Connor Welsh
Outreach Intern
I am a rising fourth year student studying Natural Resource Management at Ohio State. Growing up in the Scouts, working at REI, and my rugged exploration of the Appalachian Trail as a Wilderness Trip Leader instilled a desire to pursue an environmental field, and my combined experience has brought me to the ORWRP as an outreach intern! This opportunity allows me to align my outdoor passions by leading site tours of our experimental wetlands, representing the ORWRP through tabling events and educational programs, and running our social media, ensuring our exciting research initiatives here can reach as many people as possible. Each day presents a dozen new things to learn, and I’m excited to share that experience with all who visit!
AJ Sweigart
Research and Site Management Intern
I am a rising fifth year pursuing a degree in Forestry and Wildlife, with a minor in Human and Animal Interactions, hoping to continue to explore my passion for the environment while connecting people with the natural world around them. Growing up in South Florida, I have always had great interest in exploring and creating opportunities to interact with nature. In the future I hope to be able to travel and work around the country to protect and conserve our natural resources and be a beacon for environmental education and interpretation. I am excited to be able to share my experience and knowledge, while also learning about new ways to study and manage plants and animals as a Research and Site Management Intern at the ORWRP!
Ethan Staffiera
Research and Site Management Intern
I am a rising third year student majoring in environmental science, with a minor in cultural anthropology. I love being immersed in nature and adventuring in new places. My experience with ecology data collection has provided me with the opportunity to work as a research intern here at the ORWRP, where I am helping to document the behaviors of plants and animals within the wetland. My goal is to grow as a scientist and use my understanding of nature to help people and places in need. I am excited for this chance to learn more about the world around me, from the biggest trees to the littlest insects!
Sara Herman
Outreach Intern
I am a third year student studying environmental science at OSU. Growing up I attended an outdoor education summer camp which allowed me to connect to nature and helped set me on the path of an environmental career. Working at the same camp gave me a passion for environmental education, which is what brought me to the Olentangy River Wetlands as an outreach intern. I am excited to have the opportunity to explore my passions for nature and environmental education through running our wetland’s events and programming. I hope to be able to give others the opportunity to experience the wonder of connecting to and learning about the natural world that I have had.
Gianna Quinones
Site Management Intern
I am a third year transfer student studying Forestry and Wildlife at The Ohio State University. My passion for the outdoors, whether I am hiking, biking, backpacking, or hunting, has pulled me in the direction of building a career in natural resources. I started volunteering for the Columbus Metro Parks, and focused my time at Clear Creek, where I am a part of an HWA monitoring group. Being immersed in the forest with the Eastern Hemlocks and looking for HWA is what created my deep interest in Forestry. Being able to dual major in Wildlife will be very beneficial for my success, as both subjects heavily rely on each other in the natural world. I am very excited to be an intern here at ORWRP, and cannot wait to work alongside an amazing group of likeminded people!