As an environmental engineering major at the University of Florida, I’ve always looked for ways to get more involved in the sustainability and conservation side of my field, beyond the technical focus found in most of my STEM courses. Last semester, when I started seeking out new opportunities I ended up meeting Kamila Koralasbayev in chemistry class. She had just started her role as an environmental communicator, and after asking her a few questions about the position, I felt inspired to explore opportunities with TESI, the Thompson Earth System’s Institute, for the spring. After following TESI’s website and the Environmental Leaders Network, I came across the Florida Springs Outreach Internship. It seemed like a perfect fit, especially because I’ve always wanted to center my studies on marine and coastal ecosystems and plan to attend graduate school for ocean engineering.
Communicating with an impact
Now that I’ve completed my semester as an Environmental Leaders Fellow, I’m incredibly grateful that I found this opportunity and decided to apply. Working with such a passionate and supportive team—including Abigail Davis, Sadie Mills, Lexi Bolger, Alexandria O’Donovan, and the rest of the TESI staff—has been both rewarding and inspiring. I’ve learned so much from this experience, and the knowledge and skills I’ve gained are truly invaluable.
Abigail and I focused on the Swamp for the Springs campaign, where our goal was to educate fellow UF students to help them understand how their everyday actions affect Florida’s natural springs. We also shared practical steps they can take to protect these ecosystems. Our work was supported by the Gulf Scholars Program, which allowed us to explore the connections between different water bodies, such as the link between Florida’s springs and Florida’s Gulf waters. I had always known how important springs are, but it wasn’t until this internship that I fully grasped how actions in one part of an ecosystem can affect so many others.
One of the most enjoyable and challenging parts of this internship was the level of creativity involved. Abigail and I worked closely with the TESI team to brainstorm social media campaigns and outreach strategies. One idea I was proud to contribute was Springs Pictionary for our tabling events, which turned out to be a fun and effective way to keep students engaged. Seeing our ideas come together—both in-person and through digital content—taught me a lot about teamwork, professional communication, and how to collaborate effectively toward a shared mission.
Connecting with the springs
Some of my favorite memories from this semester are our field visits to Manatee Springs, Gilchrist Blue Springs, and Poe Springs. Being from Colorado, I had never had the chance to explore these ecosystems up close before. At Manatee Springs, I loved how peaceful the environment was and was amazed by the amount of wildlife we encountered, including turtles, manatees, alligators, and birds. At Gilchrist Blue, we had the opportunity to kayak for two hours, where I got an up-close look at the crystal-clear water and the biodiversity around us. That day, I also filmed my “day in the life” video which is one of the projects I was most proud to complete. Visiting the springs firsthand gave us valuable context for the content we created and helped us better connect with the ecosystems we were working to protect.
Looking back, I couldn’t be more thankful for this internship. It gave me the chance to focus on a cause I care deeply about—environmental education and aquatic ecosystems—while also helping me grow personally and professionally. Balancing this experience with school and my other responsibilities taught me a lot about time management, and I’ve realized how much I enjoy staying busy when the work is meaningful. I’ve always wanted to help educate others about the impact we all have on the planet, and this internship allowed me to do that in a tangible, impactful way.
Thank you!
It has been a privilege to explore Florida’s springs with the TESI team, and to help provide others with the knowledge and tools they need to protect these environments. I’m excited to carry everything I’ve learned into future roles, while continuing to stay curious and involved in both my professional and personal life.
TESI’s Swamp for the Springs campaign is funded by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The project is supported by two undergraduate student fellows, funded by the University of Florida Gulf Scholars program.
