My name is Alex Alford and I graduated from the University of Florida in December 2014 with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. I was born outside of Baltimore, Maryland but I moved to Gainesville, Florida when I was eleven—so I grew up mostly in Gainesville. I have always loved wildlife since I was a child. I grew up loving the different books on nature that my parents read me as a kid, going to zoos, and watching the Discovery Channel.  

I found this field while I was searching through possible majors at the University of Florida. I wanted to go for Zoology but that didn’t really work out, so I tried to see what other wildlife related majors UF had to offer and I found the WEC program. I am so thankful that I did because I have been loving it ever since. I’ve had so many great experiences in the WEC program, from catching baby alligators on an airboat with FWC to learning how to subdue a Burmese Python with Florida Wildlife Services. I honestly feel like I picked the best major at UF.  

Last summer I had the opportunity to go to Swaziland on a study abroad trip and was able to experience wildlife research first hand. I got to set up camera traps and analyze camera data, set up Sherman traps and process the small mammals that were caught, do point count surveys and identify birds by their calls, and learn a variety of vegetation sampling techniques. It was a great experience and I learned more in that summer by doing hands-on research than in any of my classes. The coordinator of that study abroad trip, my professor Bob McCleery, told me about the internship opportunity at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It sounded like something I would really want to be a part of so I applied and am now interning here. I am learning a lot every day at this internship and I am really grateful to be given this opportunity. I plan on working very hard at my job and using the skills I learn here to pursue a career with a wildlife agency. After I have more experience in the field and have a better idea of what I want to study, I plan on going back to school to work on a Master’s Degree.  

When it comes to stuff outside of wildlife, I enjoy riding my bike through the town, drawing, and writing. I am also really involved with my faith, and plan on going on a year-long mission trip for my church starting this July. I became a Christian and started following Jesus three years ago and He has been what my life is about ever since. I hope to be able to use what I learn doing wildlife research to glorify God in any way that I can.