Summer 2024 interns

The prairies, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) 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! Six 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. Three interns will be based at Goose Pond Sanctuary in Columbia County, also helping at Otsego Marsh and Erstad Prairie. We are excited for them to join us in this important work!

We are also excited to welcome our first intern from the Natural Resource Foundation of Wisconsin’s Diversity in Conservation program. This intern will join our staff, both in the office and in the field, to explore the many facets of conservation work four days each week, then spend one day each week learning with the program’s intern cohort.

Cover photo by Jack Doughtery. A prairie with white and purple flowers.

Tyler Atwood (any pronouns)
Colorado State University
Favorite bird: Great Blue Heron

I decided to apply because restoration is my passion, I enjoy it, and I’d love to get more experience. I’m looking forward to spending lots of time outside and learning. I’m super excited to see the area we will work in. I love Wisconsin’s ecological landscapes.

I’ve lived in Madison my entire life; I’m a big nature nerd and love learning about plants and foraging. I knew if I went to college, it would have to be for something in the natural resources field. I specifically remember wanting to help ecosystems. I saw foresters on Instagram posting about ecological restoration, and I thought, “Wow, how cool.” It sparked my interest, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to be a restoration ecology major. I knew that Colorado State University had a great program for it, so I decided to go there. I will be finishing my first year in May. In my free time, I like to go for long hikes, watch anime, hang out with friends, and play tennis.

Soraya Castle (she/her)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: White-winged Dove

I wanted to spend the summer actually participating in ecological restoration and want to learn more about if this is the kind of thing I want to do in the future. I am looking forward to working with the other interns and spending time outdoors!

I am a conservation biology and zoology student from Austin and am very excited to intern at Faville Grove Sanctuary this summer! I care a lot about protecting biodiversity and want to spend my career doing that. I’ve discovered that I’m particularly interested in prescribed burning and aquatic ecosystems. In my free time, I enjoy painting, outdoor exploring, reading, board games, all kinds of movement, and dissecting movies with my friends.

Parker Gimbel (he/him)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Elf Owl

I applied to this internship because my friend worked here and he said it was very fun. Working at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve was the best experience I’ve had in college, and I want to continue doing something similar. I am most looking forward to learning new plant species.

I am from Milwaukee, although I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. I am majoring in environmental science, and plan to go into environmental restoration as a career. I have always been interested in nature, especially after exploring the Smoky Mountains. For fun, I like to play guitar, read, and bike around Madison.

Maxwell Heilig (he/him)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Hummingbirds

I applied to work for the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance as a means to further my experience in conservation fieldwork practices. This internship also offers a great opportunity to work outside this summer! I am most looking forward to learning invasive species management techniques. Besides this, I’m excited to make some friends in the field and soak up as much sun as I can.

I am a senior studying environmental studies and political science. I grew up in Milwaukee and really enjoy living here in Madison. I love outdoor recreation endeavors like camping, hiking, and kayaking. Besides things like these, I love spending time with friends and family while doing things like attending concerts or outdoor music festivals. I look forward to launching my career in conservation work following my graduation!

Emma Ruth Holton (she/her)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Great Blue Heron, Red-winged Blackbird is a close second

I applied to join this internship program to learn more about Wisconsin ecology and conservation. I also wanted to be doing hands-on work in a natural environment. I am most excited to spend my summer outside in a beautiful landscape with like-minded people!

I am a student at UW–Madison currently pursuing a degree in Conservation Biology with a certificate in American Indian Studies. I desire a career path focused on conserving natural landscapes while also considering socio-economic issues. I enjoy going on hikes, swimming, and riding my bike. I also love to watch movies, read books, and I am a proud cat owner.

Sara Rider (she/her)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Barn Swallow

I applied to this program because I want to learn more hands-on skills regarding habitat restoration. I’m excited to learn more about seed-saving!

I’m a senior majoring in conservation biology with certificates in education and American Indian and Indigenous studies. I currently do research on the impact of cropland expansion on endangered and threatened bird species in the Prairie Pothole Region, which is a grassland-wetland matrix that stretches from Minnesota to Montana. I’m originally from northern Virginia but fell in love with Wisconsin because of the snow, people, and history of conservation. Two summers ago, I worked at a wildlife rehabilitation center where I developed a love for birds. Some of my favorite birds to work with were swallows, owls, and hawks! I even got the chance to hold a female Bald Eagle and Snowy Owl. In my free time, I love birding, hiking, camping, and reading. Last summer, I backpacked for three weeks in western Montana—it was one of my favorite experiences! I’m excited to be able to spend this summer outside doing what I love.

Andi Hokanson (they/them)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Sanderling

I applied to this internship because last summer, I worked as a field technician doing invasive species removal at a nature center in my hometown—it was a really great experience! I am most looking forward to learning how to catch and band birds.

I am a conservation biology student at UW–Madison. I am from a little beach town in Michigan and have always loved the flora and fauna of the Great Lakes region. After I graduate, I hope to do habitat restoration in ecosystems across the country. For now, I am very excited to work with the folks at Goose Pond to make a better environment for our local critters. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, painting, photography, strumming my guitar, cooking, and traveling.

Andy Smith (he/him)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Chestnut-sided Warbler

I applied to the internship program because of my passion for birds and other wildlife. I am looking forward to learning more about the field of conservation as a whole this summer.

I am a current sophomore majoring in Forest Science. For as long as I can remember I have loved birds and birding. It really is something that I am very passionate about and is, without a doubt, my true calling. I am incredibly excited to work as an intern at Goose Pond this summer, not only because it is a fantastic opportunity that will help my future in conservation and wildlife, but also because I have been birding there since I was very young. Aside from birding, I also enjoy playing soccer and making music, both singing and playing my trombone.

Hailey Wedewer (she/her)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Indigo Bunting

I applied for this internship program because I wanted an internship where I would be primarily outside and where I could see the difference my work is making and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity! I am looking forward to learning more about Wisconsin prairies and how they are similar and different to those in Iowa!

As a junior majoring in Conservation Biology, I have a passion for restoring nature and hope to make a positive impact in any way I can. I am originally from the Driftless Area of Iowa and in past summers have worked at various museums and nature centers there. Before transferring to UW this past fall I spent 11 months in Green Iowa Americorps where I gained experience in both environmental education and wildlife/natural resource management. My favorite part of the experience was participating in several prescribed burns. I loved spending nearly 40 hours a week outside and have been eager to get back to it. When not studying or spending time outside, you can find me taking care of my mini-indoor greenhouse, crocheting, embroidering, or reading.

Helena Bello (she/her)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Favorite bird: Prothonotary Warbler

I applied to join this internship program because it is an excellent opportunity to explore and learn about different sectors of work in conservation and it aligns with my interests in bird conservation! I am looking forward to getting out in the field and maybe even conducting some bird banding.

I am a rising junior at UW–Madison, double majoring in legal studies and environmental studies with a certificate in criminal justice. I was born and raised in Washington, DC, where I found a passion for environmental justice and hope to go to law school after my undergraduate studies to follow this passion. I would like to become an environmental lawyer to protect the environment, its people, and wildlife. I have always loved animals, but hold a special interest in birds and birdwatching, which I discovered during the Covid pandemic.