This spring, the Nisqually River Education Project (NREP) and The Evergreen State College’s Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS) partnered to support two interns, Colbi Stewart and Colton Evans. Over the course of several months, Colbi and Colton provided the NREP with invaluable support and enhanced the experience of students who participated in our programming. Although the NREP has supported Evergreen interns in the past, this was our first year working with the CCAS and we could not have been more pleased with the results!
Colbi and Colton’s infectious energy and dedication was incredibly appreciated by all of us at the NREP. Their presence allowed us to maintain a low student-to-educator ratio during field experiences, which significantly improved the student experience. Colbi and Colton both showed remarkable initiative and a willingness to jump in, often leading activities they had never seen “in action” before. Their adaptability was evident as they guided students through these activities with confidence and an eye for scientific exploration.
Over the course of their internships, Colbi and Colton contributed to the experience of over 1,200 students! These meaningful interactions took place as they assisted the NREP with four different types of field experiences: our Eye on Nature trips at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, our Nearshore trips to Nisqually Reach Nature Center, our Salmon Cedar Canoe trips at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Culture Center, and two habitat restoration trips, one at Nisqually State Park and one on Nisqually Land Trust property. Colbi and Colton were able to seamlessly transition between the different types of field trips, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Nisqually Watershed and the NREP’s role within it.
Beyond providing an extra pair of knowledgeable hands, interns often serve as role models for youth, bridging the gap between students and educators. The students who participate in NREP programming benefit immensely from seeing the diverse range of careers and backgrounds within the natural resources field, and observing the journey from student to career professional first hand helps them visualize their own potential paths. Many younger students took advantage of having Colbi or Colton leading their activities and asked them questions about what college was like and what they were studying. Relatedly, one of our goals for interns is to introduce them to a wide variety of educators and natural resources professionals so they can see the diversity of career opportunities our local area offers in the environmental field. Colbi and Colton both took full advantage of the connections the NREP has with our many partners to ask questions and learn more about the organizations we work with.
Our partnership with the CCAS and the contributions of Colbi and Colton have been an outstanding success. Their dedication, energy, and initiative have made a lasting impact on both our team and the students we serve. We look forward to continuing this partnership and witnessing the growth and achievements of future CCAS interns who will undoubtedly follow in Colbi and Colton’s footsteps.
