 |
 |
|
|
[From Summer 1999]
With the winter chill almost gone, spring migrants begin to return each year to the refuge. Along with this seasonal influx of birds comes the addition of many new faces to the refuge staff. Michael Collins, a Chincoteague High School student, began work as an intern on February 2. As part of his duties, Michael has assisted each of the divisions with a wide variety of activities from preparing for refuge events to the busy piping plover season. Michael will continue to help out at the refuge until the school year ends in June.
Fall biology intern, Dana Dukes, was hired as a seasonal Biological Technician in February to assist the biology division with the predator control program and to take part in piping plover management activities. The first summer biology intern arrived on the refuge April 12 when Brian Petrine arrived from across the Chesapeake Bay. Ashley Black, Sara Keisler & Will Pettitt began on May 17. These folks will assist the biology staff with plover monitoring, predator control, waterfowl surveys, and many other routine duties until the end of the summer season.
Public Use staff have benefitted from the assistance of interns, as well. Spring environmental education interns Laurel Faith and Aaron Haines began working on March 1 and March 16, respectively. Aaron came to Chincoteague after completing an internship with Eastern Shore of VA National Wildlife Refuge. Laurel is a Delmarva native, traveling to the refuge from Greenbackville, VA. Both Interns have assisted Outdoor Recreation Planner Ray Paterra with activities for school groups throughout the spring months. After their 12-week positions end, Laurel will continue as a summer interpretive intern and Aaron will transfer to the biology division as part of the plover crew.
After a week long spring training session, visitor center volunteer Eleanor Harkins decided to try out a new line of duty by accepting the position of spring interpretive intern on March 29. Eleanor, who relocated to the Eastern Shore from Pennsylvania, has helped O.R.P. Jill Van Scoyoc with providing
visitor services and programs. In June, Eleanor will return to volunteering at the visitor center.
Allison McGuire, summer intern, arrived on June 6.
Karen Pacheco, Refuge Operations Specialist
Home / About the Association / Membership Information / The Piping
Plover
Mail Order / Index
/ Web Port / Search