I was a science kid growing up. I ran around outside, bits of sticks in my hair and mud on my feet, and collected flowers, berries and leaves. I worked to draw everything I found in my little spiral-bound journal. In school, I stared in awe through the microscope in my 9th grade biology lab at the gentle glow of chloroplasts. Every little part of the natural world fascinated me, and through my time at the Thompson Earth Systems Institute, I got the chance to combine my passion for writing with my interests in Florida’s environment. 

Over the past year at TESI, I’ve had the chance to work on social media outreach campaigns, research and write articles for the Earth to Florida newsletter, produce video content for the TESI Instagram, and report and write feature stories about pressing issues in Florida’s environment.  

I think one of my favorite parts of this experience is the chance I had to write a story about citrus greening and one grower’s experience fighting the disease. I loved going on a tour of his groves, getting video footage and shooting some photographs of the property and diving deep into the history of citrus in Florida. It really opened my eyes to the culture surrounding Florida’s oranges and combined nature and people’s experiences, which are my favorite stories to read and tell.  

Overall, my experience at TESI was invaluable to my education as a science communicator and environmental journalist. I loved getting to work with a team of professionals and fellow interns alike to share valuable knowledge about Florida’s environment to the people who live in and love the sunshine state.  

View all of my work for TESI here.