After many years of living and working in flatlands, my partner and I decided to move to Washington to be closer to the mountains and forests that had captivated us on our vacations out west. Little did we know we chose to move right at the beginning of a long pandemic. 

When we arrived in our tiny apartment in Seattle in March 2020, I was apprehensive about being isolated in a new city.  Fortunately, the outdoors kept us sane and active. I felt especially lucky to be able to drive to the three Washington National Parks: Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades. These lands, which are situated on the land of many Tribal Nations, are now home to countless flora and fauna, thousands of miles of trails, and boast millions of visitors a year. 

I can't wait to share these parks with the latest member of our family,  Alistair, and hope that they'll be preserved for generations to come.  Please join me advancing WNPF's mission to advance research, expand stewardship, and provide for youth and family programs in Washington's National Parks.