water

Insights from our Natural Resources/Education Intern

Prior to beginning my internship with the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District (CSWCD), I was a fly-fishing guide in northeastern Utah on the Green River. I referred to the river as “my office,” which had an ever-changing view of red rock canyons, crystal clear water and wildlife.

During my time on the Green River, a plan was proposed to develop a pipeline that would pump water from the headwaters of the river over the continental divide to the front range of Colorado. The proposed pipeline would have reduced the rivers flow and impacted its status as a blue ribbon fishery. I returned to school in the fall during the height of the protest against the pipeline with the protection of the Green River in the forefront of my mind. I decided that fall to switch majors from business to environmental policy.

After graduation, I worked two more seasons on the Green River and then decided to pursue my Masters of Environmental Studies from Cleveland State University. This decision brought me to the CSWCD and I began my internship in the fall of 2017.

My internship has provided me the opportunity to work with a variety of staff, in a variety of functions at the CSWCD. I have taught middle school and high school students about non-point source pollution and stream ecology. I have helped to organize stream clean-ups and rain barrel workshops. I have conducted stormwater site inspections, which have provided me the opportunity to meet community members throughout the Greater Cleveland Area. All of these experiences have accumulated throughout my internship to further my understanding of how humans impact and interact with their environments. I look forward to continuing to learn and work with the great staff at the CSWCD.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Blog author, Dan Kloos, Natural Resources/Education Intern

Leave a comment

X

Sign Up

Get email updates from the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District.