My name is Megan Ellis, I am one of the summer 2017 interns here at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. I was raised in Live Oak, Florida on a farm. Growing up, I loved the outdoors and participated in activities such as hunting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing, photography and more. I spent my middle and high school years in clubs like FFA and on teams like cross country where I could spend time outside and remain actively involved. I currently attend the University of Florida and am pursuing a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with a minor in Forestry. Since I started college in fall 2015, I have immersed myself in local organizations, volunteer opportunities, wildlife research, and internships. I have been a member and officer of The UF Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society since I started college. I was Freshman Representative my first year and am currently an Education Coordinator for a second year. I have attended and organized outreach events on our college campus and at schools (K-12) and libraries in our county during my time as Education Coordinator. I am also helping to revive the Gainesville Herpetological Society and serve as Vice President now.

During summer 2015 I took a Youth Conservation Corps job in Ketchikan, Alaska with the USFS. I spent six weeks there—the first two as a volunteer for the Wildlife and Fisheries Crew; the last four as an employee through YCC where I worked with the Interpretation, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, and Recreation crews separately, respectively, each week. I gained an appreciation for fisheries there as I spent a lot of time working on salmon ladders. I also fell in love with the ecology of the Tongass National Forest and hope to work there again someday.       

I became involved with local conservation groups when I reached Gainesville and obtained an internship with the Alachua Conservation Trust my first semester. There, I practiced land management and restoration. I participated in invasive species removal, recreation management, equipment maintenance and general mechanics. I learned about the daily functions of a non-profit organization and saw the benefits of having partner organizations in action. I learned to be efficient when performing tasks and gained many basic field safety skills while working.

After those two ventures, in spring 2016 I volunteered at Ashton Biological Preserve where I practiced reptile husbandry and rekindled my childhood love of reptiles and amphibians. I then worked at a summer camp as a nature instructor and finished off the 2016 year volunteering and working checking drift fences in Ocala National Forest for reptiles and amphibians. My love for reptiles and amphibians started at a young age, but I never thought it would become so important in my career path. I have given many presentations on herpetofauna to people of all ages and now realize I enjoy public outreach, so I may consider a job in that area.

This internship at St. Marks has already given me the opportunity to work directly with red-cockaded woodpeckers and sea turtles and it seems I may have an opportunity to help locate the red wolves at St. Vincent for routine monitoring and help set up for more salamander surveys. I went to college with a dream of working with wolves, and I am excited I may have a chance while here. I’m enthused for what the rest of the summer holds and plan to soak up as much information as possible.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge has the most beautiful and well-managed ecosystems I have ever seen. Before accepting this fantastic internship I had not considered remaining in Florida for work long term. I now contemplate whether I will even want to leave this internship at the end of the summer! I am honored to work with a crew as kind, patient, and knowledgeable as the one here and cannot thank you enough for helping provide this opportunity for students like myself. The only way to be prepared for a wildlife job is to get outside and experience field work: This internship rivals my beloved position in Alaska in its well-rounded and organized structure. I could not have asked for a better summer job and I truly appreciate everything you have done to make this possible.

Thank you!