Spring Intern: Reflections on My Conservancy Experience
During my spring senior semester, I had the opportunity to intern with the wonderful people at Genesee Valley Conservancy. They gave me the chance to experience working life within such an organization while I finished up my degree.
Following in the footsteps of other organizations, the Conservancy set out to explore the feasibility of a 30 by 30 plan, in line with the goal set by President Biden of protecting 30% of the country’s lands by 2030.
This project seeks to reverse the negative impacts of biodiversity decline and increase widespread access to preserved nature areas.
For my internship, I assisted the Conservancy in taking stock of how much of the region is already protected and conducted further analysis of which unprotected lands within the region are most suitable for conservation.
This project took a wide variety of factors into account, such as land use and resilience — a measure of an area’s ability to adapt to the changing climate.
In the Genesee River watershed, the Conservancy’s service area, approximately 14% of the land has been preserved, a number that will only increase.
This project is far from the only benefit I have received from this internship. Attendance at weekly staff meetings as well as important conversations with Conservancy employees have given me great insight into the daily operations of the organization.
I have gained a deep understanding of the process when acquiring, preserving, and protecting vast parcels of land. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a board meeting.
Talking with board members has allowed me to connect myself to the area and its conservation in ways that I was not able to before. Speaking with individuals who truly care about the region and what happens to its land is like a breath of fresh air: we are all working together with a common goal of protecting the land we love.
The experience I have had while working with the Conservancy has been invaluable. Before this opportunity, I had yet to step foot into a professional environment that was willing to let me use the skills I have learned to their maximum extent.
As someone who did not know exactly what they wanted to do post-undergrad, my experience with the Conservancy has provided great structure as well as a path for me to follow once I graduate. I cannot thank them enough for how much they have assisted me thus far.
You Can Support a Future Intern
A semester long internship costs $3,000. This allows us to pay an intern for their work, buy supplies their project requires, and provide staff to oversee and work with the student.
• Students gain invaluable professional experience
• Conservancy gains extra help on projects
You can support this educational initative: we are working to support 3-6 interns annually.
Contact the office at 585-243-2190.