It’s National Student Employment Week, so we’re celebrating by shining a light on some of the talented undergraduate and graduate students of the Natural Resources Institute.
Perusing their profiles below, you’ll notice that our students don’t do just one thing: they manage social media, assemble stream monitoring kits, conduct evaluations and even create art. They work around the state at different campuses and study a diverse range of fields. Collectively, they show that natural resources work is multifaceted and often fueled by memorable, early experiences in Wisconsin’s wild places.
So, to our students: thank you. We are grateful for the energy and perspective you bring, and we hope your time with NRI plays a small part in helping you to explore your interests, deepen your curiosity, and prepare for the important work ahead.
Read on to learn more about our wonderful student employees and the work they do.
Bennett Artman
Outreach Student Assistant, Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program
What are you studying?
I’m a junior in psychology and environmental studies at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
I help to share the work that Wisconsin Master Naturalists do by making videos and reviewing the content we share with the community. I also try to engage students on campus in conversation about the work of Master Naturalists and the work of NRI. I have learned about the behind-the-scenes intricacies that go into making Master Naturalist trainings happen, and I have been able to meet many smart and diverse people working to spread the love of land stewardship, protection and education here in Madison.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
One of my favorite natural areas is the Lakeshore Nature Preserve on the UW–Madison campus because it is where I fostered my love and understanding of nature, and it was the place that inspired me to become a Wisconsin Master Naturalist.
Sean Bertalot
Student Assistant, Water Action Volunteers Program (WAV)
What are you studying?
I’m a junior in environmental science at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
In my position, I help manage [the WAV] website, take inventory of our gear and put together stream monitoring kits for our volunteers. Along with these tasks I do anything else I can to help facilitate our program.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
My favorite outdoor place in Wisconsin has to be the Driftless Area. As an avid trout fisherman, I have spent a lot of time there, and I love standing on a stream surrounded by beautiful hills and valleys.
Chen-Ting Chang
Project Assistant for ACER Maple Syrup grant
What are you studying?
I’m a PhD student in communication arts at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
My job is to do the following:
- Conduct qualitative interviews with foresters to understand their outreach and communication needs and build their capacity in providing advice that encourages woodland owners in Wisconsin to participate in maple syrup production on their land.
- Conduct quantitative surveys to advance the knowledge and readiness of Wisconsin’s woodland owners to engage in, or expand, sustainable maple-sugaring activities.
- Develop, implement and evaluate social media messages to discover what communication strategies are most effective to get woodland owners interested in learning more about maple syrup production.
- Prepare an inventory of existing outreach and educational resources related to encouraging woodland owners to become involved in maple syrup production.
- Identify educational needs of Tribal communities for collaboration and outreach delivery to encourage maple syrup production on Native lands.
I have learned a lot about tapping maple trees. It seems like an interesting activity. I would love to tap and make my own maple syrup someday!
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
Cave of the Mounds! The limestone cave is so beautiful. It is an amazing adventure to walk through the cave. The colorful crystal formations are stunning, and it is such a cool experience to explore underground!
Patrick Gilvary
Coastal Training Program Assistant, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve
What are you studying?
I’m a master’s student in freshwater sciences at UW-Milwaukee.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
I do a wide range of things with the Coastal Training Program. Primarily, I gather and organize information for an upcoming native planting guide, assist with planning future Coastal Training Program events and analyze evaluations from previous events. I have learned how to work independently as well as how to work in a team of experts in a variety of fields. I have also learned a lot about the planning process that goes into putting together events, workshops and projects. I’ve enjoyed seeing the water issues that I learn about in my classes be addressed in the real world.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
The Seven Bridges nature trail in Milwaukee
Taylor Haag
Natural Resources Communication Assistant and Graduate Fellow with the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve
What are you studying?
I am a master’s student in environmental conservation at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
I manage social media accounts for three of NRI’s branded programs: North Central Region Water Network, the Conservation Professional Training Program and Grassland 2.0. As well, I assist with other communication tasks such as writing and editing blog posts, the monthly newsletter and email marketing. I have learned so much about marketing and communicating conservation to a wide range of audiences and using social media to leverage these messages. I have a greater understanding for all of the amazing conservation work that is done here in Wisconsin and the Midwest by Extension professionals and farmers.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
Peninsula State Park in Door County
Mandi Jebe
Outreach Student Assistant
What are you studying?
I am a graduate student in life sciences communication at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
In my position I get to help many programs at the NRI with various tasks. I’ve worked with Natural Resource Educators regarding social media outreach and educational videos. I’ve worked with the Master Naturalists concerning their training activities and communication of opportunities for volunteering and further education. I have learned a lot about how to approach various groups in Wisconsin when it comes to communication goals.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
My current favorite place in Wisconsin is perhaps a bit cliché, but I love Devil’s Lake. I plan to do more exploring this summer so that could very well change.
Marie Jensen
2022 Flow Project Artist
What are you studying?
I am a senior in conservation biology and zoology at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
Being a Flow artist has allowed me to combine art and science for one of the first times in my college experience! I grew up with a deep attachment to music and the arts. Until now, I had felt as if that part of me was neglected as a science student, always focusing on the quantitative and objective. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the 2022 Flow cohort, and I’m planning to blend science with the arts much more as I graduate and enter the professional world.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
One of my favorite camping spots is in the Driftless Area, a bit east from La Crosse. I really enjoy the topography of that region.
The Flow Project pairs student artists with Wisconsin water professionals to communicate science through art. Marie’s painting, which appears on the left, is entitled “Riparian Community.” Learn more about the Flow Project here.
Owen Moylan
Student Evaluator
What are you studying?
I am a senior in economics, history and sociology at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
My job is to assist the evaluation experts with their projects, which means I do lots of different things. For example, I have reviewed transcripts, helped conduct interviews and performed quantitative data analysis. I would say the biggest thing I have learned is how to truly collaborate on big projects. The projects at the NRI are much bigger than those that I have done for school, and the evaluators have taught me a lot about the logistics of handling so much work and dividing it between people to be more efficient.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
I love Wyalusing State Park. It’s a great place to camp and hike!
Ayse Okur Ozdemir
Graduate Student Evaluator and Project Assistant
What are you studying?
I am a PhD student in educational leadership and policy analysis.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
I support evaluation projects through creating evaluation instruments and assessment tools, analyzing data and reporting evaluation outcomes. In my three years with the evaluation team of NRI, I have learned a great deal about evaluation practices, evaluative thinking, quantitative and qualitative analytic approaches to evaluation data and various ways of reporting evaluation outcomes thanks to the expertise and diverse experiences of the evaluation specialists I have worked with. I have also had multiple opportunities to work with the instructional design team in AgLearn courses and learned about how NRCS courses are designed, developed, and evaluated. Thanks to my unit’s investment in professional development, I had opportunities to engage in evaluation-focused conferences and trainings and connected with evaluation professionals from different areas.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
One of my favorite outdoor places is Governor Nelson State Park in Middleton. I enjoy its convenience and the beauties it offers!
Molly Wick
Margaret Davidson Fellow, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve
What are you studying?
I am a PhD student in water resource science at University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
I am studying cultural ecosystem services (the intangible ways people benefit from nature) in the communities around the St. Louis River estuary in Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota. In a recent fellowship training, I learned facilitation skills that I am using to coordinate advisory groups for the research.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
I grew up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin so Point Beach State Park, and especially the trail along Molash Creek to the lakeshore, will always be one of my favorite places.
Taylor Wild
Outreach Student Assistant
What are you studying?
I am studying environmental studies and economics at UW–Madison.
Tell us about what you do and what you’ve learned.
In my role as a student assistant, I help with any projects that are supported by NRI or NRI employees. Recently, I have been supporting the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program by assembling curriculum binders for the Volunteer Training courses taking place this year. I am looking forward to working on more projects to expand my knowledge and contribute to impactful efforts across the state.
Favorite wild place in Wisconsin?
When I was young my favorite place to visit was my cabin in Minocqua, and it continues to hold a special place in my heart. The Wisconsin Northwoods made me find my love for the outdoors as the landscape is beautiful and there are animals to see that are active throughout all seasons.
