Launched in 2023, the Monarch Internship Program is a hands-on conservation experience like no other. Through a collaboration between Environment for the Americas (EFTA), the U.S. Forest Service, and the Department of War (previously Department of Defense), this program gives interns including veterans, military spouses, and dependents the opportunity to work directly in monarch butterfly conservation while gaining valuable skills in natural resource management.
In just a few short years, our interns have made a real impact by monitoring monarch populations and habitats across 30 military installations in 10 states, including sites across Texas, Colorado, and California, while also leading outreach at local schools. Interns track milkweed, document nectar availability, tag monarchs, and test for OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) to better understand butterfly health and migration patterns. Through partnerships with organizations like the Monarch Joint Venture and the Xerces Society, their work contributes to a growing, nationwide effort to protect monarchs and the habitats they depend on.
Now in its third year, the program continues to grow, combining meaningful fieldwork with creativity and education to connect communities, inspire students, and protect monarchs along their migratory route.
By joining this internship, participants gain more than hands-on experience— they play a vital role in protecting one of North America’s most iconic pollinators and help ensure that military lands remain thriving monarch habitats for generations to come.
Olivia is a third-year intern, bringing valuable field and data expertise to the team. Hailing from New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Olivia is a dedicated student and military spouse with a passion for conservation and environmental science. She earned associate degrees in Meteorology and Natural Sciences in 2024 and is pursuing a bachelor’s in Environmental Science at McMurry University. With her meteorology background, she is especially interested in how weather shapes the environment and wildlife. Conservation is both a calling and a way to serve her community, and she finds joy in learning about and protecting the natural world. Olivia enjoys hiking with her dog, fishing, and camping. |
Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX
Rovina is a second-year intern with EFTA. She holds degrees in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) as well as Marine Biology from Visayas State University in the Philippines. Her conservation career spans coastal resource management, ecological assessments, and community engagement with NGOs and research centers. A wildlife photography enthusiast, she created and sold her first bird book. After moving to the U.S. in 2021, Rovina completed two AmeriCorps terms, focusing on disaster preparedness education. She joined this internship to further her commitment to wildlife conservation, community development, and leadership, blending her skills and passions for meaningful impact. |
Fort Hood, Killeen, TX
Jelena earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from The Evergreen State College, with a focus on ecological systems and environmental health. She is interested in biological monitoring, field-based learning, and environmental assessment, and is especially drawn to the Monarch Program for its hands-on pollinator conservation work. The opportunity to do fieldwork on military lands aligns with her professional goals and offers valuable experience working alongside biologists and multidisciplinary teams. As a first-generation Mexican American, she also has a personal cultural connection to monarch butterflies, which makes this opportunity especially meaningful and reinforces her commitment to conservation.
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Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
Mckayla is an active duty Marine pursuing an Associate of Science degree at Louisiana State University Alexandria while balancing online coursework with military duties and deployments. She is currently interning with EFTA through the SkillBridge program, gaining civilian conservation experience before transitioning out of the military. Drawn to the Monarch Internship Program for its emphasis on field research and conservation science, Mckayla plans to continue her education in Ecological Conservation and Wildlife Management. Growing up in southern Louisiana and witnessing habitat loss and coastal erosion firsthand inspired her passion for wildlife rehabilitation, habitat restoration, and ecosystem conservation.
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Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
Molli is a recent graduate from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Conservation Biology and Ecology, and this is her first year with EFTA. She is particularly interested in ecological relationships, wetland environments, migratory birds, field work and research. Born and raised in Montana, the drive to protect natural spaces and native species began early while living in mountain meadows listening to birds, exploring backcountry lakes, or simply observing wildlife wherever she went. Now, as a military spouse with two children, she strives to bring curiosity and wonder of the natural world into her family as she pursues a career in ecology, bird conservation, and eventually a graduate degree in a similar field. |
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Jordan is a Marine Corps veteran now continuing his service as EFTA’s Western Monarch Fellow. Jordan has dedicated his post-military life to exploring the intersections of the natural world and the arts. He holds an M.F.A. from Iowa State University’s Creative Writing & Environment program and a B.F.A. from Prescott College,. In 2024, Jordan served as an EFTA intern, monitoring monarchs across TX, OK, and CA. This experience solidified his commitment to conservation work and provided a strong foundation for his leadership role that started in 2025. He leads efforts at Vandenberg Space Force Base, supporting research and engagement to protect monarch habitat along the West Coast. |
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, CA
Brian is a senior at he University of Texas at San Antonio,where he is an Environmental Science major specializing in Natural Resources and Wildlife Management. A lifelong lover of nature, Brian is passionate about conservation and sustainability, and is especially drawn to the study of migratory species. Through this internship, he gained hands-on experience in habitat preservation and data collection, contributing meaningful research to local conservation efforts. Brian’s career goals include working in conservation biology, habitat restoration, and wildlife management with government agencies or nonprofits. Outside of school, he enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and volunteering with environmental organizations. |
Joint Base San Antonio – Camp Bullis, San Antonio, TX
Dylan is a recent UTSA graduate with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Biology. He will begin his M.S. in Environmental Science this fall. Dylan brings experience in plant identification, herbarium collection (including milkweed species), and insect handling from field-based coursework. Growing up as a military dependent, he was especially drawn to this program’s blend of pollinator conservation and support for military installations. This internship influenced him to continue specializing in Texas native species. |
Joint Base San Antonio – Camp Bullis, San Antonio, TX
