As I imagine is the case for most of us DFP interns, it is so hard for me to believe that the summer and the program is nearly over. The past several weeks have been extremely educational, heartwarming, and eye-opening. Of course I learned a great deal about USFWS (and learned even more about what I have yet to learn!), but also I was pleasantly surprised throughout the whole summer at the genuine kindness and good nature of all the FWS employees I interacted with.

My role this summer was with the Branch of Downlisting and Foreign Species. As mentioned in past blog posts, many people (including myself before reading the internship descriptions) do not know that the US Fish and Wildlife Service evaluates and lists endangered and threatened species that occur outside of the US. This branch and its work fit nicely into my academic and research backgrounds, however, despite working with foreign species in foreign lands for my academic career, the way in which USFWS operates was brand new to me.

As articulated well by some colleagues in the branch this summer, employees work at the interface between biology and politics/policy. I learned a great deal from fellow branch members about how many nuances and political ideas must be taken into consideration when attempting to apply what, on the surface, may appear to be basic conservation principles. Of course, as a government entity, it is logical that USFWS must take politics into consideration, however the way in which politics and biology must be reconciled each step of the way (in listing, uplisting, downlisting, or delisting a species) takes tact, knowledge, and a willingness to adjust. These are concepts that I rarely, if ever, came across in my academic trajectory, and I am grateful to have been able to learn about these issues and how to make progress from smart, dedicated USFWS biologists.

The opportunity to serve as a DFP this summer has provided me with many skills and a great deal of knowledge that I look forward to drawing on in the future. I feel more equipped to make real conservation action, to work with extremely diverse teams, and to translate science into key concepts/ideas that can be more easily incorporated into policy.

I am grateful to the MANO program and to the BDFS in USFWS for affording me this opportunity. I am thrilled that the work that I did with my co-intern this summer will move work plans within the branch forward, which directly impacts species conservation in the future. This program opened my eyes to so many practical concepts in conservation and allowed me to meet smart, kind, caring people in the USFWS who clearly care deeply for one another, the American people, and the conservation and preservation of biodiversity and natural systems.

Agency: U.S Forest Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Fish and Wildlife Headquarters, Washington Office

One month into the DFP program, and I now have a much fuller, more expansive understanding of the US Fish and Wildlife Service – it’s truly amazing how much the Service does! I am working this summer with the branch of desilting and foreign species. While I am not physically near any of my colleagues, over the course of the month I have learned from them about the biology of some threatened species and the process of navigating the federal government.

Before starting my internship, I did not realize how strategic and policy-minded FWS biologists would have to be. In June I had the opportunity to attend a writing course with Bridget Fahey, the division chief for conservation and classification – the group through which endangered species are listed, up/down-listed, and delisted. Coming from a purely academic background, it was interesting and encouraging to learn about writing styles for the government. Some of the components of writing style that my schooling had ingrained in me for decades turned out to be frowned upon by government standards!

Over the course of completing my summer assignment and learning from others in the branch, I am honing not only my writing, but my ability to see conservation issues through several lenses. Necessarily the government, in assessing and acting on conservation matters, must understand and communicate the broad gray areas. This way of evaluating and writing about endangered species, critical habitat, and other conservation actions helps to understand the role and importance of a diversity of stakeholders. I am excited to learn more from my colleagues this summer about effectively communicating broadly (not just to government; not just to academics) about conservation science and action.  

Agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: Directorate Fellows Program

Location: Alaska Office of Law Enforcement

My first several weeks working with the foreign species program in the Ecological Services branch of the US Fish and Wildlife Service has been exciting and eye-opening. Along with my fellow DFP intern, I was quickly incorporated into the small and dedicated team in charge of evaluating foreign species under the engendered species act. This little-known branch of ecological services searches for, compiles, distills, and evaluates scientific and policy information for endangered and threatened species that occur outside of our borders.

As a student of ecology for the last decade, I have put most of my effort both in classroom and field education into understanding and conserving biodiversity in tropical forests. So far, I have updated species assessments for several tropical organisms including ornate and extremely imperiled swallowtail butterflies – one group of many that I study for my Ph.D. research. I am thrilled that my experience with international conservation entities, my familiarity with rare animals from Central and South America, and my personal mission to increase awareness of conservation are all aligning in this internship. My job this summer feels easier yet given the support and kindness of my FWS colleagues as I race to learn as much as possible about facets of the Service over our short, 11-week internship.

I am excited for what the next two months bring; so far my exposure to fun and interesting science via webinars, my education on writing styles for the government (which translate to so many other fields!), and my overview of the FWS have been educational, exciting, and inspirational as I consider my career path post-Ph.D. Working with others to increase awareness of conservation and the plight of many species outside of our borders presents an opportunity for me to capitalize on my skills and my passion.

Agency: U.S Forest Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: USFS Headquarters, Washington Office

Emily Khazan is a Ph.D. candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. While earning her master’s degree in biology studying giant damselflies in Neotropical rainforests, Emily’s mind was opened to the diversity, complexity, and wonder of these native forests. Prior to starting her Ph.D., Emily worked at a small field station in Costa Rica, conducting research and monitoring projects on a variety of taxa. Emily continues to work with the station to implement projects that both provide educational opportunities for biology students, and data to local land managers and scholars. Her Ph.D. research explores the forms and functions of butterflies in the Colombian Andes. Emily is a dedicated researcher, keen on exploring patterns and processes of the natural world to better understand and protect the earth’s biological diversity.