David, originally from Oʻahu, completed his internship with the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center, which provides care for all of Hawaiʻi's native winged wildlife. After completing two weeks of training in bird handling and care, he worked on the Manu o Ku soft release program and the Oʻahu Seabird Aid program, focusing on white terns and wedge-tailed shearwaters. He also created outreach materials for public events. His favorite part of the internship was participating in the release of wedge-tailed shearwaters. The most challenging aspect was learning graphic design to develop outreach content.

Alex, originally from Pennsylvania, interned with the Natural Area Reserve System (NARS). He assisted in the 2019 Palila release at Puʻu Mali to help restore this endangered honeycreeper population. His work included involvement with the ʻAlalā Project, bird banding, and invasive predator control. His favorite part of the experience was contributing to the recovery of a species with fewer than 1,000 individuals in the wild. The most challenging task was the frequent, strenuous hikes up the slopes of Mauna Kea to track birds using radio telemetry.

Talavi, from Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, interned with the Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute, a nonprofit rooted in Indigenous ecological knowledge and cultural preservation. Her work included building infrastructure like a chicken coop, maintaining herb gardens and a seed bank, and managing a variety of animals and pond ecosystems. Her favorite part was reconnecting with traditional Pueblo methods to support environmental and personal health. One major challenge was adapting to the month-long Pueblo Food Experience, which limited her diet to pre-contact foods—but she experienced significant health benefits and planned to continue the lifestyle long-term.

Samantha, from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, interned at the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) in Hilo. She split her time between assisting in the bivalve hatchery and helping renovate a pavilion into a children’s learning center focused on environmental education. She valued the chance to participate in community outreach and education. The biggest challenge she faced during her internship? The pervasive presence of fire ants on site.

Leilā, from Pāpaʻikou, Hilo Palikū, interned with Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU). Her responsibilities included restoring the ʻāina at Koholālele, leading educational group visits, and creating a curriculum guide for future ʻāina educators. She also collected water samples to monitor ahupuaʻa health. Her favorite part of the internship was building relationships with her community while teaching others how to connect with and care for ʻāina. The most challenging experience was weed whacking guinea grass without proper protective clothing—but it taught her the importance of preparation in fieldwork.

John, from Jacksonville, Arkansas, interned with the National Park Service at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. As part of the Interpretation Department, he helped visitors explore the park’s natural and cultural resources and began developing a new ranger talk. His favorite moment was delivering test versions of his talk and seeing visitors engage in meaningful conservation discussions. The most challenging part was balancing an honest message about environmental threats with a positive, empowering visitor experience.

Maya, from North Kohala, Hawaiʻi, interned with the Three Mountain Alliance, a watershed partnership conducting restoration and monitoring efforts. She assisted the data manager by inputting and synthesizing field data, co-writing reports, and collecting restoration data. Her favorite part of the internship was fieldwork and report writing—skills she planned to use throughout her career. The most challenging task was producing a digital report using ArcMap and Google Earth.

Amanda, from Alaska, interned with the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC). She worked with invasive plant data to assess the effectiveness of management efforts and had in-depth conversations with colleagues about conservation challenges. Her favorite part of the internship was those thoughtful discussions, while the hardest part was answering BIISC’s central question: “Is our work actually making a difference?”

Kelsey, from Ohio, served as the Response Intern at Ke Kai Ola, The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiʻi Island facility. She coordinated volunteer seal response efforts, conducted public outreach, led facility tours, and supported data collection on wild seals. Her favorite part was having open, bidirectional conversations with the public about ocean conservation. The most challenging part was making quick, complex decisions during seal response scenarios. Fun fact: The Hawaiian monk seal is the state mammal of Hawaiʻi.

Wilson, from Soldotna, Alaska, interned with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) as a fisheries technician. He collected genetic and catch-per-unit-effort data on chinook and sockeye salmon to guide sustainable fisheries management on the Kenai River. His duties included gill netting, fish measurement, population structure analysis, and creel surveys—interviewing anglers about their catch. While working outdoors was his favorite part, he found the creel surveys and engaging strangers in conversation particularly intimidating at first.

Kelsey, from Napa Valley, California, interned with the Hawaiʻi Island Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Project. Her work included monitoring nesting females, tagging turtles, and assisting with nest excavations on remote Big Island beaches. She described the experience as immersive and deeply rewarding, especially getting to witness hatchling releases. The biggest challenge was the physically demanding and remote nature of the fieldwork—but it was well worth it.

Kimo, from Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi, interned with the Ola Design Group, where he applied geospatial techniques to landscape and environmental planning. He helped design and manage aerial imagery projects and shared his knowledge of GIS with others. His favorite part was making a real impact in his community, while the most challenging experience was leading his first solo project and mentoring field interns.

Vanessa, from Arizona, interned with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the Astrobiogeochemistry Lab. She worked with biomarkers called maleimides to analyze ancient marine ecosystems using compound-specific isotope analysis. She described JPL as a place of unparalleled collaboration and innovation. Her favorite moment was seeing the Mars rover under assembly—an awe-inspiring experience that deepened her commitment to science. The hardest part was being away from home for 15 weeks, but she found it transformative both personally and professionally.