The Mount St. Helens Institute, founded in 1996, connects people of all ages to Mount St. Helens and our natural world through educational programming designed to enrich visitors’ appreciation and understanding of the Pacific Northwest’s youngest and most active volcano. We are proud of the many ways we connect people to the volcano they love, from outdoor youth education programs hosted at the Mount St. Helens Science & Learning Center, to expert-led field seminars and guided exploration programs, to meaningful volunteer opportunities across Mount St. Helens and the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Mount St. Helens Institute is a 501(c) private, nonprofit organization devoted to helping people understand and protect the volcano.