Fall 2021 Internship Recap

By Mitchell Stevenson and Jess Moses

FALL 2021 INTERNSHIP RECAP - MITCHELL STEVENSON

During my time as an outreach intern with Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT), I felt as if I was making a meaningful and positive impact on the North Central Florida natural community, and in the world of sustainability at large. From conducting interviews with community members, to documenting ACT’s impact on local communities, to helping to facilitate a Pride festival at Prairie Creek Lodge, I was able to interact with people from across northern Florida and see the impacts that ACT has on the natural environment and all who enjoy it.

My favorite moments in this internship were undoubtedly being at both the Pride at Prairie Creek festival and attending the McIntosh 1890s Festival. I very much enjoy meeting people, and in both cases I was able to make connections with community members who were interested in preservation of the natural world. Speaking with individuals about their personal experiences and connections to the lands around them was fascinating, just as I felt useful by providing information for these people about our preserves and resources for them to be able to get outdoors. Between these moments and the interviews I was able to conduct with our supporters and volunteers, I was able to make contact with some amazing people.

Finally, what I learned in this program is that people truly appreciate the work that the team at ACT strives to achieve. Sustainability begs for change to be implemented effectively, and ACT has found a strong footing for achieving the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity all over northern Florida. Perhaps the largest sentiment I heard from people I spoke with was a sense of gratitude for helping to support the springs, forests, and lands of Northern Florida. I learned that as much as land preservation concerns protecting the natural world, it is also about providing the people with a place to meditate, be active, and scratch the itch that every human has to be in nature. People need the natural world just as the natural world needs us to be responsible stewards.

By Mitchell Stevenson

FALL 2021 INTERNSHIP RECAP - JESS MOSES

Of all my volunteer and internship experiences, my time with ACT has probably been the most surprising. I entered into the internship hoping to gain more practice in environmental education with elementary school students. The thought of working with adults instead of kids was admittedly nerve-wracking. Little did I know that I would gain incredible new insight into my interests and career goals, including that I actually loved working with adults! Additionally, I now know that although graduate school is still a possibility, my overarching goal right now is to enter the workforce. My goal is to use environmental science and nature as avenues towards mental wellbeing, community, and fellowship, as I've participated in doing for the past few months. As an outreach intern, every week was a different set of activities and tasks, some more novel and challenging than others.

The most prevalent tasks consisted of tabling at public events. Engaging with the community during these events was the most rewarding part. It was also the most challenging. I had to be ready to have conversations with a relatively diverse and unknown audience. Communicating with the public in any capacity challenged me to be clear and concise. This involved using accessible language with people with all different levels of knowledge and experience. These skills are not only beneficial for outreach and community events but for environmental education, as well.

Along with those primary tasks, there were many others. I was able to kayak multiple times, including the Sante Fe River and Silver Springs (where I saw a wild manatee for the first time!) Other tasks, and a new venture for me, included creating marketing materials, such as ACT’s preserve videos and conservation blog. Alongside my fellow intern Mitchell Stevenson, I also planned and filmed a preserve video for Blues Creek Ravine Preserve! These are all essential elements to outreach and engaging and fun ways to communicate information to the public. Additionally, as part of ACT's recent effort to redesign ACT’s preserve kiosks and other informative signs, I conducted historical research with attention to Black and Indigenous communities to acknowledge the land we operate on. Overall, there was an incredible amount of variety in our tasks and duties this semester. This allowed us to gain experience in our specific interests while still allowing us to venture out, participate and learn about other aspects of our fields.

One of my favorite experiences during these past few months was the Pride at Prairie Creek event. It was the perfect example of the importance of community and how the outdoors can be an incredible avenue for that. Thanks to Lianne and Ema, I was able to see the behind-the-scenes of hosting a public event such as this one. Most notably, I learned that something will always go wrong, and that is okay! Even with all the preparation and planning, this is inevitable. The most crucial step is to take the feedback and blunders and use them to better the next event.

I am really excited to stick around for the upcoming Spring semester and hope to continue learning about outreach and community development. It has been a wonderful semester, and I look forward to continuing to grow with ACT, not only in regards to natural resource conservation but in inclusivity and accessibility, as well. No matter what they are, this internship will work with your goals and interests and provide excellent experience and mentorship!

By Jess Moses