Acadian Internships
2011 Acadian Internships
Nine college students from four countries, including the U.S., are working in Washington County this summer. They are participating in the Acadian Internship in Regional Conservation and Stewardship program sponsored by the Quebec Labrador Foundation, the Schoodic Education and Research Center and the University of Maine. The program combines rigorous coursework with a month-long internship at a host organization.
Karena Mahung who is from Belize and Cara McGuire from Massachusetts are working in Grand Lake Stream at the Downeast Lakes Land Trust. They have already helped with an education program, blazed a hiking trail, surveyed brook trout streams for splash dams left from the river-driving era, and monitored the Farm Cove Community Forest.
Four students are working at the Washington County Council of Governments. Makkedah John from Canada and Olivia Kefauver from the U.S. are mapping the Washington County food network. The map will provide visuals of the location of farmers’ markets, food clubs, food pantries, etc. as part of the preparation of a plan to develop a strong, sustainable local food network for the county.
Enock Zenda from South Africa, and Nate Legere from New Hampshire are studying the carbon footprint of several communities in Washington County. They are also looking at carbon neutral forms of alternative energy that can help communities reduce their carbon footprints and save money.
The arrival of two interns at the Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF) in Columbia Falls almost doubled its staff. Danny Labranch and Katie Graichen’s main task has been the creation of maps of DSF properties for the public to use for hiking, fishing, and canoeing. As part of the project they have photographed the properties so that studies can be done to monitor changes in the land over time. The interns have also been involved in trail maintenance and fish habitat work.
Nathan Rutenbeck has been working with the Open Space Institute to describe the philosophical changes in conservation approaches and how those changes have affected land deals and collaborative projects.
The interns will leave their field sponsors and reconvene at the Schoodic Education and Research Center in Winter Harbor in mid-August. They will have a wealth of information to share with other interns and to bring back to their communities.
The Acadian Internship Program is sponsored by the Quebec Labrador Foundation, Schoodic Education and Research Center, the Frenchman Bay Conservancy, several universities including the University of Maine and Unity College, and in partnership with Acadia National Park.
Contact:
Dr. Sarah Nelson
Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research
102 Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469
(207) 581-3454
acadianinternship@gmail.com