‘A unique and powerful story’

Despite cuts, Mount St. Helens Institute committed to providing educational resources

By Shari Phiel, Staff writer

May 22, 2025 8:00 am

Environment, News

Mount St. Helens, seen here from Ridgefield in 2022, continues to draw interest 45 years after its cataclysmic 1980 eruption. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

Mount St. Helens looms in the background as second- and third-grade students practice some hands-on science at the Science and Learning Center. (Gina Roberti/Mount St. Helens Institute)

Mount St. Helens Institute’s youth education programs reached 2,203 students in 2024, according to the nonprofit’s annual report. (Contributed by Mount St. Helens Institute)

Hazel Dell Middle School students walk into the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Science and Learning Center at Coldwater on May 23, 2023. The nonprofit Mount St. Helens Institute uses the building to conduct youth education programs. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

School buses park in front of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Science and Learning Center at Coldwater on May 23, 2023. The nonprofit Mount St. Helens Institute uses the building to conduct youth education programs. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian files)

Mount St. Helens Institute’s youth education programs reached 2,203 students in 2024, according to the nonprofit’s annual report. (Contributed by Mount St. Helens Institute)

Since 1996, scientists, researchers, staff and volunteers at Mount St. Helens Institute have been working to educate students and visitors about the mountain’s unique volcanic landscape. Despite recent staffing and budget cuts at the U.S. Forest Service, which oversees management and operations of the national monument, the institute remains committed to providing educational resources to visitors.

“We’re really focusing on making sure that we’re continuing to bring high-quality programming to youth with our science education programs, to visitors to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument with our guided adventures, and that our volunteers are well-trained and able to support visitors while they’re visiting the monument,” said Alyssa Hoyt, co-executive director for the institute.

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