The Department of Environmental Studies 2000/1999 Lattner Interns

Adolfo Fernandez - My experience with The Nature Conservancy has had a terrific impact on my life. Over the course of the summer I had the opportunity to participate in several projects related to natural land management working with TNC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I also conducted scientific research in pristine ecosystems found only in the Florida Keys. I worked extensively in the endemic pine rocklands, habitat of the endangered key deer, doing research to determine optimal conditions for prescribed fires and optimal key deer habitat. I performed hydrological monitoring of rare coastal communities undergoing restoration and surveyed a very rare species of cactus found only in a few of the Florida Keys. Another component of my work dealt with systematic control of invasive exotic plant species which are threatening many endangered ecosystems throughout the Keys. An independent project is recommended, I chose to do a vegetation survey of an isolated tract of land consisting of mangroves, rock barren/salt marsh and coastal hammock communities. In addition to the hard rewarding work, I was also fortunate enough to enjoy excursions on the "Oak Leaf", the Nature Conservancy's new research vessel. My internship with TNC was an unforgettable experience, and the friends and memories I made will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Anna Barrios - My experience with the Lattner Fellowship was a fantastic one. My position with the Nature Conservancy was challenging and educational. I was given the opportunity to work with Jody Thomas in the Key West Office dealing with water quality issues on and local and national scale. On the local level my two main projects were to research all the possible wastewater technologies that would be compatible with the Florida Keys, and then to seek out all available funding opportunities to implement these technologies. Through these two projects I worked hands on with other nonprofit organizations, local, state and federal governmental agencies and local citizens. Through this internship I also became involved in the Nature Conservancy's national lobbying Champaign for the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Jody and I flew up to our nation's capital to work on the coastal and marine portion of the reauthorization. While in Washington I assisted Jody as she testified before a congressional subcommittee (we had a prop demonstrating the passage of wastewater through the porous limestone rock that makes up the Florida Keys). I also worked with her developing lobbying strategies and many other tasks related to government relations. Through this internship I worked with both the small town government of the Florida Keys all the way up to the Federal level of the policy process. I also gained a greater appreciation of the inner working of a nonprofit at the local level versus the national level. In addition to these phenomenal experiences, I made a number of contacts while in the Washington DC areas that led to my current full time position as Federal Policy Coordinator with American Farmland Trust.

Paul Granville - My experience with the Lattner Fellowship was personally and professionally rewarding. The fellowship afforded me the time to refine and conduct my research. It also allowed me to learn about the logistical requirements of several agencies. (TNC) was extremely helpful to me by providing feedback and expertise on my project and several related areas. I am forever indebted to the U.S.F.W.S. Key Deer Refuge (KDR) for providing me with a research area, the opportunity to study and collect seeds, equipment and personnel as well as housing for the duration. The KDR also provided an area for the construction of a 25 x 50 foot shadehouse and paid for all materials. In addition TNC and the KDR have allowed me to study and work in an endangered habitat. Without this support I would not have been able to conduct my studies. I thank bothof these agencies and Florida International University for their financial support. I look forward to many years of mutually beneficial research and projects with all of these organizations. It has been a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it.

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