Insights

As part of its commitment to inspiring the next generation of conservationists, Highstead typically brings on 3-4 interns each year. While the pandemic moved our 2020 interns to a remote model, this summer, Highstead selected one Ecology Intern to work on-site to collect, record, and analyze data for several long-term research projects. Meet Danielle Weiss, Ecology Intern.

Danielle: My name is Danielle Weiss I am this summer’s Ecology Intern. I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree in Ecological Biology at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) this fall. I try to stay involved in the biology clubs at school, and I love getting outside and painting in my free time.

Danielle: Highstead had a great internship opportunity, so as soon as I heard I could apply, I did. I also thought it would be amazing to get some more experience in the field and try something new that I am very passionate about: plants!

Danielle: This ecology internship is similar to my past internships with the WCSU Tick Lab because I get to be out in the field most of the time collecting data. Then the rest of my time is spent entering data and analyzing results for my final project. This internship is different than my past internship experiences because I am learning and identifying plant, shrub, and seedling species that I wasn’t familiar with before coming to Highstead. This internship has already taught me so much about plant and tree identification and what is going on in the Oak versus Ash forests here at Highstead. I cannot wait to learn more!

Danielle: As a Highstead ecology intern, my day typically lasts from 9 am to 5 pm, and I start by going out into the field with [Senior Ecologist] Ed Faison, or just myself around 9:15, once I have everything packed and ready to go. Each day the goal is to go to two of the plots here at Highstead and identify every tree, shrub, seedling, and herb. To do this, I have to set up measuring tapes around the entire plot border and then set up two cross-sections. Within the plot, the goal is to identify all of the species and measure the tree’s diameter, come up with a percent coverage for the shrubs, seedlings, and herbs, and measure any woody debris on the diagonal cross-sections of the plot. After being out in the field, I come back to the barn and enter data. When I have some extra time I like to update the species identification list I created to help me out when I survey alone.

Danielle: My current academic and career goals go hand in hand because my long-term goal is to get my Ph.D. and do research on something related to ecology and conservation. I am now focused on studying for the GRE and looking into graduate schools for a Master’s program for next Fall.

Danielle: My motivation comes from my wish to help the environment someday with my research. I have been able to make that into a reality by working towards my education in ecological biology.

Danielle: Although I am really bad with names, Jane Goodall is one I will never forget. Jane is probably on everyone’s list of conservation heroes, including mine, because of her lifetime effort to conserve the environment and protect our wildlife. Jane is such an inspiring person, and I want to be even half of that one day—spreading conservation knowledge and action with the rest of the world.

Danielle: I love going to Sherwood Island State Park here in Connecticut on the weekends. Sherwood Island is in Westport and is a huge state park along the shore. I have so much fun being on the beach, longboarding, or painting there!

Danielle: My advice would be to apply to anything and everything that has to do with conservation or biology because any field or lab experience will be helpful. Even if you end up disliking your internship opportunity, it could help you figure out what you do not want to do in the future. Contrary to that, you might end up finding a great internship that can open doors for your career in the future and help you narrow down your future degree or career goals. I think that internships are a great way to get your foot in the door to something new, and I am very thankful to be at Highstead this summer.

Danielle: The advice that has stuck with me, especially recently, is that everything will work itself out if you are trying your best. Especially with biology and research in general, it can be really hard to know what your future will look like. The most important thing is to continue learning, trying out new internships, and creating connections, because if you are doing that, everything will work itself out. I have gotten this advice multiple times from many professors of mine when I ask, “How did you figure out what you wanted to research, and how did you get here?” I try to remind myself of this advice anytime I feel like I am lost or need a straighter and more familiar path for my future.

Highstead would not be what it is today without the steadfast leadership and diverse experiences of its team members. Meet the people of Highstead: experts, conservation leaders, scientists, and staff that embody Highstead’s mission to build a healthier, more livable world for all in our staff interview series.

Geordie: As Operations Director, my job is jack of all trades. I work with the team to oversee the day-to-day operations, including finances, HR, IT, buildings, and grounds, and I also participate in and support various aspects of our Land Stewardship, Ecology, Conservation programs, and our work on Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands, and Communities. One nice thing about my job is that I never get bored of doing the same thing.

Geordie: I grew up playing outside in the lakes, mountains, and forests of New Hampshire and have a great love for wild places and natural landscapes. The idea of working for an organization dedicated to learning about native plants and teaching the public about them excited me. When Highstead later expanded its mission to include land protection, I saw it as a logical extension that further aligned with my personal interests.

Geordie: The people of Highstead. Each staff member is passionate about what they do and is completely dedicated to their work. Each is unique and brings different talents and perspectives to our work. I am fortunate to work with such a collegial and professional group of individuals whose commitment to their work truly inspires me.

