Drake Interns Reflect on TNC Experience in Missouri

What’s been your favorite moment of your internship?

Addison: It's hard to choose a single favorite moment. I’ve really enjoyed the connections and social aspects of the internship, as well as the fieldwork. This is my first internship as I enter my junior year at Drake University, so getting a feel for fieldwork and what a career in conservation looks like has been incredibly rewarding.

It’s been exciting to do something different each day. From spraying invasive species like Sericea to building a glaciated upland prairie field guide, every day has involved learning skills that will guide my future career. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity. Having an internship on a glaciated prairie has been one of the coolest experiences I’ve had, and it’s been rewarding to contribute to the conservation of an ecosystem I’ve grown up around.

Taylor: One of my favorite parts has been getting to practice so many different skills out on the prairie—like plant ID, fire field days, spraying invasives, and even UTV and trailer backing. It was enlightening to see how it all connects to the bigger picture of restoring and managing these ecosystems.

It’s been really rewarding to step back and realize how each of these tasks plays a role in supporting the health of the prairie.

What’s been your biggest takeaway from the internship so far?

Addison:  This internship has solidified my love for conservation, and I know I have chosen the right path. The largest takeaway from this internship has been that, regardless of where you end up, you are still making steps towards conservation in the hope of a better tomorrow. The Ozarks fire stewardship meeting was a time that allowed Taylor and I to see another side of this field, not just through field work. This meeting was very inspiring and refreshing to see and hear about the people connected to conservation efforts, as well as entering a different ecoregion of Missouri. Through listening to conversations of those who have worked in this field, I have learned a lot about TNC and what it realistically looks like to be in this field.

Taylor:  My biggest takeaway has been how important it is to stay adaptable in conservation work, because every day brings something different. Whether it’s plant ID, spraying invasives or even trailer backing. At the same time, spending so much time on the prairie and seeing how all these pieces fit together has given me a deeper appreciation for the land and the work it takes to restore and manage it.

How has the internship experience helped shape your career goals?

Addison: I have learned a ton of skills that will be applicable towards my career goals. A large part of this internship that I am grateful for is the hands-on aspect of it. We have labs in college, but a three-hour time period doesn't allow for the work that we are doing now. This internship has allowed me to gain hands-on experience and skills, network and build connections, better understand the decision-making process and truly connect with the field of conservation.

Taylor: This internship has made me more confident that I want to work in land management and restoration in some way. Being able to get hands-on with everything—from invasive species work to attending a fire stewardship meeting—helped me see how much I enjoy fieldwork and how important it is to keep building technical skills. It has made me excited to keep heading in that direction.