When I stop to think about how much I have seen and done in my first month as an SCA intern in Anchorage, Alaska, it leaves me astounded...and exhausted!

In the last 4 weeks I have:

Canoed down the Chena Slough in Fairbanks to collect water quality and aquatic invasive samples

Restored 160 ft of shoreline on Montana Creek in the Susitna Valley

Seen black bears, brown bears, bald eagles, sand hill cranes, and more moose than I can count!

Removed European Bird Cherry along Chester Creek in Anchorage

Captured and Tagged Coho Salmon in the Susitna River

Fallen into an overflowing glacial river during an early morning bird survey

Attended meetings with the Alaska Energy Association about the controversial Su-Watana Dam project 

Been to Denali National Park on a clear and sunny day, perfect conditions to view the U.S.'s tallest mountain

NOT ONCE seen a dark sky : )

Alright, I will stop making you all jealous now.

In all seriousness, the last month has tested my college experience as an Environmental Studies major to the extreme, and I am happy to say that I'm passing (so far!). The first big project of my internship is set to launch in September, just a few months away! I am planning an outreach event for 5 Anchorage elementary schools which we are calling "Creeks and Critters". This event is geared towards getting the most disadvantaged youth in town (all title 1 schools) out for an afternoon of fun and learning at a creek-side location near their school. My hope is that by teaching the kiddos about their local environment, they will have a greater sense of environmental stewardship for it and also be more likely to explore the creek again with their friends and family. 

Stay tuned for more information and updates about my Alaska experience! There will be much more to come as I (with the help of my adventurous friends and colleagues) continue life in the last frontier! 

Until then, 

Dani