Geordie: I have a deep-seated belief that the world can be a better place. Working with people who share that belief and for an organization that embodies that in its mission encourages me to push forward. The Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands, and Communities Vision for the New England landscape is bold and some people may even think unachievable. I am undaunted by that. It helps inspire me to think about how we can improve the place where we live and sustain it for future generations.

Geordie: The success of the Ecotype Project excites me. Since college, I have imagined what our towns and cities would look like if we planted native plants and adopted naturalistic landscape techniques that integrated our planted landscapes into the natural lands that surround them. Motivated by the desire to create pollinator habitat, homeowners are planting native plants like never before. It is gratifying to see people plant plants that were grown from wild seed that we originally collected.

Geordie: The national parks are a U.S. treasure. My heroes are the many men and women who had the vision to see the value of protecting the unique places and the perseverance to push through the resistance of commercial interest that stood to gain from exploiting the natural resources.

Geordie: Doug Tallamy has done the research that supports what we have known all along — native plants are essential to healthy landscapes. His work on the relationship between native plants, insects, and the wildlife they support makes a compelling argument for planting natural landscapes.

Geordie: Education and awe. I really enjoy leading people on walks of the Highstead property and interpreting the landscape to them. The natural world is so complex and intricate, yet we tend to walk right past without even noticing. Pointing out the wonders of nature and helping someone understand how special our natural places are generally increases their commitment to protecting them.

Geordie: I like the White Mountains, particularly in winter. The beauty of the rock, the snow and ice, the challenge of extreme weather, and the quiet stillness of remote places energize me and helps me keep the world in its proper perspective. The big secret is that you really don’t get cold as long as you stay moving. Plus, there is no dirt, and there are no bugs!

Highstead would not be what it is today without the steadfast leadership and diverse experiences of its team members. Meet the experts, conservation leaders, scientists, and staff that embody Highstead’s mission to build a healthier, more liveable world for all in our new interview series.

Jesse: I am the grounds and facilities coordinator and responsible for the general upkeep of the Highstead barn and surrounding landscape. I also provide logistical support for events on-site and participate in some partner-sponsored and hosted activities.

Jesse: An interest in horticulture and tree care got me interested in Highstead, and a desire to work around positive people with similar interests was a bonus. With an emphasis on education, research, and outreach, I saw Highstead as an organization I could learn from and grow with, and where I could take pride in my work while knowing that I was doing something to help preserve the natural environment and resources we are all dependent upon.

Jesse: My job involves a variety of indoor and outdoor work that’s challenging and equally rewarding. I enjoy the outdoor work the most, especially when the weather is nice. In particular, I find fulfillment through planting and pruning, and being on the property every day, witnessing all the wildlife and seasonal changes. I really feel a connection to the land.

Jesse: My motivation comes partly from knowing that the work I do locally helps drive conservation on a larger scale. In a simpler form, I find encouragement directly through my work with plants. I enjoy pruning because it is a way to express myself artistically while also utilizing my knowledge to help guide my cuts. As much as I enjoy pruning, it’s also inspiring to see how plants adapt and grow when left to their own devices.

Jesse: Becoming a certified arborist. I have two licenses; one through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and the other is a professional certification through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Those achievements stick out to me because they represent a time in my life when I really began to understand what I wanted to do professionally and helped guide me to where I am today.

Jesse: My grandparents, although not conservationists, were avid birders and active in local groups focused on the environment. If I had to credit anyone for getting me interested in the great outdoors, it would be them. They would almost always be doing something outside, whether gardening, fishing, bird watching, or just taking a walk. They loved to share their experiences with us.

Jesse: Some challenges I see are:

Jesse: My family has a cabin and some land in New Hampshire (thanks to my Grandparents), near the White Mountains. I have many fond memories of visiting there over the years. It’s special because of what it lacks: running water and electricity. Staying there for even a few days is a great way to remember how lucky we are to have all the amenities we do. One of my favorite things to do there is to walk the trails around the property. It’s especially charming in the winter because the woods are often quiet enough to hear the snowfall.

Jesse: I think it’s important that we first try to learn their stories when making an appeal to individuals (and groups) outside our own circle. I think by listening and understanding, we have a better chance at finding common ground and achieving success through mutual cooperation.

Highstead would not be what it is today without the steadfast leadership and diverse experiences of its team members. Meet the experts, conservation leaders, scientists, and staff that embody Highstead’s mission to build a healthier, more liveable world for all in our new interview series.

Katie: I’m a Conservationist at Highstead, and in this role I support the work of Regional Conservation Partnerships (RCPs) across the Northeast.

Katie: I always admired the thoughtful conservation work that came out of Highstead and their leadership through the initiatives they led and supported. Back in 2012, I served as the Coordinator for the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership and got to work alongside Bill Labich, who was on the MassConn steering committee at the time. During my time at MassConn, I learned about the Wildlands and Woodlands Vision that guides Highstead’s work and became a regular RCP Gathering attendee. When the Conservationist position opened up in 2019, I jumped at the opportunity!

