Internship Helps Advance Farmland Protection

My name is Carianne Carnevale and I am a senior geography major at SUNY Geneseo.

I also have a minor in mathematics and am working to obtain a micro-credential in GIS (computer mapping Geographic Information Systems).

Earlier in my college career, my diverse array of academic interests made it difficult for me to choose a major.

Specifically, I have always been passionate about sustainability and environmental conservation, while also having interests in mathematics and data analysis.

I discovered GIS during my sophomore year at Geneseo and immediately knew that the discipline combined all of my passions. I also love that GIS is such a versatile tool that offers many career opportunities for my post-college years.

I am very grateful to be interning with the Genesee Valley Conservancy this semester. It is especially rewarding to improve my GIS skills and learn more about the technology’s direct applications in land conservation.

I enjoy using GIS for conservation and have been able to use it in ways that I have not had much experience with in my college courses.

I have also learned more about the business behind land conservation and how the Conservancy facilitates this work through the use of conservation easements and other land protection mechanisms.

Currently, I am working with Land Conservationist, Matt Halladay, and Land Steward, Lina Clifford, on a cooperative land acquisition project. My role in this project is to use GIS to examine privately owned land that is adjacent to currently protected public places and identify surrounding land parcels that are potentially worthy of conservation work. Once these parcels are identified, a database for outreach is created and will be used to track interactions between Conservancy staff and landowners for potential land acquisition to be merged with the existing public lands.

Overall, this internship greatly fits within my aspirations and learning desires. I am lucky to be able to gain first-hand experience in a field I am passionate about before graduating college. I also enjoy learning from the professionals at the Conservancy and hope to maintain connections with them in my post-college career.