In late September, I had the amazing opportunity of joining biological technicians at the Lodi Fish & Wildlife Office for a fun day of fish monitoring. I participated in the Enhanced Delta Smelt Monitoring (EDSM) Program, a high effort- year-round program, whose objectives are: (1) estimate the total abundance of Delta smelt on a weekly basis, (2) estimate their spatial distribution at a management-relevant spatial and temporal resolution, and (3) provide data that support management decisions and address scientific questions to further understanding of sampling efficiency, drivers of Delta smelt population patterns, and other conservation and management-relevant topics. 

I arrived at 6am, met all the staff members, and began gathering the gear and learning about the equipment used to measure salinity, turbidity, and other data. We drove an hour to a sampling site on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River and off I went on my first ride on a trawl ever. Unfortunately, the air quality was too unhealthy for us to sample, but I enjoyed the chilly wind hitting my face and feeling the speed of the boat on the ride. 

I couldn’t imagine more of a unique field day as an intern, but I was presented with the opportunity to participate in the bi-annual elk surveys at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge and that’s just as special. Two other interns and I joined refuge staff members, biologists, and other volunteers on the mission. We split up into different all-terrain vehicles, entered the enclosed lot from different areas, and herded the population to the northern region where we counted the elk and noted observations. San Luis NWR can hold 40-50 elk at once, and we saw elk ranging from a few months old to fully developed males with large antlers. I enjoyed working with everyone to determine where the elk were moving and how we could best herd them. It was a huge team effort, but so rewarding when all of our efforts payed off. 

Outside of field work, my supervisor assigned me my first section 7 informal consultation, an amazing professional opportunity that is preparing me for future positions with the Service. I analyzed a residential development project with an effects determination of not likely to adversely affect the federally threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp, federally endangered tadpole shrimp, and the federally threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle. I felt confident in writing a Letter of Concurrence, a document for the action agency of the Service’s agreement with its determination, but after receiving 20+ edits on my first draft I felt like I failed. My supervisor reminded me that it was common for documents to be revised and then re-revised, and after getting a second input from a senior biologist, I felt more capable of writing a logical, clear paper. I submitted the Letter this week, and feel satisfied with my effort and finished product. 

I feel incredibly lucky for the variety of professional experiences I have accumulated and appreciate the way they have reinforced my passion for conservation. My internship has also further reinforced my passion for advancing more professional opportunities like these for other first-generation, Hispanic individuals, particularly women and LGBTQ+ members.

The last two months have brought a myriad of new experiences, from visiting my first wildlife refuge (I’ve now visited 4!) to celebrating Latino Conservation Week.  

I visited Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, met the refuge manager and staff, and learned about Partners for Fish and Wildlife from the Partners’ state coordinator. Sacramento Field Office interns and I observed an overly invasive primrose plant that overtook the ditches of water used to fill wetlands and learned about vegetation management processes (use of herbicides and disking). A highlight was going to the California Delta Hunting Club and understanding the land manager’s role.

The second refuge I visited was a flight away for #LatinoConsevationWeek2023 at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. I met other Hispanic Access Foundation interns and the MANO program associate, Yashira M. Valentin Feliciano. The night before the event, I went to my first baseball game in Minneapolis for the Twins vs. White Sox, the Twins won! Yashira and I met early the day of the event to set up our table with flyers, MANO swag including #LatinoConsevationWeek2023 stickers and tote bags, plus a temporary tattoo station. The temporary tattoo station was a hit: everyone, from children to moms to artists, was interested in representing the beautiful LCW 2023 emblem. We all enjoyed live music, performances from traditional Aztec dancers, and empanadas from a local food truck. The trip was an experience I’ll never forget, especially with how meaningful  it was to celebrate ten years of the event with my Latinx community and my first time in the Midwest. 

 August has flown by, literally with all the butterfly surveys I’ve participated in. The first week, I attended a week-long, Section 7 training which was an amazing professional development opportunity to understand the Service’s role in implementing the Endangered Species Act.  Last week, I participated in two field visits to Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge with biologists from the Bay Delta Field Office and staff from the refuge for Lange's Metalmark Butterfly surveys. We observed and identified other butterfly species including the California Sisters, Mournful Dustywings, and Skippers. Unfortunately, we have not seen the Lange’s yet, but the surveys will continue until the first week of September and we are all very optimistic we will spot one. I feel like a mini butterfly expert, sharing my knowledge of butterflies with my friends and family, which has been special.

I’ve lived out some of my wildest dreams, participating in side quests that I could have only dreamed of as a young kid, and which have elevated my internship experience. Out on the dunes last week, in the sweltering heat well over 90 degrees, I felt an internal surge of peace as I realized I hadn’t spent as much time outdoors like this since I was a kid playing in the park with my primos and primas every weekend. When was the last time I enjoyed the outdoors, not thinking about watching a show after work or what I’d cook for dinner, but letting myself feel the sun and get lost staring at a butterfly? It’s been very healing for my inner child and after months of staying indoors for the pandemic and working in retail, the last few weeks have been a breath of fresh air. It's been a sign of true alignment with my purpose in conservation as well as a reminder for me to never be afraid to be an intern, start over, and rediscover myself, my passions, and mi comunidad. 

Alondra Ureña, a queer, first-generation college graduate from UCLA with a Degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences, is passionate about climate justice and academic equity. She served for two years as an AmeriCorps member to close the education gap for BIPOC students, through instruction and mentorship. Motivated to mitigate the consequences of climate change, preserve our planet, and enhance economic and academic opportunities for low-income populations, Alondra aspires to pursue a career in public policy to advance clean energy initiatives. She enjoys picnics at the beach, reading, and working out in her free time.

On my first day at the Sacramento USFWS Office, I received a welcome letter that said “and so the journey begins” on the cover. I had a full circle moment because that was my senior yearbook quote in high school: