Ashlyn Wray: Preservation and Education – Distinct Yet Inseparable

Nine months ago, I sat in one of my advisor’s offices at a total loss for how I would make the most of my first summer as an NC State student. I found that my interests were pulling me in every direction. Whether it was atmospheric science, environmental monitoring, wildlife research, or seemingly anything else; I just could not decide what I wanted to do. These competing interests have been difficult for me to handle, as I want to be able to try everything. However, time is unfortunately limited and must be spent wisely. When I shared my indecisiveness with my advisor, they suggested a simple idea to allow me to explore several surface-level aspects of environmental sciences through one internship. Thanks to this advice, I secured a position with Hanging Rock State Park where I worked with park rangers, educators, and ecology specialists with extensive knowledge of our natural environment. Though this kind of internship was not in my initial plan when I stepped into that advising meeting that day, I have found that letting go of my plan allowed me to embrace a valuable opportunity. 

Many months after that meeting, I began my internship at the beautiful Hanging Rock State Park. This park, with its scenic views and breathtaking waterfalls, has allowed me to lean into my passion for environmental science. The mission of our park is to promote conservation, education, and recreation so that every visitor leaves the park with even a little bit more love for nature than they came with. Initially, I felt unsure of how I would make a meaningful contribution to this mission with so little experience. However, this uncertainty quickly dissolved due to the guidance from my coworkers and the valuable opportunities they gave me. One of my primary responsibilities was conceptualizing, designing, and presenting environmental education programs. Through these programs that focused on everything from box turtle preservation to local snake species, I became part of the effort to reinforce our conservation efforts. The core mission of each of my programs was to get people excited about conservation and to build a passion for protecting nature in every person I talked with. There is so much natural life that fades into the background of our everyday routines, and my job was to bring people back to appreciating and protecting nature.

Out of all my responsibilities at the park, I always found myself most excited to work with the flora and fauna that call our park home. My passion has always been science, but ecological science has recently become my foremost interest. Each day at my internship I was able to slow down and notice how our local biodiversity comes together to create a cohesive whole. As the park’s intern, I analyzed some of our species more closely through the Box Turtle Connection program and timber rattlesnake monitoring. Though it is unusual to look for turtles on the job, the Box Turtle Connection research I participated in is crucial for monitoring turtle populations for any concerning changes. I was introduced to wildlife research as I learned the process for capturing, marking, and recording data about each turtle found. Timber rattlesnakes were monitored similarly, and though I was less involved with this research I was still able to learn valuable information about how different species are handled to ensure their populations remain stable. I realized that action for threatened species is often taken too late, and that research like what is being done at Hanging Rock is necessary for the early detection of issues that can make or break not only one species but the balance of their ecosystem.

I loved being able to work with wildlife and in nature every time I went to work. However, as the summer went on, I found that some of the problems I noticed in the park became discouraging over time. A large part of my job was helping to maintain trails, and I found that every day they were littered with new trash that hikers had thrown out. It seemed as if people did not care about the impact of their actions on wildlife, and this was difficult for me to stay positive about. I have always believed that our environment and its species are invaluable, but this sentiment is not always shared. As discouraging as this could be, I think it only made me feel more empowered with my work. Education and preservation go hand in hand, and not everyone knows how much their impact matters. This is a large reason our park focuses so strongly on education, and I was lucky to join them in their mission through my work.

Though my internship had its ups and downs, I could not be happier with how I spent my summer. I’ve gained a better grasp of how we can nurture our environment, as well as the imperative role that education plays in our mission. With the help of supportive coworkers, advisors, and the occasional box turtle, I gained experience with research, teaching, program design, and more. More importantly than anything, I made connections with people who shared my love for nature and were enthusiastic about educating people on how we can preserve the species that live alongside us. As I observed the different career paths within environmental science, I realized that I am still unsure of the path my future will follow. However, I know that my dreams will only be fulfilled by a career that conserves the ecology I have come to value so much. Going forward, I will follow my passions for environmental and wildlife preservation which only became more pronounced this summer. This experience has shown me that even when you are uncertain and feel your interests are pulling you in different directions, it is always possible to find a way forward.