It seems like she’s already diving right in to her service working with volunteer outreach, completing wildlife camera checks, and helping develop this year’s Outstanding Wilds Learning (OWL) program. 

At the edge of the dunes in White Sands National Monument Park, Joseph Montoya feverishly uncovers evidence of beasts who used to roam the American Southwest. These tracks have lasted the test of time, and upon Montoya’s discoveries, they are now a part of learning resources for visitors of all kinds.

Laurel Mundy recently finished a three-month AmeriCorps term at Denali National Park & Preserve with the Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program.  

In Chelsea Sullivan’s Public Affairs internship with the National Park Service’s Office of Communications, she gained an impressive array of experience handling all manner of NPS communications duties.