Meet Blake, one of our interns here at Quinta Mazatlan this summer! Blake has been conducting standardized butterfly surveys in the park, which is helping us document the species present, where in the park they tend to occur, and ultimately allow us to better understand the butterfly community in our urban forest and gardens. He has also been an assistant naturalist during Flashlight Nights and has been making bioblitz observations at our Tiny Forests. We asked Blake, an environmental science student, to tell us about his experience this summer.
Q1. Do you feel like you've been able to gain knowledge and experience as part of your internship? If so, what's something you've gained?
I feel as though I have gained immense amounts of knowledge and experience, such as identification of both plants and animals in the RGV and beyond, proper techniques for gardening and habitat maintenance, improved photOGraphy using a professional camera, and sharpened my data collection/evaluation skills.
Q2. Have you enjoyed the internship so far this summer? Any particular project or experience?
I have enjoyed my internship here at Quinta very much. I was pleased to find out that I would have the balance of working both outside as well as in the office, with a diverse set of tasks. The butterfly survey project that I have been working on has been very enjoyable, and a phenomenal learning experience.
Q3. Do you feel like this internship has helped prepare you for your future?
My internship here at Quinta Mazatlan has certainly prepared me for my future. I am confident that the interdisciplinary skills that I have learned will benefit me throughout the rest of my career, and the rest of my life.
Note: All the wildlife photos in this post are part of Blake's butterfly and bioblitz surveys.
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