Since beginning my term as a Resource Assistant with the USDA Forest Service in October 2024, I have had the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of initiatives within the Forest Health Protection division. As a program under State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, Forest Health Protection's mission is to provide financial and technical assistance, conduct monitoring, develop technologies, solutions, and recommendations to collaboratively address the issues of forest health threats such as insects, diseases, and invasive plants. In Region 3 of the Forest Service, we cover New Mexico and Arizona, including eleven national forests and a national grassland.

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway | June 26, 2025 The National Park Service deeply values its Volunteers in Parks (VIPs), whose tireless dedication contributes millions of service hours each year. This invaluable support directly strengthens our ability to preserve and protect our cherished natural and cultural heritage. VIPs are essential in expanding the NPS's capacity, enabling crucial work in diverse areas such as habitat restoration, site maintenance, educational outreach, recreational support, and citizen science initiatives.

The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) program, managed in partnership between Conservation Legacy’s Stewards Individual Placement Program and the National Park Service’s (NPS) Volunteers-In-Parks program, is now recruiting paid interns for the Fall 2025 cohort.

May 15, 2025 - This last winter, I was a Scientists in Parks Cave and Karst Intern at Great Basin National Park. In addition to learning how to go caving, organizing and participating in this year’s Lint Camps, and taking part in a bunch of super fun bird and snow surveys, I was tasked with analyzing all of our existing temperature and humidity data for the park’s 40 caves.