Each summer at Bosque del Apache, we welcome a new crew of college interns to the refuge. This truly is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Not only do interns assist with important work, like conducting surveys, assisting with invasive species control, developing new environmental education curriculum and signage and helping prepare the refuge for the upcoming high season, but during their time here, students are also mentored and gain invaluable career experience and on-the-job skills to build their resumes while they’re at it.
Friends of Bosque del Apache is very proud to have funded the hiring of dozens of summer interns over the years to assist the refuge’s biology, visitor services and maintenance teams in accomplishing all the important work that must be done during this very critical but short timeframe each year. We could not have such a strong internship program without your generous support! Thanks to your donations, Friends has provided funding for this important program since 2017, to the tune of nearly $80,000! In that time, we’ve helped ensure that nearly thirty-five individuals have enjoyed the opportunity of learning and contributing during a hands-on summer internship at beautiful Bosque del Apache.
In this month’s Feature Story, we introduce you to this year’s group of bright and enthusiastic young student interns as they wrap up their projects and reflect on what they learned during their summer spent at Bosque del Apache.
Kevyn Amezcua
Having graduated with my Master’s of Science in Biology in December 2024, I knew I wanted to work in conservation at the federal level. I really enjoyed working at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge this summer, especially because I am a birder who is always excited to add a new bird species to my life list. To work in a location that hosts habitat for a diverse assemblage of bird species gave the work that I do meaning and purpose. This experience has cemented my aspirations to pursue a career in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Doing inventory for the invasive plants on the refuge was hard yet rewarding work. We felt encouraged to be productive at our own pace. We also participated in the Yellow-billed Cuckoo surveys and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher surveys, which gave us the great opportunity to work with two migratory bird species. Refuge Biologists, Shayla Marsh and Claire Revekant were both wonderful mentors who were very knowledgeable and created a great working environment that felt inspiring and enjoyable. I am very thankful for their guidance and will forever carry the knowledge they gave me. I am also thankful for the Strike Team who trained us in plant identification and methodology in conducting these surveys. There is plenty of important work that occurs at this refuge and I deeply appreciate the work that the staff and volunteers do to ensure habitat for many species of wildlife.
Leah McMillan
Spending my summer at Bosque del Apache makes me feel like the luckiest javelina in the herd. Every facet of this experience exceeded my expectations; I will forever cherish my memories of the marshy sunrises, fantastic flora and flora, and incredibly supportive and passionate coworkers. While surveying for invasive plants, I got to explore endless nooks of the refuge and always stumbled across unexpected and charming wildlife, which shifted in form and behavior with the seasons. My supervisor, Shayla March, along with the Strike Team, biology crew, and my fellow ACE interns were all so knowledgeable, curious, motivated, and cooperative and I learned so much from everyone while sincerely enjoying everyone’s company.
I (sadly) left the internship early as I was offered a scholarship for a Painting and Drawing Master of Fine Arts at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I have always been incredibly drawn to both tending to native ecologies and creating art, and I look forward to weaving these passions together in the future. My experience contributing to the restoration of the native ecology of Bosque del Apache and basking in its beautiful landscape will enrich all my forthcoming endeavors in both nurturing the land and creating artworks.
Sean Silva
As a recent graduate in Geography (M.A.), I wanted to get involved in the field of conservation. That is why I’m thankful to the staff at Bosque del Apache (BdA) National Wildlife Refuge for providing me with the opportunity to contribute! The six months I spent inventorying the invasive plant species throughout the refuge provided an invaluable experience and a plethora of skills that I believe will help me potentially contribute to the success of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission.
While I gained much knowledge regarding the invasive plant species that inhabit much of the Middle Rio Grande Valley, I also got to participate in the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Yellow-billed Cuckoo (endangered birds) surveys. I’m beyond grateful to Shayla, Claire, the Invasive Species Strike Team, and the entire staff for their guidance and trust during my time at BdA. I truly appreciate their ceaseless effort to make the refuge successfully thrive for the enjoyment of the wildlife and the American people.