5 Questions With Our 2024 Summer Interns
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is thrilled to have three interns working with us this summer: Madeleine Adams, Britta Gaetjens and Heather Armstrong. Each one brings their own unique skills and background to their respective roles, and we are excited for what they will accomplish this summer.
Madeleine “Maddy” Adams is excited to be exploring the Adirondacks during her internship with ACLC this summer.
Madeleine “Maddy” Adams
Maddy is a 2022 graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and anthropology. Her internship is funded through a grant with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Bouchard Barge 120 Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Trustees and in partnership with SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center. Maddy’s roles with ACLC this summer include conducting field research, participating in educational outreach events, and working on the Lead Tackle Buy Back Program.
Why did you decide to major in environmental science?
I have been interested in science and conservation my whole life, since my father works as a conservation biologist and science writer. My passion really exploded when I went on a citizen science expedition in the Grand Canyon down the Colorado river when I was 16. I was able to see real scientists collecting research and data that would be used to help in actual conservation efforts, and that opened my eyes to the possibilities in environmental science.
Maddy Adams paddling on one of the research lakes she monitors during her internship. Photo submitted by Maddy Adams.
Did you know anything about loons before starting this internship?
I had never seen a loon in person before. I knew that they were water birds, and I had heard that famous call, but other than that I knew nothing. The coolest thing I have learned about loons so far is that they are very attentive parents and only raise one or two chicks at a time. I thought they would be more similar to ducks and geese and have many chicks.
What do you think of the Adirondacks so far?
This area is beautiful and possibly the best place I have ever had the privilege of spending a summer. I love how seamlessly the rugged mountains of the Adirondacks blend with human settlements. I have enjoyed visiting different towns and going to some of the museums. I am not a great hiker, but I’m making it a goal to hike at least one of the high peaks this summer.
What do you hope to gain from your internship with ACLC?
I am hoping that this internship will help me solidify what I want to do, and therefore make a decision about grad school. My goal for the future is to get my masters degree in a conservation or wildlife-related field. This internship will help me see the kinds of work I could do with a higher education degree. My pipe dream 20 years from now is to have a PhD in something related to environmental science, to be a professor at a liberal arts school somewhere, and possibly coach the swim team as well.
What’s a cool fact about you?
For the past 10 years, I have been working as a swim instructor. My two passions are the environment and working with my swimmers. This is actually the first summer since 2008 that I have not spent every day at the pool! I was also a four year varsity rower throughout college.
Britta Gaetjens is looking for a career that balances her love of people and her love of wildlife.
Britta Gaetjens
Britta is a rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she is studying wildlife and fisheries science. Her internship is funded through a grant with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Bouchard Barge 120 Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Trustees and in partnership with SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center. Britta’s roles with ACLC this summer include conducting field research, participating in educational outreach events, and working on the Lead Tackle Buy Back Program.
What made you interested in interning with ACLC?
From the moment I saw the internship listing on the Texas A&M Natural Resources Job Board, I knew I would be applying to this position.Not only did it have all the things I was looking for, it also included both interpersonal work and field work. After graduation, I hope to find a job that balances my love of people and my love of wildlife so this position worked perfectly to prepare me for that.
What is the coolest thing you have learned about loons?
I knew almost nothing about loons before I started. I had seen a loon in the west when I was in middle school, but I really had no previous experience with them. The thing that I find most interesting about loons is how long they can live. I can’t imagine myself at 30 years old, so it’s wild to think of a bird that is 30.
What do you think of the Adirondacks so far?
Britta Gaetjens has been using her days off to climb the High Peaks. Photo submitted by Britta Gaetjens.
I really love this area! I’ve grown up around mountains so the twisty mountain roads feel like home. I hiked my first high peak and am already planning a trip to hike three more. I typically go hiking on Tuesdays with another intern friend. So far we have hiked Big Slide, Buck Mountain Fire Tower, Goodnow Mountain, and Wolf Pond. I have also discovered the joy of Stewart’s ice cream.
What are the best and most challenging parts of the internship so far?
The best part of the internship is definitely the field work. I know it’s technically part of the job, but after kayaking around lakes I feel like I’ve spent a day on vacation. Sometimes I find it challenging to do data entry, but other times I welcome the time to rest. I enjoy the creative work of making educational materials and activities. I also love talking to people, so this is honestly my dream job.
What do you hope to gain from this internship when it’s over?
I hope to gain confidence and experience with field work while learning more about recording and entering data. I’m also excited about the opportunity to experience living outside of my home state. I have quite a few ideas about dream jobs right now! I have looked into being an interpretive ranger in the Tennessee park system. I am also interested in working with non-game animals in biodiversity conservation. This internship was particularly appealing to me because it gives me experience working with animals and with people which is a balance I hope to find in my future career.
Heather Armstrong is passionate about both the arts and the sciences: she loves to draw, paint, write poetry and practice guitar outside of work.
Heather Armstrong
Heather is a junior at SUNY-ESF majoring in environmental biology. She is ACLC’s Education & Outreach intern this year, funded by the Adirondack 46ers. She will be creating and delivering educational presentations to summer camps throughout the Adirondack Park, as well as conducting outreach at the Adirondack Loon Center and participating in field research each week.
What made you interested in interning with ACLC?
I grew up wandering the woods behind my house, looking for frogs in the swamp and turning over rocks to find insects, salamanders, and snakes. There, I developed a curiosity and appreciation for the natural world, as well as a strong desire to protect it and keep it safe, and eventually decided to go into environmental biology as a career. I’ve always loved loons, so I was very excited to find out about the ACLC, and even more excited to work for them.
What do you think about the area so far?
I’m thrilled to be spending my summer in such a gorgeous place with so much natural beauty right at my fingertips. I’ve really enjoyed exploring different nature trails and lakes in the area, while also seeing all the different shops and activities the town has to offer, and I love seeing all the different kinds of wildlife you aren’t really able to see in the city or where I grew up in Virginia.
What did you know about loons before you started your internship?
Heather Armstrong talking to kids about loon behavior. Photo by Denise Silfee.
Most of my previous knowledge and experience with loons comes from spending my childhood summers at my family cottage on Georgian Bay in Ontario. Much like in the Adirondacks, loons are a staple of the culture there, and we’d regularly see them in the bay where our cottage sat and hear them calling at night. Although I knew a fair amount of basic facts, I was surprised that loons couldn’t walk on land at all or that loons don’t actually mate for life, and I had no idea they could be so ruthless in defending their territory and their chicks.
What do you hope to gain from this internship?
I hope to gain more experience in educating different age groups about the natural world, as well as knowledge on how to communicate challenging scientific concepts to people without a background in the sciences. I also hope to improve on designing fun and educational activities for different age and experience groups to help people learn about nature.
What are you plans for the future?
My plans for the future are pretty vague at the moment, but I hope to someday have a career that allows me to use my passions for both the arts and sciences in creative ways to educate people about the natural world and how we can protect it.
Denise Silfee, ACLC Education & Communications Director