summer internship

2021 Intern Reflections: Gab

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Gab is a junior studying Natural Resource Conservation with a focus on Wildlife Conservation at UMass Amherst. They first heard about Eagle Eye from a peer advisor at UMass, Gabby Gracia, who interned with Eagle Eye in 2019. Gab is part of the STEM Ambassadors Program at UMass, a mentorship program for historically underrepresented students in the STEM fields.

I discovered Eagle Eye fairly coincidentally, by looking through the personal statements of the peer advisors, one of whom had been an intern with Eagle Eye in 2019. Through browsing the Eagle Eye website, I learned about the mission to connect all youth with nature and conserve MountainStar Forest, a mission that deeply resonated with me and aligns with my career goals of working in wildlife conservation. When I learned of the summer internship program, I was eager to be a part of Eagle Eye’s mission, and I am immensely grateful to have been given that opportunity. 

Eagle Eye’s site is on an incredibly beautiful natural landscape, whose isolation encourages a depth of self-reflection that is seldom possible elsewhere. Being immersed in the outdoors everyday, sleeping in tents, stewarding the trails, and eating vegetables from the garden fosters a necessary and mutually beneficial connection with the land that I will take with me always. Through working on building projects with [Eagle Eye Site Manager] Scott, I learned how to use new tools and drive a tractor. On our group walks along the trails, the Eagle Eye interns and staff shared plant and mushroom ID knowledge that we were then able to pass on to the youth with whom we worked on the Learn About Forests programs.

I think the opportunity to intern at Eagle Eye would benefit anyone looking to gain confidence in the outdoors, great personal and professional connections, and experience in carpentry, youth work, and communal living. It is an experience I won’t forget.

2021 Intern Reflections: Julia

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Julia Boral recently graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in American Studies, where she focused on intersections of race, class, gender, tourism, and memory studies. Julia first learned about Eagle Eye through social media while she was researching her senior thesis. Her interview with Foundation Team member Chris Cato lives on her project website, which highlights outdoor equity organizations across the country.

I arrived at Eagle Eye in the midst of a new chapter of my life. I recently graduated from college and have been thinking about possible future life paths. I am uncertain about next steps, but Eagle Eye offered an ideal place to reset, reflect, and reconnect with peace and the natural world. 

Upon arriving at Eagle Eye’s site in Peru, I was immediately struck by its beauty. The green fields, flower beds, and large garden were a welcome sight each morning. As I continued exploring the site, the paths in the forest became favorite spots for me to stroll. Walking through the woods, I took in the large trees, birdsong, the feel of the breeze, and the stream rushing nearby. Journaling and sketching surrounded by these sights and sounds provided me the opportunity to be more present in my immediate environment. Living at Eagle Eye for three and a half weeks gave me the opportunity to slow down and appreciate smaller moments of beauty that I don’t always notice while living in a city. 

As an intern at Eagle Eye, I learned many new aspects about myself from the physical and mental challenges I experienced. Lifting logs for building projects, navigating a new kitchen set up, and living in a communal setting all tested me in unexpected ways. While helping run youth programs and working with a team I learned to trust that other people will be there to support. I am often an independent person and learned that leaning on my team of interns for help even when I felt the urge to act independently alleviated some of the stresses of time management. Accepting help and being flexible in a new environment were some skills I honed over time while at Eagle Eye and will carry with me into future endeavors. I also found that I enjoy working with kids and was in awe of their wonder and curiosity upon digging for newts and frolicking in the rain. I want to carry these joyful moments of innocence and glee with me into the future. 

Overall, I had an amazing time as an Eagle Eye intern. This program fostered close friendships and was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people with similar interests. Sharing laughter around the dinner table, dancing up the road to Lady Gaga, and splashing in the waterfall were all memorable bonding moments. I recommend this internship to any college student or recent grad who seeks a place to connect with nature, gain new skills and build on existing ones, all while getting to know some pretty cool people. I look forward to seeing how I carry what I have learned at Eagle Eye into the future. 

2021 Intern Reflections: Lindsey

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Lindsey Robison is a junior at UMass Amherst studying Natural Resource Conservation and Education. She first got connected to Eagle Eye through an Environmental Leadership class at UMass, where she helped develop and lead a lesson on sustainability for our Eagle Club after-school program in fall 2020.

