Where are they now? Five intern alums describe how NAC helped shape their career journey.

Hear from five former interns about their experience at the NAC and the skills they acquired during their internship to set them up for success.

James Hardat was an intern in 2021 & 2022. Currently he is the Lead Biological Science Technician for National Parks Service, Department of Interior. His main focus is on threatened and endangered species of fauna and flora. Mostly, monitoring Piping Plovers and Seabeach Amaranth.

Looking back, my experience with the Natural Areas Conservancy played a major role in shaping both my professional development and my confidence as an environmental scientist. Before working with NAC, I already had a strong interest in ecology and conservation, but the experience helped turn those interests into practical field skills and a clearer understanding of how environmental science is applied in real world management.

Leslie Garcia was an intern in 2022 and 2023. Currently she is the Trail Stewardship Manager for Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, leading a team of four in maintenance and conservation practices throughout the park.

NAC has prepared me with a stable foundation. Learning how to network and connect resources to do collaboration on projects. Using the same teams and positions I have hosted events and projects with.

Jisun Reiner was an intern in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Currently they are the Coastal Ecology Research Assistant at the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, where they largely focus on studying our salt marsh and dune ecosystems.

I gained a wealth of environmental knowledge and skills that I still use today (GIS, vegetation ID, conducting research, and working at a nonprofit). I especially appreciated being in a cohort setting and meeting so many people in the environmental world because I was exposed to the realities of having a job in natural resources science.

Lisa Bloodgood was an intern in 2016. They are now the Director of Horticulture & Stewardship at the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, where they focus on ecological gardening, long‑term care of public landscapes, and building community stewardship.

NAC helped me see and eventually understand something essential: not just what we were doing, but how we worked together was the kind of work I wanted to devote my life to. Since leaving, my path has been about deepening that commitment: teaching students, studying the landscapes I move through, and supporting my own community in understanding and advocating for its environmental and ecological health.

Caitlin Lynch was an intern in 2022 and 2023. She is currently Monitoring and Assessment Crew Leader with NYC Parks Natural Resources Group. 

My experiences with NAC helped me immensely to build the skills and relationships that enabled me to develop those further and quality for positions like working with SRIJB, knowledge of wetland ecology that helped develop my thesis. I was able to build off of those experiences and gain greater leadership and project organization skills which ultimately helped me get the role I have today.

The Urban NEST internship is made possible through the generous support of the Leon Levy Foundation.