This summer I have been working as a communications and outreach intern for Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts. On days when I’m at the refuge I spend my time doing a variety of different things - anything from preparing for and leading outreach events to going on birding tours and learning about the different birds that call the refuge land home. So far, I’ve really enjoyed learning more about all of the different jobs that go into running a National Wildlife Refuge and I'm constantly blown away by the natural beauty of the land that I am fortunate enough to arrive at and explore each day at work! 

I have also been part of an educational program where the refuge has partnered with the non-profit organization Massachusetts Audubon Society to bring nature programming to kids at a summer school program in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Through this partnership I have really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the kids and introduce them to a bunch of different materials. The programming has spanned quite the array of topics as well as age ranges of the kids, and we have done everything from water quality testing on the Merrimack River to nature based games and crafts. 

Now that the Lawrence program has wrapped up I will be spending the remainder of the summer at the wildlife refuge before I head back to college in the fall. In the coming weeks we will be leading daily children's programming and are in the final push to get all of our materials prepared for them to arrive next week, pulling together everything from binoculars and bird guides to plankton nets and microscopes! 

Every day this summer has been so different and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to experience so many different aspects of life working with the refuge and all of their many partners.