The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Diversity in Conservation Internship Program provides meaningful, paid experiences for undergraduates interested in careers in natural resource conservation. The goals of this cohort-based program are to introduce students to the field of conservation and its career pathways, and to help strengthen the knowledge and skills of program participants to meet the need for diverse professionals in Wisconsin’s conservation field.
This year we are hosting ten interns, who are paired with Wisconsin conservation organizations for internship experiences. Additionally, interns receive weekly programming and attend field trips to connect them to Wisconsin’s natural resources and future career opportunities in conservation.
Let’s meet the 2025 Diversity in Conservation Internship cohort!
Blakely Daigneault (they/them) is going into their fourth year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying environmental science. Born in China and raised in Massachusetts, they went on many hiking and skiing vacations while growing up. They love animals, being active outside, reading, and teaching their cat tricks. They are excited to work with the City of Madison and learn about native plants of Wisconsin and how to use power tools.
Juanita Duarte (she/her) is a University of Wisconsin-Madison student entering her junior year. She’s studying environmental science and clarinet performance. Growing up in Sun Prairie, she’s always been a very active member of the Madison community, especially in music, and has enjoyed exploring its natural environment. She finds the ways science interacts with the arts to be very fulfilling. Juanita spends her free time reading, biking, and spending time with her friends. She is really passionate about local and community conservation efforts. Juanita is ecstatic to be spending her summer working at the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.
Annie Ellsworth (she/her) will be a senior this fall, studying conservation biology and global health at UW-Madison. Annie is from Hartland, Wisconsin, and has grown up loving Wisconsin’s outdoors. Annie loves to backpack, camp, hike, read, bake, try new food, and spend time with her dog. Additionally, she loves to learn languages and travel and is a part of the Wisconsin International Scholars program on UW’s campus, which allows her to travel abroad and study new languages, as well as learn about different cultures and global issues. Annie is super excited to meet everyone this summer and can’t wait to start her internship with the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory.
Noelle Glazewski (she/her) is a junior at UW-Milwaukee studying environmental science with minors in biology, freshwater science, and german. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she’s excited to pursue environmental opportunities to support nature in-state. She enjoys homebody activities like crocheting, reading, and rogue-like video games, but will never turn down an invitation to go bowling or visit a museum. This is her second year mentoring her high school’s robotics team. Noelle is excited to participate in the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory’s biochar program as she helps the organization with their research and conservation efforts. She’s looking forward most to gaining insight into fieldwork and taking theory from the classroom into real life.
Maryam Islam (she/her) is a sophomore at UW-Madison double majoring in environmental science and conservation biology. She was born and raised in Chicago, but grew up visiting Madison and her family’s cabin in Southern Wisconsin. In her free time, she loves camping and hiking, reading, and baking. One of her favorite experiences was a three week road trip from the Badlands of South Dakota, through Yellowstone, to camping in the Grand Tetons, Wyoming. Maryam is looking forward to expanding her knowledge regarding plants and horticulture through her position at the UW-Madison Arboretum.
Kayla Peirick (they/she) is going into their senior year at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a freshwater science major, minoring in women and gender studies. They grew up in Ashippun, Wisconsin. Kayla is interested in the ecology of water environments and conservation. They are working on a research project studying diatoms in the Milwaukee Harbor. Outside of school, you can find Kayla knitting or spending time outside. They like roller skating, biking, camping, and swimming in Lake Michigan. Kayla will be the Land Steward Intern at Wehr Nature Center this summer.
Brie Schneider (she/her) is going into her senior year at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Brie is studying biological sciences with a focus in ecology, evolution, and behavior. She was born in Milwaukee and raised in a rural town near Lake Winnebago. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking/baking, listening to music, and spending time exploring the outdoors. This summer, Brie is excited to connect and collaborate with fellow interns and conservation professionals. She looks forward to applying what she’s learned in the classroom to real-world experiences and contributing to meaningful projects at The Nature Conservancy.
Eli Wunderlich (he/him, they/them) is an incoming senior at Lawrence University studying music (voice emphasis) with minors in environmental studies, french and dance. On campus, he participates in Lawrence’s Mock Trial Club, Queer Alliance, Disability Working Group and several musical groups including choir, competition acapella and his band The Third Person. He is a two-sport NCAA athlete and a staff writer at The Lawrentian. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he found a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation and ecology, leading him to dream of an environmental law career. Eli is very excited to see the day-to-day operations of a non-profit and do conservation fieldwork with the International Crane Foundation this summer as their Crane Conservation Intern.
Bryan Haddad Zamorano (he/him), an upcoming junior at Lawrence University, is currently majoring in environmental science focusing on geosciences and minoring in music. Additionally, Bryan is the Co-Founder and Co-President of Aspelia — Lawrence University’s Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Culture club, and proud springboard diver for the LU Swim and Dive team. Hailing from Houston, Texas, the exposure to hyper urbanization and the natural world has shaped his environmental pursuits. Bryan further seeks to understand the impacts between the interactions of people, urbanism, public education and the global spheres in which they intertwiningly exist within. He is excited to explore different perspectives of environmentally focused work while interning with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. In his free time Bryan enjoys reading historical fiction and being with friends.
Andie Zei (they/them) will graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee this December with a B.A. in conservation and environmental sciences. Andie has called Milwaukee home since they first attended UWM in 2016. They hope to start a career focused on environmental stewardship and education in their community. Working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources this summer, Andie is most excited about the variety of opportunities the DNR has to offer in their Milwaukee parks. Getting experiences with land conservation projects, small animal care, and community events are what excite Andie the most about their internship. In their free time, you might find Andie enjoying Milwaukee parks, playing games with friends, or watching a movie with their pets.
Partnerships
This is our fifth year of the Diversity in Conservation Internship Program, and we are incredibly grateful to our many partners, including our academic partners Lawrence University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Our host organizations include City of Madison, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, Lake Michigan Bird Observatory, University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, Wehr Nature Center, The Nature Conservancy, International Crane Foundation, Zoological Society of Milwaukee, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Donate
You can help provide a meaningful experience for future cohorts of interns in the Diversity in Conservation Internship Program by making a donation to the program online here. Thank you to the We Energies Foundation, the Schlecht Family Foundation, and NRF’s members for supporting this program.