Photo: Patrick Jones, Friends of the Shawnee National Forest Unexpected events happen often when working in the outdoors. Our team is pretty small, and we work well together. So, when our team got an email from a guy named Kyle, I was naturally surprised to read...
Photo: Jim Osborne I cannot even begin to explain everything I've learned during this internship, so I'll start with a few examples. The first thing I learned was how to use Microsoft Publisher. I was able to adapt extremely quickly through videos and other environmental educators...
Photo: USFS Burden Falls Wilderness Shawnee National Forest The Shawnee National Forest is located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois. It consists of about 280,000 acres of federally managed lands scattered from the Mississippi to the Ohio River. And is also the single largest publicly owned...
Sign Project on Microsoft Publisher My workweek begins on Saturday mornings. Saturday mornings are Recreation Runs (Rec runs). Rec runs are the routes we take to different campground, picnicking, or high use areas. I load up my work truck with supplies I’ll need and then I...
Hello Again! My name is Olivia Barragan Velasquez, I am originally from Washington State but I have been living in Illinois for about 5 years. Living here has given me the opportunity to explore different fields. I have recently been accepted as a Recreation and Public...
Hello Everyone, My name is Olivia Barragan Velasquez! I am a Visitor Services/Environmental Education intern at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Marion, IL. And I'm here to say farewell. Farewell In my last month working at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, I reflect on my experiences as...
Luna Moth Photo: Kayla V. Hello Everyone, My name is Olivia Barragan Velasquez! I am a Visitor Services/Environmental Education intern at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Marion, IL. These are my unexpected adventures! Working My days off consist of prepping for programs, volunteering, and hiking with new friends....
CONWR Archery ProgramPhoto: Monty Tyner Hello Everyone, My name is Olivia Barragan Velasquez! I am a Visitor Services/Environmental Education intern at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Marion, IL. Here are my new somethings: Wildland Firefighting I've been in Customer/Visitor Services for 10 years. I am good at my...
Photo: Monty Tyner Hello Everyone, My name is Olivia Barragan Velasquez! I am a Visitor Services/Environmental Education intern at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Marion, IL. Here is a day in my position: A Day In My Position I arrive at the Visitors Center at 7:00 am. I'm...
Photo: Jan Sundberg Hello Everyone, My name is Olivia Barragan Velasquez! I am a Visitor Services/Environmental Education intern at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Marion, IL. I am originally from Washington State but moved to Illinois about four years ago. I returned to college and received...