Hey friends! First of all, I want to say how amazing it was have met you all in Colorado! It was definitely a trip to remember. I am sure we can all agree that many genuine connections were made. Every room was full of...
As part of my internship I have to present to my park staff. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous! The truth is, public speaking is one of my biggest fears. As a graduate student, I have had to do a lot...
This past week has been very meaningful and memorable. A lot of movement occurred at work, I have been receiving a good amount of feedback on my work, and I am beginning to wrap up my deliverables and start on the finishing touches. As in,...
Hi everyone, these past couple of weeks have kept me quite busy as I have been working on a variety of assignments. In the process of filling in data needs for the project I am working on, I have had to interview/work with staff members...
This week I trekked back to Mt. Wanda. The 580 feet (fairly small) mountain was first beloved by the Ohlone tribes, then utilized by the Spaniards and ranchers, and eventually protected and appreciated by John Muir and his family. Today, it belongs to all of...
Time is flying by. I am really enjoying my time here, and I am definitely gaining better insight on what type of career path I would like to follow within the National Park Service. The management here in the East Bay oversees four parks. Despite...
This week was filled with variety of tasks. My position consists mainly of office work and research. However, I also have the opportunity to skip around and visit a variety of national parks that my team oversees in the East Bay area. This week I...
Hi all! My project is really taking off now. This week consisted of meeting after meeting regarding this incredible planning effort that I am so fortunate to be part of! We had an all-staff meeting where I got to meet everyone who works in...
Today marks the end of my first week! This week was all about getting to know the staff and the park and unpacking my internship project. For John Muir National Historic Site I will be developing a site comprehensive plan which will be a guiding document...
Hello everyone! I have finally arrived to the East Bay Area of California, and have just begun my position at John Muir National Historic Site. I feel thrilled and grateful to have been given another opportunity to intern for the Latino Heritage Internship Program. I...
This summer has been the best summer I have ever had. Not only did I get to live in a beautiful, wild place but I have also learned a ton about nature and animals. When I first came to Point Reyes National Seashore I...
This past week has been a roller coaster ride! Tuesday morning I left for Denver, Colorado at 6am. Despite my red eye flight and lack of sleep, I felt wide-awake and excited to meet all of the L-HIPsters! My favorite part of the trip...
I can’t believe I only have three more weeks until my internship is over! I am really trying to take advantage of these last few weeks as much as I can. It has been such a great experience so far and only gets better every...
Is the NPS obscure to minority communities? Many minorities grow up not being exposed to park space, and, thus, they grow up without the incline to visit national parks. It is a sad truth to know that people with the same background as me will...
Busy days in the office consist of: rummaging through Point Reyes National Seashore’s computer drives to find the best images for the ranger book, continuing to edit the activities I am working on for the junior ranger book, and starting to translate the completed activities...
Time is flying by and I am really feeling the business here in Point Reyes. This week I have had quite a lot to do in the office! The new junior ranger book is really taking shape, but we are nowhere near being finished! So far we...
This week my assignment here at Point Reyes is really beginning to unfold and get off to a good start. I am part of a team that is completely redesigning the Junior Ranger program at Point Reyes. National Parks have a Junior Ranger Program that helps...
Greeting from Point Reyes National Seashore! My first week of work is officially over and it went by like a breeze. Every day was vastly different and if I were to sit here and write about everything I did, it would take many pages...
Hello! This was my first weekend at Point Reyes National Seashore and I can honestly say that I am blown away by the park and so excited to start work tomorrow! The first thing I did when I got to Point Reyes was meet my...
Hi there! My name is Ilianna Padilla. I am 22 years old and just recently graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a B.A. in Geography. I am passionate about anything that has to do with people, places, and the environment! I have lived in...