Katie: My motivation comes from a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to be the best advocate I can be for our natural world. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I began to wonder if I should have followed another more lucrative field. However, during an environmental economics class, I realized that no part of our modern world would exist if we didn’t take care of the place we entirely depended on, yet often take for granted. Our natural world and the resources on which people depend are in no short supply of challenges, and it is these challenges that get me out of bed ready to get to work every day.

Katie: I’m the first generation in my family to go to college and the only person in my extended family to earn a Master’s degree. I’m most proud of the years of hard work, dedication, and the years of piecing together several part-time jobs so that I could pursue my interests in conservation. In my family, it was a luxury to pursue my dream, and one we couldn’t necessarily afford. I grew up in a working-class family and watched my parents work multiple jobs so that we could have the opportunity to go to college one day and make a life for ourselves that was better than what my parents had. My love for the outdoors and wildlife led me to wildlife biology and ultimately conservation. Unlike many of my peers, I couldn’t afford to take unpaid internships, so like my parents, I had to work part-time jobs and find work outside of seasonal fieldwork. I learned to build and rely on the network I was shaping to continue to advance in my career and move toward gainful employment.

Katie: When I was 18, I got tickets to see Jane Goodall speak as part of an honors class I was taking at a local community college. I didn’t know who Jane Goodall was at the time, so I almost didn’t go to the event. I still remember that when she took the stage, and before saying hello, she pant-hooted like a chimpanzee. I was hooked! I then spent the next five years or so learning everything about her.

What I admire most was that she didn’t have a traditional background in science before Louise Leakey sent her off into the jungle to pioneer the study of chimpanzees. She completely changed how we define ourselves, what it means to be human, and what we knew about our closest kin. I also admire Jane’s dedication to the work and to the bigger vision and the hope she carries for our planet, even though many have worked to discredit her throughout her career. Jane sent me off into this field, and although I ended up chasing after birds, not chimpanzees, I owe her for lighting up this path for me to pursue.

Katie: I am so blessed to have found my way to an organization that values a healthy work-life balance. As a new mom, Highstead offered me flexibility in my schedule as I got back to work after maternity leave and currently during the COVID pandemic as my husband and I navigate childcare challenges. My “seat at the table” in the initiatives I lead and projects I participate in is still very much valued even when I’m not always able to be in my seat because I’m balancing work and home.

However, this is not the case for many women and working moms in the conservation field, or in most fields for that matter. I think women will continue to face challenges to advance in their careers while maintaining a work-life balance. Women will continue to face challenges they have for years— earning less than their male counterparts, advancing to leadership positions, facing opposition to their ideas and research, and so on. But, the field of conservation is dominated by women, and it is my hope that as we work to amplify each other’s work, that we also help normalize and support a healthy work-life balance for all people, so we can really make the progress that is needed for our environment.

Katie: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. I read this during my first year of college and I think it’s an excellent reminder of the overt and covert ways women scientists are attacked, threatened, or discredited in their work. Carson’s book accused powerful chemical companies of widespread environmental degradation due to indiscriminate use of pesticides that we still see the effects of today, particularly how DDT affected bird populations. It’s also a great reminder to me to stick with the challenging work we take on in conservation and trust myself and my work’s integrity, especially in the face of opposition.

Katie: One of my favorite places is the Massachusetts coastline. I spent years studying the breeding and post-breeding habits of Common and Roseate Terns, which meant living on remote islands, and spending hours on beaches looking for these birds. I was so plugged into the rhythm of the tides and ecology of the coast, and of course the terns, that to this day, whenever I hear a tern, I am instantly transported back to my time on the beaches in Massachusetts.

Katie: Listen. Listen to those with different perspectives. Listen to what people see and experience in their communities and hear what it is people want and need. Listen to the scientist and non-scientist equally. Listen to your fellow environmental advocates, from those who have just entered the field to those who are readying for retirement. Listen to your partners, especially those outside of the conservation field. While our conservation challenges will require innovative remedies and technologies, the key to developing them and successfully implementing them is to understand. The key to understanding is building transformational relationships with people because we can’t do this alone. It’s going to take everyone.

Katie: Often times, your route to following your dream isn’t a straight line. Because I had to take jobs in between field seasons or make up for a low-paying internship, I often had to find work outside the conservation field. Before graduate school, I needed a longer-term job to help me save, so I took a position as a paralegal for legal aid. I remember feeling like this was a significant detour from my field, and I felt self-conscious about that. My future graduate school advisor helped me see that the skills I was learning in this job were completely transferrable to conservation: problem-solving, building arguments, understanding legal jargon, advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves, and so on. There are several entry points into following your dream; you just have to be open to connecting your diverse experiences and background.