Interns Learn the Power of Conservation
Each summer, interns join The Nature Conservancy at our preserves across Colorado.
The sound of birdsong at dawn on The Nature Conservancy’s Fox Ranch Preserve sets the day’s tone for Rayn Smith. Her fellow intern, Kara Morrow, draws inspiration from the vibrant pulse of the wild prairie.
Stationed at Fox Ranch Preserve—a biodiversity gem in northeastern Colorado—the interns are immersed in a landscape shaped by the Arickaree River, cottonwood forests and expansive prairie ecosystems. These habitats support rare aquatic species like the orange-throated darter and plains leopard frog, along with a rich array of native plants and other wildlife. The ranch is especially vital as a convergence point for eastern and western migratory birds. Managed by TNC for both conservation and education, the site emphasizes ecological stewardship, sustainable ranching and community engagement.
Rayn and Kara—who hail from the University of Redlands in San Bernardino, California—are spending their summer gaining firsthand experience in conservation. Their work at TNC preserves offers immersive opportunities to build personal connections with the land, wildlife and ecosystems.
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Kara, who grew up in Colorado, developed a fascination with nature early on. Through their studies in environmental biology and science communication, they explored the mechanisms of the natural world and discovered a passion for conservation during a capstone project on the Colorado River.
For Kara, Fox Ranch became a meditative space. They found hope in every native grass taking root, every drop of fresh groundwater and every acre of blossoming land. The internship revealed how even small, protected parcels of resilient land contribute meaningfully to global biodiversity.
Quote: Kara Morrow
Experiencing this in real time and seeing how our work positively impacts the environment has helped reinforce a lot of my learning.
Rayn, 19, born and raised in Banning, California, was drawn to the internship for the chance to experience environmentalism in a quieter, more expansive setting. Fourteen-thousand-acre preserves like Fox Ranch are rare in the densely populated corridor between Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
Instead of smog and city noise, Rayn is breathing in vast landscapes and clear skies, captivated by deer, prairie chickens and other wildlife. As a double major in Environmental Studies and Creative Writing, she’s used this summer to deepen her connection to conservation through storytelling and reflection.
Quote: Rayn Smith
I fell in love with Colorado. Preserving land and protecting wildlife is personal for me.
Tyler Smith, TNC in Colorado’s Conservation Steward and manager of Fox Ranch Preserve, hosts university interns every summer. “These opportunities allow individuals to explore different facets of the field work, gain insights into areas that align best with their interests and passions, and support making informed decisions about future education and employment,” Smith added.
While Fox Ranch was their home base, the interns also contributed to work at other TNC preserves across Colorado, including Phantom Canyon, Zapata Ranch, Aiken Canyon, Carpenter Ranch and High Creek Fen.
This summer, Fox Ranch will host the Weld County Youth Conservation Corps and, through a partnership with Prairie Sea Projects, a writer, a graphic artist and a youth film workshop. These creative partnerships aim to deepen public understanding of the prairie’s ecological and cultural significance.
