Ecological Restoration Intern crews: 2022

The prairies, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands of Madison Audubon’s sanctuaries get a huge boost each summer through our two paid ecological restoration internship programs. Each summer, 10-12 undergraduate students spend 40 hours per week studying and practicing the techniques of bringing landscapes back to their native glory. We can’t thank them enough for their hard work and energy!

Five interns will be based at Faville Grove Sanctuary in Jefferson County, also helping at Hope Lake Bog, and Snapper Prairie and Faville Prairie State Natural Areas. The interns participating in the Prairie Partners program will be in Dane and Columbia Counties at Goose Pond Sanctuary, Cherokee Marsh, Empire Prairies State Natural Area, Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area, and Pheasant Branch Conservancy. We are excited for them to join us in this important work!

Cover photo by Jack Doughtery

HAILEY COLLINS

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Peacock

I am most looking forward to spending time in nature and seeing the carnivorous plants at Hope Lake Bog!

I am from Madison, Wisconsin, and will be entering my senior year at UW-Madison as a Communication Arts and Environmental Studies major. I became interested in conservation and the environment through my interactions with nature and wildlife, as well as classes I have taken such as ecology. I am an avid gardener and houseplant keeper, especially of carnivorous plants!

MARIN DANZ

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Common Loon

What I am most excited about for this summer is expanding my species identification abilities, especially with prairie plants.

My name is Marin Danz and I am excited to be a student intern with the Audubon Society this summer. I'm just finishing up my freshman year at UW-Madison and plan on studying environmental science and communication arts. As a native of the Wisconsin driftless area, I'm excited to play a part in restoring the landscapes I've enjoyed hiking and camping in all of my life. Outside of school, I am an avid rock climber, filmmaker, and fiddle player!

MERCEDES HERNANDEZ-NATERA

Current school: Madison College
Favorite bird: Bohemian Waxwing

I look forward to collaborating with the team to make a positive impact on the environment through the efforts of ecological restoration.

I am a current Liberal Arts student at Madison College. I will graduate from Madison College in 2023 with an Associate of Science degree. I plan to transfer over to UW Madison to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Ecology. At the age of 15, I began to explore natural areas and preserves throughout Madison. With each passing year, my time outside has taught me to value and appreciate nature more and more. In this way, my passion and love to care for the environment have only grown. My bike rides through the UW Arboretum and along Lake Mendota remain some of the happiest moments I have experienced in life. Spending time in nature has shown me how beautiful the world can still be. As such, it is an absolute honor to be a part of the summer intern team for the Faville Grove Sanctuary this year! With this internship opportunity, I am most excited to expand my knowledge in nature conservation.

SPENCER NOTH-HAZEN

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Kiwi

I am looking forward to doing work in the field as this will be my first internship.

I am currently a junior studying conservation biology at UW-Madison. I enjoy being in nature and taking walks in parks. One of my hobbies is playing the trumpet. I have been playing the trumpet since middle school and I am in a band at UW-Madison this spring semester. I am almost as passionate about music as I am conservation.

DYLAN WENDRICKS

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Great Blue Heron

The thing I am looking forward to most this summer is learning more about native plants and animals.

I am a freshman at UW-Madison studying Environmental Sciences. I am from Madison and graduated from La Follette High School in 2021. Growing up I was very involved in Boy Scouts where I developed a love for nature and reached the rank of Eagle Scout. In my spare time I like to go fly fishing, hiking with my dog Daisy, and going camping.

COLLIN CHENEY

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Sandhill Crane

I am most excited to learn more about birding and improve my bird identification this summer.

I have been working in prairie restoration and conservation for two years now (both with the Friends of Brooklyn Wildlife Area) and have really enjoyed it. I like being able to work with my hands and to leave a project knowing I’ve made a difference. We have lost so much wilderness and what is left is under immense pressure so I really enjoy being able to work in those areas and help preserve what is left. I am going to UW-Madison next year and plan on majoring in either Wildlife Ecology or Conservation Biology and am super excited to work with the Madison team for some more field experience!

EMILY DOMNICK

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Common Loon

I am most excited to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the diverse plant community that fuels the native prairies of Wisconsin.

I am an undergraduate senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Forest & Wildlife Ecology. I grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, but spent many summers exploring the lakes of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin and thoroughly enjoy spending my time outdoors. Whether it’s relaxing in a hammock or kayaking down the nearest river, I love exploring and learning more about the environment around me. After I graduate, I am hoping to explore more and contribute to research in biodiversity and conservation as they relate to climate change. I’m excited to be a Prairie Partner this summer!

BECCA LENNIE

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Blue Jay

I'm looking forward to an amazing summer in the field!

I am a junior at University of Wisconsin-Madison, double majoring in Conservation Biology and Landscape and Urban Studies. I am from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and have been connected to nature for as long as I can remember. This summer I am looking forward to meeting my coworkers and to being able to apply my learning in so many different and beautiful nature conservancies. If I were to choose a favorite bird I would have to say the classic Blue Jay, I grew up in an area where they were very common and have always been mesmerized by their intense color!

LAUREN STIELOW

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Red-tailed Hawk

I am looking forward to learning more about restoration ecology, expanding my knowledge on invasive and native herbaceous plants and meeting new people!

I will be senior at UW-Madison this Fall, majoring in Environmental Science. I am an active person and I enjoy playing volleyball and weightlifting. I try my best to eat a more plant-based diet and make decisions that are environmentally friendly. I have a twin sister and an older sister. I love to hike, go on walks, and spend a lot of my time outdoors and with family. I am in the WI National Guard and finished training this past February, so I am ready to get back into my passion of Environmental Science. I look forward to meeting everyone in May!

ELLA TARPEY

Current school: UW-Madison
Favorite bird: Black-capped Chickadee

I'm most excited to work outside everyday on restoring the natural spaces that I love, while hopefully spotting some of my beloved native tree species.

I'm a senior at UW-Madison studying conservation biology. I'm originally from Milwaukee, WI and am very grateful to have grown up playing outside in Wisconsin's lakes and prairies. I'm particularly interested in wetland ecology, agroecology, and dendrology. In my free time, I enjoy climbing, writing, painting, and cooking.  

EMMA RAASCH - Goose Pond Sanctuary eight-month seasonal worker (former Prairie Partner intern)

UW-Madison alumna
Favorite bird: Northern Harrier

I am most looking forward to seeing the prairie come alive again with the plants, insects, and birds that she's missed during the winter.

I am happy to be back at Goose Pond Sanctuary! In 2019, I first came to Goose Pond to collect seed and tag monarch butterflies, and was instantly hooked on all things prairie restoration. While attending UW-Madison and majoring in Conservation Biology and English, I’ve continued to volunteer at Goose Pond, and after graduation worked as a Prairie Partner intern through Madison Audubon. Following the summer internship, I stayed on board as a seed collector in the fall before working as an LTE wildlife technician for the DNR. Although I can't really narrow down a favorite bird, I have enjoyed watching the Tree Swallows return to Goose Pond to reclaim their nest boxes!