In the Wild

Thomas McNairn with Conservation Strategy Group

Thomas is currently working at Conservation Strategy Group (CSG), a lobbying and strategy firm focused on long-term political and funding strategies to help clients reach their environmental goals.

Lisa Crowley with American Rivers

Last summer, Lisa completed a fellowship with the non-profit organization, American Rivers. American Rivers’ mission is to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers and conserve clean water for people and nature. This mission is closely tied to the necessary integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all American Rivers’ projects.

Zayleen Kalalo at NOAA Fisheries

Zayleen is currently interning with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Branch for NOAA Fisheries, out of their California..

Abegail Gamet at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Abegail is interning at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Region 9 office in San Francisco, CA. The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. Specifically, the agency ensures that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, as well as equal access to the decision-making process regardless of race, gender, income, etc.

Andrea Grant at the National Park Service

Over the summer, I have been working with the National Park Service as a Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA). For the past few months, I have been in the orientation phase of the internship program but now I am beginning to work on some of my practicum deliverables. These include an outreach plan, habitat restoration and conservation projects, service learning curriculum, and diversity, equity and inclusion training.

Molly Nagle at the California Department of Conservation

Global consensus among conservation and climate change scientists believes 30% of earth must be set aside for conservation efforts by 2030 to avoid the worst impacts of biodiversity loss due to climate change and human development. Many governments have begun to issue 30x30 goals in their local jurisdictions. Executive Order N-82-20 mandated that California join this global effort.

Daniela Arce at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

My practicum is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the federal agency tasked with the administration of the Endangered Species Act. I am working out of the Ecological Services office in the Sacramento regional office. My project is to create a program that partners the USFWS with academic institutions to meet the research needs of federally listed species outlined in their Recovery Plans and/or Five Year Reviews. The program will include projects for federally listed species as well as at-risk species.

Sam Pyros at the City of Chula Vista's Office of Sustainability

I have had the pleasure of working with the City of Chula Vista’s Office of Sustainability for my practicum project. For my project, I have identified a list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 food generators for edible food recovery in preparation for Senate Bill 1383. Currently, I am in the process of creating and providing educational packets for these food generators.

Jim McBride at the California Department of Conservation

I’ve had the pleasure of working at the California Department of Conservation within the Division of Land Resource Protection for my practicum this summer. My primary focus is updating grant guidelines for the Working Lands and Riparian Restoration program. This grant program focuses on the protection and restoration of riparian areas on private agricultural land. This grant cycle will see the introduction of a new planning grant component, in addition to funding for the implementation of restoration projects.