Hello friends,

I only have around two weeks left of this summer internship. Next week I’ll be leaving for Washington DC to present as a DHA intern, I’ll come back here to Homestead for my final week, and then I’m off to go back home to Puerto Rico. Although the thought of going back home is comforting, I really don’t want to leave.

My time here in Biscayne National Park has been an amazing experience and I feel I have created good connections with the Natural Resource Management team, which makes it sad to have to go. This internship experience in Biscayne National Park has definitely placed me out of my comfort zone when it comes to field work, and has made me discover abilities I wasn’t aware of. Before coming here I didn’t feel too comfortable out in open water, but ever since I started working out on boats all day I feel I’ve become a mermaid! The work in Biscayne National Park has increased my interest in the marine biology field and has made me appreciate even more our precious natural resources. I had the opportunity to visit our neighboring Everglades National Park as well which was a fulfilling and fun experience. 

I have acquired different field work skills during my time on boats. I have experienced what it is to snorkel and free dive in 15 to 20 feet of water. I have learned how to identify turtle tracks, identify false crawls and nests in beaches. I have learned how the natural resource management team may have to do some “dirty work” when it comes to intense days in the sun installing or removing buoys. Most importantly, my internship experience has been extremely rewarding as I have cultivated friendships and grown not only professionally but personally too.  

I’ll share some fun pictures that captivate my journey this summer.