About the Crater Lake Institute

We are an independent, non-profit organization not officially affiliated with Crater lake National Park or the National Park Service (NPS), as a "park partner". This allows us to be strong advocates of the park without feeling obliged to agree with the National Park Service on all issues. We are in the process of applying for our tax-exempt non-profit status.

Many of our friends are ex-Crater Lake National Park researchers, natural historians, and long-time visitors who are passionate about getting the message out to all visitors concerning Crater Lake National Park's unique natural and cultural history.

Robert Mutch received a B.S. in Anthropology from Washington State University and has worked for the federal government before starting his own stock nature photography business and helping the Crater Lake Institute....

Owen Hoffman graduated from San Jose State College in biological conservation, received an M.S. in fisheries limnology from Oregon State University, and a Ph. D. in ecology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Owen worked as a park ranger-naturalist at Crater Lake, Zion and Yosemite National Parks from 1966 until 1971....

Rod Cranson served as an interpretive ranger at Crater Lake National Park for seven summer seasons. Rod received both his Bachelor of Science and Master degrees from Michigan State University in preparation for a career in petroleum geology. However, the opportunity to teach Earth Science in high school led to a career in education, including 27 years in the Science Department at Lansing Community College.

Larry Smith is a tireless worker for Crater Lake National Park, serving on the board of the Friends of Crater Lake, having worked as a ranger naturalist at Crater Lake National Park, and having taught 5th graders in Jacksonville, Oregon for 33 years. Larry worked two seasons at Crater lake National Park on Roads and Trails, 7 seasons as a Park Interpreter, and 14 seasons as a Park Ranger General in Park Protection and Law Enforcement.

Ron Mastrogiuseppe received a B.S. degree in forest science from West Virginia University and an M.S. in forest ecology from Humboldt State University. Ron worked for the National Park Service at Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Crater Lake, Olympic, and Redwoods National Parks as a naturalist/interpreter....