As my internship comes to a close, I have come to reflect on my experiences at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, and I am both forever grateful and in awe to have the firsthand experience on some of the hardships and highlights on what it takes to run a refuge. In my short time here, I have worked with refuge staff who all have come from a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise, and I highly believe that is key on what makes the management of the Stillwater refuge successful. The management style of the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge has confirmed my belief that both a diverse set of voices, expertise, and community engagement is key in problem solving in wildlife management and conservation. 

For example, some of the staff on board have a background in business, realty, bat biology, wildlife law enforcement, science secondary education, and mechanical trades and all these areas of expertise come together for the successful management of almost 80,000 acres of wetland ecosystem in the Great Basin Desert. The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge also works with nonprofits like the National Audubon Society, state agencies, and volunteers in order to be successful in the management and conservation efforts for these public lands.  By having a diverse set of professions working in the conservation and wildlife management arena, along with community engagement it allows for the continued effort of public land protection and conservation to grow. 

As I enter my final week into this internship experience, it has made me acknowledge the need of a consistent push for diversity and community engagement in the conservation field. My time at the Stillwater Refuge also showcases the need of having a diverse set of professions in order to be successful in wildlife management and conservation. Conservation deals with a variety of extremely biodiverse and complex ecosystems, so it is not a surprise that a variety of expertise and backgrounds is beneficial for the management of refuges. 

I am forever grateful for my field experience here at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, and I have to deeply thank the staff for their guidance and expertise throughout my internship and this experience confirmed that I am happy with the career and pathway that I have chosen.  

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1949, and it is home to a complex series of ecosystems like freshwater marshes, desert shrublands, brackish water marshes, and alkali playas. The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge provides diverse habitat to residential waterfowl and migratory birds that feed and rest in the beautiful wetlands that are surrounded by an arid desert climate. The refuge is almost 80,000 acres, that provides the public with not only gorgeous views, but also the opportunity for environmental education, recreational hunting and scientific research. 

            My role on the refuge falls under scientific research where I am aiding in investigating mercury contamination on the resident waterfowl within the wetland habitats. The refuge falls within the footprint of the Caron River Mercury Superfund Site, where legacy mercury contaminations from mining upstream in the 18^th century polluted the river system and caused the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up areas of the river that were contaminated. The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is irrigated from the Carson River system through a series of canals and delivery ditches, and the refuge has federal authority to purchase water rights from willing area landowners. The ability to buy water rights is critical in maintaining this arid desert wetland ecosystem.   

In my short time that I have been on the refuge I have been in awe and shock of the diversity of life in an arid desert landscape. Both the artificial and natural movement of water drives life and biodiversity within this ecosystem. Historical contamination threatens present day, and this refuge showcases how political, and environmental factors come together in order to maintain and conserve this wonderful and essential habitat. 

I am thankful to be here in person, and have the knowledge of the staff, and historical data to aid in this investigation. The Stillwater Refuge is a unique ecosystem hidden away in the desert, truly an oasis for not only the birds but for the general public as well. 

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Born and raised in the southwestern heat, I know quite a bit of what the desert ecosystem should look like, or at least I thought I did until I started here at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. Here at Stillwater, I was wonderfully surprised to be surrounded by a gorgeous display of a diverse set of wetland ecosystems in a desert setting.  The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is a globally important bird area in Northern Nevada just outside the city of Fallon that provides both a haven and oasis to both migratory and residential birds throughout the year.

This past month through the Directorate Fellows Program (DFP) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) I have had the privilege of working with a bright team of staff on the refuge to study possible mercury contamination on the waterfowl on the refuge. Just about a month into this internship experience I already feel as though I have learned so much about both the complexities and ecosystem of the Stillwater Refuge and the welcoming community here in Fallon.

Every day, no matter if I am researching scholarly articles in the office, protocol writing field guide procedures, or out on the refuge, I am learning skills that are helping me both in my professional and life experiences. I am always extremely excited to start work in the morning because I know that I am always learning something new every day at Stillwater. I am looking forward to the rest of my internship experience and I am extremely grateful for the staff on the refuge that are giving me guidance and their insight throughout this process.

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Vanessa Maldonado Olivas is a student at Northern Arizona University, Vanessa Maldonado double majoring in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Administration and Policy and Spanish. Previously, Vanessa did undergraduate research where she studied the complexities of water as an economic good under a neoliberal market. Also, Vanessa previously interned at The Wilderness Society where she helped with the 30x30 campaign in Arizona, that focused on promoting public land and water protection by 2030. Vanessa plans to graduate from Northern Arizona University with the Honors College May 2022.