Surviving frescoes adorning the interior rooms of Mission Concepción. First image is a sun motif on the vaulted roof of the convento of the mission. Second image is a motif of the crucified Christ decorating the baptismal room. These motifs are synchronizations of Spanish...

My friend asked me the other day what my favorite part of my internship had been. I, of course, said the sea turtles and the hatchlings. But I was wrong. The people I have met during my time at Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) have been...

I love my internship so far. I love living at the park, working here and even spending some free time here. It’s beautiful and it honestly even feels like an escape from reality. But there is something that is missing… diversity.Having been in the environmental realm...

Martha (left), Kristy (center), and Cynthia (right) at a Kemp's ridley hatchling public release.One of the reasons I took the internship at Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) was because of Cynthia Rubio, a Mexican-American biologist. Cynthia has worked at PAIS for almost twenty-six years...

Hi Everyone! I hope you have all been doing well and staying safe! With this week's blog post, I wanted to give you all a look into my daily routine with the Flagstaff Area National Monuments. (Also, before we start I wanted to give you all a heads...

Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) and Mosaics in Science interns at Big Sur (I am second from the left). A major reason why I wanted to participate in LHIP was to meet people like myself who form the current and the next generation of environmental stewards...

Hello again! RTCA Texas staff visiting San Antonio Missions     A large part of doing community-based outreach this summer has been talking to and interviewing people. Since I am building a Latino outreach strategy plan for the RTCA Texas office, I have been tasked with reaching out...

I can’t believe it’s been a week since the Environment for the Americans (EFTA) intern trip! I had so much fun meeting other EFTA interns, as well as getting to know my fellow Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) interns. Since my position has been remote...

     How did the time go by so fast? Two months ago, I arrived in the city of Frederick, in Maryland, alone and full of doubt. Today, I feel none of those things. As my journey has passed, my mind has been exploring new...

Located in the heart of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is responsible for interpreting a wide variety of history, most notably the story of the English Lost Colony of Roanoke. However, this is not where the history of the site ends,...

As my start date approached, I could feel the excitement and nervousness growing within me. I drove down to my sight at Grand Canyon National Park on Sunday July 10th, because my start date was Monday July 11th at 6:30am. I don't know about most...

Hello everyone! LHIP has enjoyed my social media posts highlighting my park and has asked me to take over their social media accounts. This video is my takeover! Click on the video below to watch my social media takeover! https://youtu.be/J1bWntGRzEU Don’t forget to leave a comment or give...

It wasn’t so long ago that I was just preparing to graduate high school. I remember the frenzied rush the day before my graduation ceremony, with my white graduation cap and gown laid out on the foot of my bed. My preparations involved tying ropes,...

Hi everyone! It has been a productive last couple of weeks here at Homestead. I have been finishing up many of my projects and laying the groundwork for the work to continue once I leave my internship. Today, I would like to share with you...

Over the past few weeks, I have been continuing my work on two of my mapping projects for my internship. The first, which I’ve written about in previous blogs, has been my cartographical work in the San Gabriel Valley.  Centered around Campsite 61, doing this research...

Wearing a life jacket vest on a workboat. The last couple of weeks at Fire Island National Seashore have been my first experience as an intern; not only that, but they have been a good couple of weeks in which I have experienced what working...

From developing an online curriculum to giving talks and tours for visitors, the educational work that occurs at national parks is expansive. One of my favorite aspects of park education here at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is outreach with the local school and...

Finishing this internship, I cannot help but have mix feelings. I am sad that I have to leave this awesome team and the park, but I am so happy and grateful for the opportunity that I was given. I truly enjoyed chatting and educating the...

The southern end of Padre Island National Seashore at Port Mansfield Channel. Photo by me!Padre Island National Seashore's (PAIS) unique sea turtle program has a long and convoluted history. It is filled with riddles, mysterious, and dedicated individuals. Part of its history also includes...

Some primary and secondary sources for my project. Courtesy of the San Antonio National Historical Site and its coworkers.     Three hundred years is a long time. The oldest mission administered by the National Park Service was founded in 1720 - San José y San...