My time at Eagle Eye has been beneficial to me on a professional level, but has also allowed me to achieve the personal growth I have been striving for. I came to Eagle Eye initially because I was interested in environmental education, but upon learning about the internship, I was intrigued by all of the components. I’ve always been interested in carpentry, and getting that experience has confirmed that it is something I want to pursue. I also came in wanting to expand my knowledge of the outdoors and camping, which I definitely achieved. As a Natural Resource Conservation and Education Major, I was able to gain invaluable experience working with kids and expand my knowledge of the outdoors.  

On a personal level, the Eagle Eye site is a truly idyllic place that allowed me to take a step back from day-to-day distractions and focus entirely on my mentality. I think the Eagle Eye Residential Internship is a great opportunity for college students to immerse themselves in nature and form a deeper connection with themselves and disconnect from the fast-paced world we live in. Not only did my experience here reinforce my love for nature, but I also gained skills in carpentry, trail stewardship, youth work, and vegan cooking, all of which I was interested in. I also formed meaningful relationships with the other interns and staff. I would recommend any college student interested in the outdoors to apply to this internship.

Giving back in gratitude and stewardship

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Jenna Shea is a recent graduate of UMass Amherst who double majored in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Conservation. Jenna came to Eagle Eye wanting to explore both community engagement and field work to get a better idea of her path after college. While she was at Eagle Eye, she accepted a position with TerraCorps at Wareham Land Trust as their Community Engagement and Land Stewardship Coordinator. Congratulations, Jenna!

Below is her reflection on the 2020 summer internship.

I came to Eagle Eye with worry, doubt, and uncertainty clouding my thoughts about life post-graduation, but within the first few days of being here, those thoughts quieted and were replaced with thoughts about the beauty of the site and the people that surrounded me. Through trail stewardship, I gained skills in maintaining the land and learned tips on how to ID trees, listen for the waterfall-like call of the wood thrush, and spot little mushrooms popping up from the leaf litter (fungi eye!). In listening and watching, I learned that everyone belongs in nature and has a role, from the mosquitoes that provide a food source for bats, to the fungi that overtake trees and help them return to the earth through decomposition.

Even humans have their place and purpose in nature. Though many of us are taught to believe that this world would be better off without us, we are just as much a part of it as any other being, a part of the cycles, the coming and going, the giving and taking. We are taught that all we do is take and that we add nothing of value, but we give back in our gratitude and our stewardship of the land. Through the work we did, I learned that I have the capability to wield a nail gun and build a deck. I discovered that I have the knowledge to design and lead a lesson and to be an effective steward of the land. I will carry this heightened sense of confidence in my abilities into whatever I do next.

Through morning meditations and silent moments waiting for the rain to pass, I learned the virtue of being present, of knowing that there are deadlines to meet and emails to send, but allowing those thoughts to pass to make room for the dancing light, the cool refreshing water, and the birdsong. Eagle Eye provided a supportive and nurturing environment through which to grow and find clarity, and I will use the lessons I have learned here to work to make natural spaces more inclusive and to connect communities to the natural world that surrounds them.

Learning to trust myself

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Alexander Voisine is a rising sophomore at Holyoke Community College studying Environmental Science. Growing up in Belchertown, he was connected to nature from a young age, exploring the forests and natural areas around his home. Later, he passed on his love for nature to younger students in the Ecomentors program at Belchertown High School. Alec plans to continue his education at UMass Amherst, exploring his interests in the natural sciences and education.

While at Eagle Eye, Alec developed a lesson on aquatic ecology with his fellow intern Jenna Shea and took the lead on designing and constructing interpretive signs for a collaborative intern project.

Below is Alexander’s reflection on the 2020 internship program.

This opportunity taught me a lot about myself and nature, as well as how to bring the experience of nature to others. I plan to bring a lot home with me when I leave. For starters, I plan to bring home the dairy-free part of the diet. I was surprised how well my body felt after a transition to this new way of eating! While we’ve been here, we’ve acquired many new skills, as well as developed existing ones. Working on the deck for the cabin, for instance, allowed me to gain hands-on skills with tools I don’t use very often. 

