Mina Jun: Future of the Issaquah Alps
Mina Jun stands with IATC President Kelly Jiang, Mayor Mary Lou Pauly and Issaquah City Council members. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
By Joel Gartenberg, IATC Board member
Last month, the City of Issaquah presented its 2025 environmental awards at City Hall, recognizing two remarkable individuals: Steve Williams, recipient of the Ruth and Dan Kees Award for a Sustainable Environment, and Gibson Ek High School senior Mina Jun, who received the Community Environmental Award. Mayor Mary Lou Pauly opened the ceremony, explaining that the awards honor individuals who embody Ruth Kees's passion and energy, acknowledging both long-serving figures and new leaders.
Junior Ranger Program
Before the awards ceremony, high school senior Mina Jun spoke with the clarity of someone with a decade of experience. She explained that her flagship project, the reason for her award, is a comprehensive Junior Ranger Program for the City of Issaquah.
"For a couple of years now, we've had printed badges that said 'Junior Ranger,' but we haven't had a curriculum to go alongside them," Jun explained.
Mina Jun being interviewed by Joel Gartenberg. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
She designed a self-guided program/pamphlet connecting local community organizations. Partners include the Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC), Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH), Issaquah History Museum, and Mountains to Sound Greenway. Activities range from FISH's "Survive the Odds" salmon game to finding Jacob Two Trees on the Rainier Trail. The pamphlet also includes educational content on topics such as invasive and native plants, wildlife tracking, and coexisting with local carnivore species.
Jun believes her program resonates with a younger audience, empowering them to advocate for coexistence.
"Middle schoolers are really interested in wildlife and big animals," she noted. "If we teach them that it's not the animals' fault—they're just living in the environment we've changed—they'll take that message back to their parents. Maybe then their families will get bear-proof trash cans or take other steps to coexist better."
The Junior Ranger Program launches at the end of May with two kickoff events. One is the Wildlife Coexistence Day at Pickering Barn on June 7. The other is with IATC during the Harvey Manning 100th birthday celebration on July 9, where Mina is creating a modified Junior Ranger program scavenger hunt.
The program is designed to be accessible to all. "The idea is that it's all free and self-guided," Mina explained. "Kids can go around on their own time. If they complete it in a week, that's really impressive, but if they take a whole year, there's really no time limit."
Participants can mail completed pamphlets to the park ranger office or visit any partner location for a certificate and even a badge.
Mina Jun receives her Community Environmental Award with family, friends, council members, and Mayor Pauly. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Honoring Steve Williams
The evening also honored Steve Williams with the Ruth and Dan Kees Award for his decades of regional service. Williams, who could not attend, managed Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park for 20 years.
IATC founding board member, David Kappler, accepted the Ruth and Dan Kees award on behalf of Steve Williams. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
As the renowned Issaquah Alps advocate Harvey Manning once stated, “Steve Williams set such a high standard managing Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park that his successor will be hard-pressed to match it.” Williams has been deeply involved with the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, serving as a board member from 2006 to 2018 and as president from 2008 to 2010. His key contributions include planning trail connections and conserving the Park Pointe parcel on Tiger Mountain.
Reflections
From established figures like Steve Williams to inspiring young leaders like Mina Jun, the Issaquah Alps benefit from passionate individuals dedicated to its future, regardless of age. To see Mina’s vision in action, be sure to check out the Junior Ranger booth during both Wildlife Coexistence Day on June 7 and the Harvey Manning 100th birthday celebration.