I am an incoming third-year student pursuing a Joint Honours degree in Environment and Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies. I am very passionate about environmental justice and the relationship between humans and our environment. This summer, I also took a plant ecology course which led me to become much more interested in natural history. I was able to combine these two passions as an environmental education intern at the Howard County Conservancy, where I worked to implement programming at their summer camp. Through this internship, I hoped to encourage responsible environmental stewardship in campers while developing a stronger sense of place and better understanding of my local ecology. I also wanted to learn how to communicate my academic environmental knowledge to others in a professional, hands-on environment. I have always enjoyed working with children and have started to love being outside, and I thought this internship could help strengthen my career goals.
I really admire the work that the Howard County Conservancy does to connect visitors to nature and foster environmental stewardship. They are a non-profit environmental education center with two locations in Howard County, MD. The Conservancy educates youth and adults about environmental stewardship and ecosystems, focusing on the local animal and plant life found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It is home to Mt. Pleasant, a 325-year-old farm which now operates as a nature reserve and educational facility. Mt. Pleasant contains more than 232 acres of rolling hills and a diverse range of habitats, which makes it an amazing place for nature study and exploration. It has more than 140 species of birds and other wildlife, offering insight into the Patapsco Valley. The nature camps are held outdoors in the Gudelsky Environmental Education Center for children ages 5-12. They are designed to nurture respect for the natural world, increase awareness of environmental issues, and instill a sense of stewardship.
My role as an environmental education intern is similar to that of an assistant counselor. I work on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the 5- and 6- year old group in support of the camp counselor. I help to facilitate nature-themed activities such as crafts, games, and hikes. I am learning how to communicate simplified ecological knowledge while developing leadership, conflict resolution, and behavioral management skills. One challenge I have encountered is that I have not substantially increased my environmental knowledge, but my childcare abilities. However, I have built upon my place-based knowledge and strengthened my native species awareness. I also recognize that communicating small lessons about environmental protection to the next generation is crucial to fighting the climate crisis. I find working with children extremely rewarding, as they can understand messages better than some adults and teach me that change is possible. I love observing their simple pleasures and sincerity. I really enjoy getting to let out my inner child and engage in endless games and conversation. They can be very frustrating to handle, but I have tried to improve my management strategies while maintaining patience and positivity. I am unsure whether I would be able to handle working outside and with children full-time, but glad to know what it is like. I am also lucky to work at such a beautiful place with kind and enthusiastic coworkers who have helped make this such a positive experience.
I am not receiving academic credit for this internship, but it has definitely further solidified my passion for environmental studies. I am glad to have better awareness of the professional opportunities available to me post-graduation. I am so grateful to have received funding for this internship, which allowed me to explore my academic passions in a professional environment without stressing about finances. I would like to sincerely thank Dean Lisa Shapiro for making my amazing summer at the Howard County Conservancy possible through the Dean of Arts Development Fund.
