Meet INHF's 2021 Summer Interns

By CJ Younger, communications intern, cyounger@inhf.org on June 9, 2021 in Blog

Statewide Land Stewardship Interns

Meet our 2021 summer interns! With 17 interns out in the field and four in the office, INHF is pleased to introduce this group of young hands and voices making a difference this summer.

Sarah Finn

Hometown: Tampa, FL
Favorite native plant/animal: Mayapple
University: Morningside University
Major(s): Biology and Chemistry
"I'm super excited to do some meaningful hands-on work while I also learn to identify more of Iowa's native plant and animal species. I'm thrilled to explore Iowa and see lots of beautiful prairies and wetlands."

Veronica Henderson

Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Monarch butterfly
University: Grinnell College 
Major(s): Biology and Environmental Studies 
"I am excited to learn more about Iowa's native landscapes and how land stewardship can shape ecosystems. I'm also looking forward to identifying plants and animals all summer!" 

Sloan Hjortshoj

Hometown: Monroe, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Butterfly milkweed
University: University of Iowa
Major(s): Environmental Science
"I am excited to have a hands-on experience with various ecosystems in Iowa. I have always loved sustainability and conservation so I'm grateful to have the opportunity to focus on those things throughout the summer."

Dakota Jones

Hometown: Adel, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Black-eyed Susan
University: Graceland University 
Major(s): Sustainability and Economics 
"I'm excited to get experience working and learning in the field and to meet new people around the state who are passionate about conservation."

Zach Nie

Hometown: Jesup, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Chinkapin oak
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Forestry with minors in Agronomy and Animal Ecology
"I'm excited to learn more about Iowa's ecosystems and spend the summer with people who have a similar passion for the outdoors."

Carley Spading

Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Northern water snake
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Animal Ecology
"I'm excited to learn the true physical definition of natural resource management and gain more of an appreciation for Iowa's natural landscapes and habitats."

Eastern Iowa Land Stewardship Interns

Chelsea Cozad

Hometown: Monticello, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Monarch butterfly
University: University of Iowa
Major(s): Environmental Science with a Biology focus
"I'm excited to help improve Iowa's natural habitats and to learn about native plant identification."

Ben Hoffman

Hometown: Oelwein, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Blue flag iris
University: University of Iowa 
Major(s): Sustainability Science
"Growing up in the country, I did a lot of work outside. After moving to the city, I didn't get the chance to do it as much, especially because COVID hit soon after. It's nice to get outside and work all day, look back and see the difference we've made. It's a really rewarding experience. INHF does great things for Iowa's prairies."

Erin Hosto

Hometown: La Moille, IL
Favorite native plant/animal: Swamp thistle
University: Cornell College
Major(s): Biology and Environmental Studies 
"I'm looking forward to learning more about native Iowan prairies, being able to identify the native and invasive species and seeing all the beautiful restored prairies that we'll be working on."

Blufflands Stewardship Interns

Austin Knaack

Hometown: Grundy Center, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Eastern white pine
University: Central College
Major(s): Environmental Science
"I'm excited to explore Northeast Iowa and witness firsthand the conservation practices being used."

Katie Meyer

Hometown: Iowa Falls, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bur oak
University: Northwestern College
Major(s): Ecology
"I am excited to interact with nature."

Carter Sergeant

Hometown: LeClaire, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Red columbine 
University: Upper Iowa University 
Major(s): Conservation Management
"I am excited to work with the INHF because their mission is to protect and restore Iowa's land, water and wildlife, which is something I am very passionate about. It is very cool to be part of a team that understands the land and has a vision for what it should look like and how to it get there."

Nick Dufoe

Hometown: Adel, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Whitetail deer 
University: Luther College
Major(s): Environmental Studies
"I'm excited to help make a difference in the Driftless Area, in the place I attend school and love so much!"

Isak Werner Anderson

Hometown: Ames, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Swamp white oak
University: Luther College
Major(s): Environmental Policy and Economics
"I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible from knowledgeable coworkers."

Loess Hills Land Stewardship Interns

Leah Morrison

Hometown: Mason City, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Bottle gentian
University: Wartburg College
Major(s): Biology and Environmental Studies
"It's a job I know I'll enjoy every day. I want to create new friendships with people who have the same interests as I do!"

Nate Rothlisberger

Hometown: Fort Calhoun, NE 
Favorite native plant/animal: Goldenrod
University: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Major(s): Environmental Studies 
"I'm excited for the opportunity and new experiences!"

Hallie Uhlig

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO 
Favorite native plant/animal: Diamond flower
University: Central College 
Major(s): Environmental Science
"I'm excited to spend my summer outside learning more about Loess Hills."

Office Interns

Emma Stockman | Conservation Programs Intern

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Favorite native plant/animal: Great blue heron
University: Drake University
Major(s): Environmental Sustainability and Resilience with a minor in Business Studies
"I'm excited to help small communities improve their relationship with the environment through recreation projects and work towards a more equitable Iowa. It's also super amazing to learn about the environment from my coworkers; their passion for Iowa prairie systems is contagious and I'm eager to learn more!"

Thomas Kosacz | Trails Intern

Hometown: Palatine, IL
Favorite native plant/animal: Raccoon
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Environmental Science with a minor in GIS, working towards a Masters in Community and Regional Planning
"I’m looking forward to applying my years of GIS training and knowledge to help improve the GIS mapping system that supports INHF projects and trails."

Kayleen Mercer | Graphic Design Intern

Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Favorite native plant/animal: Black-eyed Susan
University: Iowa State University
Major(s): Graphic Design and Advertising
"I am excited to learn more about the environment in Iowa and share that through my designs."

CJ Younger | Communications Intern

Hometown: Shakopee, MN
Favorite native plant/animal: Black bear
University: Drake University
Major(s):  Multimedia Journalism
"I want to tell the story of Iowa's natural prairies and get my hands dirty!"