Joshua Tree encompasses two deserts: the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert. The Mojave Desert is, of course, characterized by its endemic Joshua Trees and desert bushes, such as Creosotebush. Distinctive wildlife include the Chuckwalla (large! lizard!) and the Mojave Rattlesnake. Topping the list with...
Hello again! The area today known as Concord was once owned by the Pennacook Native Americans who named the area Musketaquid—Algonquin for “grassy plain.” The highly productive soils are due, in no small part, to the confluence of the Assabet and Sudbury rivers, forming the...
My first official week here at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is coming to an end, and I can't tell you how excited I am for these next couple weeks ahead. After this extensive and productive week of introductions, a walk-through, and training, I have...
Hello reader and welcome to my Blog! My name is Mónica and I was hired by the Latino Heritage Internship Program to work as a Historic American Building Survey Architect for the summer. During the next couple of weeks I will be keeping...
Hello! I am going to be working as a Resource Management Assistant at Minute Man National Historic Park in Concord, Massachusetts this summer. Located sixteen miles west of Boston, Minute Man National Historic Park spans three towns- Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington- and covers 1,038 acres....
I am an Interpretation and Outreach Assistant at Point Reyes National Seashore. It is important to include the Interpretive Mission Statement at Point Reyes National Park: “To educate and inspire people to appreciate the importance of our natural and cultural history, to foster responsible land...
My worksite may have the word "seashore" in its title, however Point Reyes National Seashore encompasses so much more: a wide variety of ecosystems molded by ongoing abiotic factors, such as the weather and geology. Regardless, it’s appropriate to begin by talking about the seashore....
Hello all, it’s my third week into my internship and my brain is packed with information on Salem. Starting in July, the project I am assigned to, Preschoolers in the Park will begin. This is a bilingual (Spanish-English) program offered to the communities of Salem...
One week into my internship at Salem and it’s wicked cool! Yes, I did catch onto the Mass lingo. No, I have not been using it correctly. On my first day, I arrived at the Hawkes House, a historic building which is now used as...
On May 11, I packed my car and drove for seven hours to the deserts of Arizona. I had seen pictures of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area before but nothing would have prepared me for the immense beauty that would welcome me as I drove...
Growing up in southern California I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by public lands. Whether it was National Forests, National Parks, or State Parks the outdoors were never too far. This was heaven for me, as a child I was fascinated by the natural...
Hey everyone, I’m supper excited to say that I will be a Cave Technician intern this summer with the National Park Service at El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments! Raised in Southern New Jersey most of my days were spent working on my uncle’s...
Hi all! I’m at the start of my third week here! The snow in Lodgepole has mostly melted, and while the snow was nice to see, I’m hoping it doesn’t come back. However, we are at high elevation, so my hopes may not be realistic....
Hi Everyone! My name is Citlali Villarreal, and I am an intern for the 2019 cohort of the Latino Heritage Internship Program. I am from Galveston, Texas, studying as an undergrad at Rice University in Houston, Texas. I will be working for the National Park...
My project for this summer is to present educational talks to youth, ages 13-19, from the In My Backyard Program. Each week, I will be presenting a different 10 minute talk relating to climate change. In addition, the students will have a new theme each...
During this summer I am going to be working on a project at the Homestead National Monument of America as an intern for the Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) in collaboration with Environment for the Americas (EFTA). After spending a weekend camping at the Californian...
My first week at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park has been great! On my first day, I got to walk around the park and get familiarize myself with the area. In addition, I had the opportunity to work on a flyer promoting a Spanish...
Hi Everyone, my name is Jhulian Gutierrez! This summer, I will be participating in the 2019 Latino Heritage Program as a Visitor Services Intern at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. I was born in Miami, FL and was raised in both Florida and Texas. although...
As a young WOC, a fancy office job was only but a far fetched dream to me. Since I was 16, I have been working in fast-paced, minimum wage jobs to support myself and my family. To me, these jobs did not seem temporary, simply...
My name is Natalie Matias and I was born and raised in Hialeah, FL. As a young girl, my dad and I drove around natural and historic parks across South Florida whenever possible - weekends, holidays, birthdays, special events, etc. This activity, paired with my...