Rovina recently earned a degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), following a Bachelor's in Marine Biology from Visayas State University, Philippines. Her conservation career spans coastal resource management, ecological assessments, and community engagement with NGOs and research centers. A wildlife photography enthusiast, she created and sold her first bird book. After moving to the U.S. in 2021, Rovina completed two AmeriCorps terms, focusing on disaster preparedness education. She joined this internship to further her commitment to wildlife conservation, community development, and leadership, blending her skills and passions for meaningful impact. |
Fort Hood, Killeen, TX
Vanessa is a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Throughout her studies, she gained valuable hands-on experience in various research settings, which sparked her passion for environmental and animal science. These experiences highlighted her love for investigative research, problem-solving, and the balance between teamwork and independent work, confirming her desire to pursue a research-driven career. Through this program, Vanessa appreciated contributing to impactful research, learning from experienced mentors, and continuing her growth as a scientist. |
Fort Hood, Killeen, TX
Hailing from New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Olivia is a dedicated student and military spouse with a passion for conservation and environmental science. She earned associate degrees in Meteorology and Natural Sciences in 2024 and is pursuing a bachelor’s in Environmental Science at McMurry University. A returning 2024 intern, Olivia brought experience and enthusiasm to her second season with EFTA. With her meteorology background, she is especially interested in how weather shapes the environment and wildlife. Conservation is both a calling and a way to serve her community, and she finds joy in learning about and protecting the natural world. Olivia enjoys hiking with her dog, fishing, and camping. |
Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX
Matthias is an active-duty Airman currently pursuing an associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. Looking ahead, he plans to complete a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Conservation and build a career focused on environmental policy and advocacy. Driven by a deep connection to the natural areas of his home state of Pennsylvania, Matthias is passionate about protecting natural landscapes. Through his internship with EFTA, he gained hands-on field experience that will support his transition into civilian life. After his military career, he aspires to engage in local politics and ultimately represent his community at the state or national level to work toward meaningful environmental reform. |
Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX
Clara recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability from Colorado State University, and she has started an Accelerated Master's Program at the same school specializing in Carbon Management. Her passion for the environment drives her career goal of mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development, with a focus on greenhouse gas management and climate justice. Clara aims to work with sustainability-focused organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund or Woodwell Climate Research Center. |
Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, CO
Angie earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Natural Resource and Wildlife Management from Colorado State University–Pueblo. She has a strong interest in insects, plants, mycology, and long-term ecological monitoring to better understand species populations and habitat needs. She brought extensive field experience, including two seasons with the U.S. Forest Service, conducting Northern Goshawk surveys, monitoring rare alpine plants, and supporting bighorn sheep habitat restoration. A U.S. Army veteran, Angie served at Fort Carson, the site of her internship, where she applied her scientific training in a place of personal significance. Passionate about biodiversity, she is committed to a career in plant and insect conservation. |
Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, CO
Kelly is an environmental enthusiast and proud military spouse with a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of West Alabama. A native of San Diego, she worked at the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park and enjoys open-ocean swimming, long-distance hiking, and dispersed camping in nature-rich areas. Kelly is excited to intern with us at Camp Pendleton, where she enjoys applying her background in conservation biology and expanding her skills in field research, species monitoring, and GIS mapping. She is especially passionate about wildlife conservation, invasive species management, and environmental education, and sees this internship as a critical step toward a long-term career in ecological stewardship. |
Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
Thomas is a student at San Diego Miramar College with plans to complete a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology or Zoology. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he spent his final four years of service stationed at Camp Pendleton, where he began his journey into wildlife conservation through this internship. Inspired by his deployments and experiences with unique ecosystems in California and abroad, Thomas developed a deep appreciation for biodiversity and the urgency of conservation efforts. His goal is to become a wildlife biologist, and through this internship, he gained hands-on experience, sharpened his science communication skills, and contributed to the protection of monarch butterflies and their habitat for future generations of fellow service members and their families. |
Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
Gaby recently earned her B.S. in Biology from CSU Channel Islands, where she explored her passion for ecosystems and wildlife through courses in ecology, ornithology, ichthyology, plant biology, and field research on Santa Rosa Island. Her early fascination with nature documentaries evolved into a focused interest in conservation and restoration, with the goal of protecting and reviving threatened species and habitats. Inspired by a workshop on overwintering monarchs in San Luis Obispo, Gaby joined the EFTA team to work with monarchs during the breeding season. The internship allowed her to gain hands-on field experience, strengthen her conservation skills, and grow as a science communicator. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in conservation and continue research that drives real-world impact. |
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, CA
Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Jordan Castinado is a Marine Corps veteran now continuing his service as EFTA’s Western Monarch Fellow. Jordan has dedicated his post-military life to exploring the intersections of the natural world and the arts. He holds an M.F.A. from Iowa State University’s Creative Writing & Environment program and a B.F.A. from Prescott College,. In 2024, Jordan served as an EFTA intern, monitoring monarchs across Texas, Oklahoma, and California. This hands-on experience solidified his commitment to conservation work and provided a strong foundation for his new leadership role in 2025. As a Western Monarch Fellow, he will lead efforts at Vandenberg Space Force Base, supporting research and engagement to protect monarch habitat along the West Coast. |
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, CA
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