Congratulations to the Fall 2023 Natural Resource Interns - Olivia, Danny, Katya, Kaitlin, Preston, Sofia, Jesus, and Lauren - on completing their semester-long experience with ACT! Collectively, these 8 interns gave nearly 1400 hours of their time to assisting ACT with various land management projects on our preserves and on private lands. This semester, interns built a boardwalk at the end of the Orange Trail at Little Orange Creek; worked on burn site preparations by reducing hardwoods at Little Orange Creek, Prairie Creek Preserve, and Fox Pen Preserve; completed a reroute of the connector trail at Blues Creek Ravine Preserve; and treated invasives at Orange Lake Overlook, Santa Fe River Preserve, LEAFS, and Prairie Creek Preserve.
Additionally, they learned about safe use and maintenance of power tools like chainsaws and brushcutters, learned about forestry and completed a timber cruise, wrote a fire prescription, learned about cave crayfish from biologist Paul Moler, collected Lopsided Indiangrass seeds at Goethe State Forest, completed a survey for endangered Etoniah Rosemary at Etoniah Creek State Forest, helped dig graves at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, networked with private landowners, and learned about grant-writing.
Interns have found meaning in the experiences they gained over the semester. Our interns explain in their own words what they took out of ACT’s Natural Resource Management Internship:
“The ACT Natural Resources Internship Program is one of the greatest places to develop not only a strong skill set, but also strong connections with peers and professionals in the field of natural resources. I have spent two separate semesters interning with ACT and have not felt like a moment was wasted. I have come out of both semesters feeling worlds more confident in my skills, and feeling significantly more knowledgeable. I have nothing but high praise to give ACT and I strongly recommend the opportunity to everyone who has any interest. ”
“In essence, the Alachua Conservation Trust has helped me to rekindle a love and deep appreciation for the world around me. Through the work of the natural resource internship program, I’ve been able to acquire relevant skills pertaining to the natural resource world. This includes those of prescribed fire, grant-writing, and fieldwork. Most importantly, I’ve learned the skills needed to work independently and in team environments. I can say with confidence that I would love to pursue a career in the natural resource world. Thanks to ACT and their wonderful staff, this goal is more obtainable and possible. ”
“I had fun at ACT this semester. I learned a lot and will build on these skills. I made food friends and felt good about the work we were doing. ACT is a great organization made up of great people. ”
“My internship with ACT gave me so much valuable information regarding natural resource and land management. I learned how to effectively use a variety of power tools, identify plant species, properly manage invasive plants, and even how prescribed fire works and how to write a fire prescription. This is in addition to learning how ACT operates in things like grant-writing and volunteer events. I’m incredibly grateful for my time at ACT and will use the information I learned here to further my environmental career. ”
“The past semester with ACT has been an incredible and invaluable experience. The support and guidance from the ACT staff reminded me of the value of conservation and reassured me that this is the right field for me to pursue. The countless new fieldwork skills, as well as the supportive environment, provided me with confidence that I will carry into the future. Some of the most beneficial skills I learned were wildlife habitat management herbicide application, and prescribed fire. I really enjoyed the opportunity to consistently work with a crew of conservation focused individuals. The structure of the internship, including visiting different preserves every day provides the opportunity to experience many ecosystems and learn how land management is different between environments. Overall, I am so grateful for this internship opportunity and the skills and confidence it provided me. ”
“I really enjoyed my time as a Natural Resource Intern for the Fall 2023 semester. I learned a lot of new skills, such as writing prescriptions for prescribed fires, using power tools, applying and mixing herbicide to control certain plant species, and identifying plant communities. As interns, we also got to interact with a lot of professionals and learn about potential career opportunities. Everyone at ACT was very welcoming and throughout my time here, I feel like I learned more about what I would like to do for my future career. One of the most memorable moments for me was seeing the difference from the first time I used the chainsaw and how much better I got throughout the internship. ”
“My time at ACT is one I will never forget. I’ve spent the last two semesters here growing as a person thanks to this program. I’ve gained confidence in skills I’d never thought I’d have: using a chainsaw, working on prescribed fires, and learning tons about plants. Better yet, I’ve been welcomed into a community of caring and knowledgeable people. I loved working as an intern at ACT more than words can describe, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. ”
Internship applications for the Spring 2024 semester are closed, but applications for the Summer 2024 internship will open at the beginning of March. The Summer 2024 internship will run from May 20th through August 8th. For more information on the Natural Resource internship, check out our website here. If you have questions about the Natural Resource Management Internship, please reach out to Amy Compare by email here.
If you would like to support the growth and development of young natural resource professionals, consider donating to the Internship Fund In Memory of Ryan Crowder & Julia Reiskind online here or by mail to:
Alachua Conservation Trust
7204 SE County Road 234
Gainesville, FL 32641