There is one last thing I’ll take home with me that I’ve discovered while I’ve been here. I stepped out of my car a different person than I am today. I had an idea for my life, but no real sense of direction. As I spent time here, I began to see myself differently, thanks to Cass and my fellow interns. With the feedback they gave me, as well as taking time to reflect, I was able to discover new skills I never knew I had, and I learned to trust myself and my goals. I now plan to explore school and careers with this new confidence and these uncovered skills. 

Being out in nature for three weeks has allowed me to reflect on myself and learn to trust my skills and knowledge. I also found that teaching and the environment are both things I enjoy and plan to investigate education and careers in that direction. This internship is very valuable for college students. It can teach you new skills, hone existing ones, give you a new perspective on yourself, and provide a feeling of community.

A simple and uncomplicated happiness

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Argenis Herrera is a rising junior at Williams College studying Political Economy. He is a passionate nature lover and social justice advocate.

Argenis came to the internship with extensive leadership experience in organizations including Greening Forward, a socially conscious youth-led nonprofit focused on sustainability, the Minority Coalition at Williams College, the Committee on Diversity and Community, and the Zilkha Center, advocating for sustainable solutions on campus.

Argenis participated in Williams’ backpacking orientation program for incoming students and experienced the wonder and awe of being immersed in nature. He later became a leader in the program, mentoring other first-year students on transformative outdoor trips.

Below is Argenis’ reflection on the 2020 internship program.

I came to Eagle Eye at a weird time between two places, looking for a healthy distraction from all the chaos in the world. Simultaneously, I sought clarity on a lot of what I’d been dealing with prior to arriving.

After three weeks of living sustainably outdoors at MountainStar Forest, I have found everything I’ve been looking for. There is truly no other place like this. First, there is the committed focus on sustainability that offers a plant-based diet and food grown on-site, and asks us all to be caring stewards of the forest. It’s through this focus that I was able to dismantle previously held notions of the natural world and find comfort in the balance and simplicity of nature.

But Eagle Eye doesn’t end with that. There is also a needed focus on equity and inclusion that has encouraged and allowed for heavy but necessary conversations. Since being here I have felt completely part of a family in spite of my traditionally marginalized identities. Community at Eagle Eye is not conditional; it is extensive and meaningful. 

I will be leaving with memories of a simple and uncomplicated happiness, of a time unmarred by conflict or tension. I will be leaving with snapshots of time spent meditating in the morning sun, jamming out with guitars in the glow of Christmas lights, making dinner in the outdoor kitchen, night swims and bonfires under the moon and stars, and long conversations about life, love, grief, and the simple things. I will be leaving with lessons on mindfulness and communication, aquatic ecology and tree ID. I will be leaving a different person than when I arrived, and I am never going to forget that.

Nature as the grounding force

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Lisa Shore is a rising senior majoring in Math at Smith College. They came to our summer internship with experience working at a nature camp in Germany last summer. In addition to speaking German and Italian, Lisa is a writer and poet. While here, they developed and taught a Nature Writing workshop with fellow intern Argenis Herrera that made poetry and creative writing accessible to folks with no previous experience.

Below is Lisa’s reflection on the internship program, as well as the group poem we created by arranging words and phrases that captured the moment, looking out from the outdoor kitchen at an afternoon rainstorm.

This program gave me the opportunity to reconnect with myself, away from constant news clips and video chats. The site feels like a safe little bubble where we can focus on physical work, eating well, spending time among the trees and the birds, and connecting with others and ourselves. I’m so grateful for this time with myself and others who appreciate the outdoors as much as I do. I will take with me the early mornings, daily meditations, intentional and healthy cooking, and all the laughter, dancing, and singing under the blue sky and the stars. The conversations I’ve had and self-reflection I’ve been given space to do have pointed me in so many new directions. I’m looking forward to exploring them, with nature always there as the grounding force.

green swaying growth

damp bark

noisy birds

shiny Mother Nature

drip drop song

trees rumble 

crisp wet rain

power glasses

fresh citronella

life in the moment