Meet INHF's 2026 Summer Interns

Austin Mills

Hometown: Norwalk

Favorite native plant: Wood duck

University: Central College

Major(s): Environmental Studies

“I am most looking forward to getting to work in difference places across the state.”

Addison Landmesser

Hometown: Huxley

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Yarrow

University: Drake University

Major(s): Environmental Science

Minor(s): Music

“I am most excited to be outdoors making a difference to improve the health of Iowa’s native ecological landscape. I can’t wait to get out into the field and work with other like-minded, passionate people to restore native wetlands, prairie, and savanna.”

Samantha Gumpper

Hometown: Iowa City

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Eastern red columbine and North American river otter

University: Iowa State University

Major(s): Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and Ecology

Minor(s): Forestry

“I am most looking forward to seeing all the INHF properties and making a difference in improving the land for future generations.”

Hannah Higgins

Hometown: Macomb, IL

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Pale purple coneflower and Eastern chipmunk 

University: Central College

Major(s): Biology and Environmental Science

“I am looking forward to learning a lot of new tool and plant ID skills and exploring cool properties all over Iowa with the crew.” 

Keelan Hunter

Hometown: Earlham

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Tiger salamanders 

University: University of Northern Iowa

Major(s): Environmental Resource Management

“I am looking forward to getting a better understanding of the plants and animals throughout Iowa. As well I look forward to working as a large group and helping return the ecosystem to what it once was.”

Mia Doty

Hometown: Peoria, IL

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Rough blazing star or timber rattlesnake

University: Iowa State University

Major(s): Biology and Environmental Science

“I’m looking forward to experiencing different parts of Iowa I’ve never seen before while helping to preserve the land. I’m also excited to enhance my plant ID skills!”

Ava Rossow

Hometown: Des Moines

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Wild bergamot and Whooping Crane

University: Iowa State University

Major(s): Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and Ecology

“I’m so excited to continue growing in my relationship with the Earth and to form meaningful connections with my workmates and land owners!”

Whitney Bailey

Hometown: Peoria, IL

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Red Columbine

University: Upper Iowa University

Major(s): Conservation Management

Minor(s): Environmental Science

“I’m most excited about meeting new people and learning new plant identification and plant uses.”

Trinity Schwickerath

Hometown: New Hampton

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Ring-necked pheasant

University: Hawkeye Community College

Major(s): Natural Resources

“I’m looking forward to learning more about land restoration and running a chainsaw.”

Marcus Evans

Hometown: Elkader

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: River otter

University: Upper Iowa University

Major(s): Conservation Management

Minor(s): Biology

“Looking forward to putting work towards something I believe in and feeling like I will have a lasting impact on wildlife as a whole.”

Cale Knight

Hometown: Cresco

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Ruffed Grouse

University: Upper Iowa University

Major(s): Conservation Management

“I am most excited about getting to experience amazing Iowa properties, and how a land steward goes about managing those properties.”

Casey Herek

Hometown: Houston, MN

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Mayapples

University: Luther College

Major(s): Environmental Science

“Once I’ve got all my nature identification down, I can’t wait to learn how to determine a forest/prairie’s health.”

Kail Schmelzer

Hometown: Cresco

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: American badger

University: Hawkeye Community College

Major(s): Natural Resources Management

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the other interns and learning new plants and animals as we are out in the field.” 

Caden Dorrance

Hometown: Cedar Rapids

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Belted Kingfisher and Mayapples

University: University of Iowa

Major(s): Environmental Science 

Minor(s): Certificate in Sustainability & Museum Studies

“I am most looking forward to seeing and learning more about Iowa’s native plants and animals. I love hiking and learning more about Iowa in hands on ways that allows for me to have meaningful memories and retain information that I can share with others to help encourage more exploration of Iowa’s natural beauty.”

Karis Patton

Hometown: North Libery

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Shooting star

University: University of Iowa

Major(s): Environmental Science

“I am most excited to become more confident with Iowa plant identification and spend my time doing physical work outside. I am also eager to build confidence working with power tools. Just after one week with my crew, I have already learned so much from both my crew leaders and my crew mates, which has me looking forward to what more there is to learn throughout this internship.”

Kya Farag

Hometown: Nampa, ID

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Western hognose snake

University: Cornell College

Major(s): Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Minor(s): Environmental Science and Spanish

“I am most excited to learn land management methods and reasoning and actively use them.”

Gage Perrin

Hometown: Sioux City

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Prairie Rose

University: Western Iowa Tech

Major(s): Environmental Science/Biology

“I’m most looking forward to learning more about restoration ecology and seeing all the cool native plants.”

Breanna Holt

Hometown: Cedar Rapids

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Compass Plant

University: Kirkwood Community College

Major(s): Natural Resources

“The thing I am looking forward to the most about my internship is seeing the different types of prairies throughout the Loess Hills. While gaining knowledge and experience in restoration techniques, prescribe burning, and tree felling.”

Landyn Buster

Hometown: Grimes

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Bald Eagle

University: Upper Iowa University

Major(s): Conservation Management

“Looking forward to spending the summer outdoors, learning new skills, and getting better at identifying plants and animals.”

Kasey Kapler

Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Goldenrod and bobcat

University: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Major(s): Environmental Studies, Biology

Minor(s): Music Industry

“I’m most looking forward to being out in the field and experiencing the landscape, and seeing how it changes as we work over the summer.”

Sydney Parker |  Communications Intern

Hometown: Des Moines

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Bobcat

University:University of Iowa

Major(s): Journalism, Political Science

Minor(s): African American Studies

“I am so excited to improve my written communications skills, further INHF’s mission, and learn new things about the people and places I share a state with.”

Tiara Young  |  Graphic Design Intern

Hometown: Des Moines

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: River otter

University: Iowa State University

Major(s): Graphic Design

Minor(s): Illustration

“I am very excited to design for an impact and to contribute to such an important organization. I also am looking forward to getting outdoors and expanding my wildlife knowledge.”

Alayna Cather  |  Conservation Programs Intern

Hometown: Stuart

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Wild columbine

University: University of South Dakota

Major(s): Conservation Biology

Minor(s): Nonprofit Studies

“I’m most excited to grow and learn through my work with INHF’s amazing grant team. I can’t wait to see what kinds of positive impacts we make over the course of this summer!”

Maddie Castings  |  Legal Intern

Hometown: Cedar Falls

Favorite Iowa plant/animal: Indigo Bunting

University: Drake University Law School

“I am excited to gain hands-on legal experience with the hope of making a difference in rural communities for the betterment of the environment!”