From Trail Work to Teaching: Rune’s Workforce Journey
Rune at work on the chipper program
Rune joined GPI's Adult Outdoor Work Crew last summer, drawn to the opportunity to gain experience in forestry, restoration, and outdoor recreation. One of the unique aspects of GPI's Workforce Development program is the opportunities to work on a wide range of projects from forest surveys, to trail maintenance, to restoration of historic buildings. During one such project, the crew helped with GPI's Day of Service at the Darrington Middle School, assisting middle school students to install native plants on school grounds. Rune credits this day of service experience working with middle school students for his decision to pursue his teaching certification at Western Washington University this fall.
Through GPI's Workforce Development program, Rune was also able to explore an internship with the US Forest Service to serve in their Eagle Watchers program and at the front desk of the Darrington Ranger Station. While there, he took on various responsibilities and voluntary opportunities to learn about public and youth education, outdoor rec maintenance, and typical office duties. Of this experience, Rune states, "The people working here at the Darrington Ranger Station are respectful, compassionate, patient and understanding, and I always tried my best to learn and grow under their supervision and guidance, since I knew that they always had good faith in my potential. I am grateful for the environment I got to work in and the opportunity to challenge myself and learn from both mentors and my own mistakes."
In His Own Words
Rune says about the program, "I am coming out of it more confident, more responsible, and more certain than ever about my plans and desires for my career and further education. I feel very strongly that I am coming away from this experience as a more well-rounded, confident and capable adult, and I know that I will be taking the many lessons learned from both the Forest Service and Glacier Peak Institute with me throughout my life and career. All these gained traits and lessons learned are thanks to twelve months of hard work, collaboration and all the compassion and meaningfulness instilled in everything that we have done. It is thanks to GPI's belief in supporting the community and our most vulnerable youth and adults that I have been given the tools and support I need to be secure and self-sustaining during my upcoming years studying at Western Washington University. The Outdoor Workforce program, so far as I'm concerned, achieved what it set out to do. What's more, I have an appreciation and love and knowledge of the outdoors and our ecosystem that I would not have gained without you, and will carry with me for the rest of my life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for this critical life experience."
GPI, the Forest Service, and the Darrington community extend a huge thank you to Rune for all his efforts and great work, and wish him all the very best this fall and beyond!
Rune, 3rd from the right, picutured with the workforce crew.
