Student Info

Name: Ali Bailey
Term: Spring 2022
Credits: 8
Title of Internship: Thurston Conservation District Community Outreach Internship

Internship Info

Internship hours/wk: 15
Internship credits: 6
Academic credits: 2

Field Supervisor

Field supervisor: Nora Carman-White
Title: Communications & Education Manager
Organization: Thurston Conservation District

Sponsor

Name: Dr. Sarah Williams
Title: Faculty
Organization: The Evergreen State College

Project Description

Narrative:

This internship with Thurston Conservation District is designed to be a community-based learning experience where the student will assist in bringing educational programs and conservation volunteer experiences to adults and youth in Thurston County. Activities the student will assist Education and Outreach staff with include general outreach activities and information distribution, volunteer recruitment, public communications, and planning and coordination for events such as the annual South Sound Regional Envirothon competition for high school students.

In support of her learning goals, the student will write weekly blog posts on an ePortfolio with personal reflections and connections between internship experience and reading materials. Texts to be studied include: Farm (and Other F Words): The Rise and Fall of the Small Family Farm by Sarah K. Mock, The Farm as Natural Habitat edited by Dana L. Jackson and Laura L. Jackson, Nature’s Matrix by Ivette Perfecto, John Vandermeer, and Angus Wright, The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide by Dan Imhoff and Christina Badaracco, and Aldo Leopold and the Ecological Conscience. 

Learning objective
ActivityDeliverable
 To collaborate with conservation district staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders to promote conservation practices on agricultural lands.Assist staff with planning and coordination of outreach and educational events, creation and distribution of public communication materials, and participate in daily operations. Notes and progress posted to an ePortfolio with weekly blog posts and consistent documentation.  
To connect hands-on experience with relevant academic research. Reading reference texts or other sources to increase understanding of links between biodiversity, soil and water conservation, and food justice.  Notes and progress posted to an ePortfolio with weekly blog posts and consistent documentation. 

Evaluation of Work

  • Narrative evaluation from field supervisor emailed to sponsor
  • Narrative evaluation from sponsor
  • Narrative self-evaluation from student
  • WordPress ePortfolio
  • Final week ten presentation