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 in a national park is about. Choosing a favorite part about this summer experience is hard and unfair since this park has offered me amazing experiences and incredible places.

 Boating at the Great South Bay.

For instance, even though I have not been part of the operations of the lighthouse, I have visited it more than once, and every time I visit it, I’m amazed by the beauty of it. I have enjoyed going to Sailors Haven and a unique maritime forest like the Sunken Forest, the salt marshes at Watch Hill, and walking to breach to experience geological dynamism in the wilderness. I have also experienced working with maintenance and learning about the daily operations of the park and how they keep the park running.

Canoeing with Ranger Savannah.

Furthermore, I have been part of the resource management in their effort to protect the migratory and endangered piping plover. Therefore, I think it’s unfair to choose a favorite thing about my experience as an intern this summer. Yet, if I have to choose something, I’d say that my favorite part of the internship has been the freedom my supervisor has given me; that freedom has allowed me to co-lead programs such as seining, surf casting clinic, junior ranger programs, canoeing, tours, and many others. Also, that freedom has allowed me to enclose, disclose, and monitor piping plovers along the park, helping with the preservation of this endangered species that inhabits Fire Island. The Latino Heritage Internship Program at Fire Island National Seashore has been my first internship experience, and I have really enjoyed every day out of it!