Mount St. Helens Institute asks Cowlitz County to back expansion of Coldwater Ridge outdoor school and seek state, federal funding

Alisa Hoyt, co-executive director of the Mount Saint Helens Institute, asked the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to support the institute's bid for state and federal funds to expand outdoor education and visitor infrastructure at Coldwater Ridge and the nearby Coldwater Ridge Science and Learning Center.

"We really want to serve more Cowlitz County youth," Hoyt said, describing a phased plan that would add modular student housing and staff housing to increase overnight outdoor-school capacity from a single classroom to four classrooms. Hoyt said the institute will seek a state capital request (she described the request as $3,000,000) and is pursuing federal funding and partnerships, but that some building repairs are the federal government's responsibility because the facilities are on U.S. Forest Service land.

The institute presented several details about the project and its timeline. The organization received a 30-year permit from the Forest Service in 2022 that it said is essential to secure financing and loans for site improvements. It has nearly completed design work for a campground (state-funded design work expected to finish by June) and has concept designs for student housing. Hoyt said the institute expects modular cabins and site work could be built and installed within two years of receiving capital funding.

Hoyt described partnerships and recent funding: a three-year, $900,000 grant from the Cowlitz tribe (referred to in the presentation) funds programs specifically for tribal youth, and the institute runs a variety of education and volunteer programs from its Coldwater Ridge campus. She told commissioners that road access work by WSDOT is expected to be completed in fall 2026; the Forest Service has restored power and USGS webcams at Johnston Ridge are operational but covered in snow seasonally.

On the facility at Coldwater Ridge, Hoyt said the visitor building has major mechanical and envelope problems including a failing septic system, heating issues and a leaking roof. "I can't fundraise to repair this building. It's owned by the federal government. It's their responsibility to do it," she said, adding that federal investment in the Forest Service facility is critical to the overall project.

Hoyt asked the commissioners for three key forms of support: (1) a local endorsement or letter the institute can cite in state capital-request materials; (2) advocacy for a Mount Saint Helens specialty license plate whose proceeds would support the institute; and (3) federal advocacy for funding to repair and maintain the visitor center and to support monument infrastructure. She said the institute estimates the campus expansion could yield $5 million to $10 million in additional regional spending annually once complete.

Commissioners voiced general support during the presentation. "I personally am in support of it, and I like it," one commissioner said. The board did not take a formal vote; a commissioner said the board would consider a formal endorsement when all members were present.

Hoyt also described program capacity and demand: the institute runs outdoor-school day and overnight programs, a GeoGirls summer program, guided adventures, volunteer and trail crews, and provides subsidized slots for low-income schools. Current overnight capacity is limited to 27 bunk beds in two rooms; the expansion would add approximately 20 beds and staff housing to serve more classrooms and increase overnight outdoor-school offerings for Cowlitz County and surrounding districts.

Hoyt closed by asking commissioners to contact state and federal legislators and to consider providing a local letter of support for the institute's capital request and license-plate initiative.