Internship Experiences

Katie Das – Summer 2023

My name is Katie Das (she/her) and I was a naturalist intern this summer and last at the Kane County Forest Preserve located in Illinois! I spent the days doing nature education with children by taking them on guided hikes, explaining ecosystem services, and educating about plant species identification and the importance of complex ecosystems to our environment! I also led a capstone project all about moths and their integral role in our ecosystem!

Olivia Nole – Summer 2023

This past summer (2023), I had the privilege to intern with the UC Davis Lake Tahoe Environmental Research Center in the chemistry department! I learned valuable skills in water and nutrient analyses and furthered my knowledge of environmental issues, both scientific and political, within the Lake Tahoe watershed. I was also able to conduct an independent research project on the mortality of Asian clams, a pervasive invasive species in the area, when exposed to hydrogen peroxide.

Anna Snyder – Fall 2023-Spring 2024

Through the Jay N. Darling institute, I have had the opportunity to intern at Madison County Conservation. There I work in communications and events planning for their upcoming Cultivating Connections initiative. I cultivated professional skills in stakeholder engagement and marketing and learned a ton about native plants and ecosystems.