2023 LHIP Report : simplebooklet.com

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary .......................................................... 3Acknowledgments ............................................................ 4Interns in Today’s Workforce ........................................ 5LHIP Mission and Objectives ........................................ 6LHIP Priorities ........................................................................ 7Cultivating Diversity .......................................................... 8Program Partner ................................................................. 9Intern Project Spotlights ..............................................10Our Team ............................................................................... 12Demographics (Intern Diversity) ..............................13Data Over the Years (2015 - 2023) ............................14Demographics (Intern Barriers) ................................15Demographics (NPS/USFS Knowledge) ...............16Program Support and Sustainability .....................17Internship Host Sites ....................................................... 18Intern Positions .................................................................. 19Intern Testimonials ..........................................................20ABOVE: LHIP Group Photo with NPS Director Charles F. Sams III, Ernestine White, Jamie Crispin at the Department of the Interior.FRONT COVER: LHIP intern Steven Esparza as he skillfully hand draws an architectural plan of the door behind him.National Park Service (NPS)Jamie Crispin Chief Youth Programs Division jamie_crispin@nps.gov | 202-513-7157Ernestine M. White National Youth Employment Programs Coordinator ernestine_white@nps.gov | 202-513-7157Environment for the Americas (EFTA)LHIP@environmentamericas.org Learn more at environmentamericas.orgDemographics (Intern Experience) .........................21Intern Highlights ...............................................................22DHA-RA Intern Presentations ....................................27PLC Intern Presentations ..............................................28Career and Leadership Workshop ........................... 29Team Site Visits .................................................................. 30Speakers ................................................................................32Keynote Speaker, Daniel Wildcat, Ph.D. ..............33Interns and Supervisor Awards ................................. 34Intern Workshop Surveys .............................................35Media Highlights ...............................................................36Words From Our Interns ..............................................40Words From Mentors / Supervisors .........................41American History Through Intern Art ...................42Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles ........................................46About World Migratory Bird Day .............................. 59

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Executive SummaryThe Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) is one of Environment for the Americas’ (EFTA) earliest internship programs and represents our commitment to creating connections to the natural world and to fostering awareness of federal careers in conservation and stewardship. As we bring its 9th year to a close, we reﬂect on its remarkable journey—one marked by evolution in response to a changing world. Yet, at its heart, the program remains unwavering in its dedication to bridging the path for early-career Latino professionals, providing them with invaluable skill-building experiences.Within the pages that follow, we invite you to delve into our comprehensive analysis of interns and their experiences with LHIP. We gather important insights, a practice we have embraced to continually enhance and adapt the program.We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the numerous partners within the National Park Service and other organizations who have played an integral role in the success of LHIP. We also thank the team at Environment for the Americas that contributes time, passion, and a lot of heart to making sure each intern has a successful journey. Their generosity and enthusiasm are instrumental.Sincerely, Susan Bonﬁeld Executive DirectorLHIP Summary 2015 - 2023HIP intern Gia Flores-Arellano embarks on a photo-taking expedition to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial.3129,200 hours of service335 interns 32 HIRED by NPS

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AcknowledgmentsWe are incredibly grateful for the vision and dedication of our numerous partners, without whom this program would not have been possible. We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the hard work and support provided by the following individuals and partners:NPS UNITS HOSTING LHIP INTERNSHIPBering Land Bridge National Preserve, AKBiscayne National Park, FLChaco Culture National Historical Park, NMCuyahoga Valley National Park, OHDinosaur National Monument, UTEverglades National Park, FLFirst State National Historical Park, DEFort Raleigh National Historic Site, NCGrand Canyon National Park, AZHaleakalā National Park, HIHeritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS), D.C.Independence National Historical Park, PAJewel Cave National Monument, SDKlondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, AKLassen Volcanic National Park, CALincoln Boyhood National Memorial, INMount Rushmore National Memorial, SDNational Trails Ofﬁce, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, NMNew Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, LAPaciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance, WA Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, TXPullman National Historical Park, ILRocky Mountain National Park, COSalem Maritime National Historic Site & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, MAShenandoah National Park, VASoutheast Regional Ofﬁce Geospatial Resources (SERO GR), GASoutheast Region Planning and Environmental Compliance, COTonto National Monument, AZWASO Ofﬁce of Communications, D.C.Zion National Park, UTRECRUITING PARTNERSBall State UniversityBrown UniversityCalifornia State University, Bakersﬁeld*Clark UniversityColorado State UniversityGeorgia Gwinnett College* +Lehigh UniversityLos Angeles City College* +Northern Illinois UniversityNorthern Michigan UniversityOregon State UniversityRice UniversitySacramento State UniversitySaint Mary’s College* +Slippery Rock UniversitySouthern Connecticut State UniversityTexas A&M University* University of Arizona*University of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Houston* +University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County +University of New Mexico*University of North Carolina, GreensboroUniversity of North GeorgiaUniversity of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras*University of RichmondUniversity of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at El Paso*Utah Tech University* Hispanic-Serving Institutions+ Asian American and Native American Paciﬁc Islander Serving Institutions 4LHIP group cartoon poster created by Puerto Rican artist, Ará Nibar.

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Interns in Today’s Workforce5 Name Position State Hire Term Genome Rodriguez Raya NPS Biological Science Technician CA Permanent Luis Alverto Avalos NPS Diversity Internship Program Coordinator, CO Permanent Rocky Mountain National Park Maria Alejandra Muñoz Otalvaro Biological Science Tech on Monday WY Seasonal Grand Tetons National Park Michaelle Machuca Seasonal Archeologist with the Forest Service Seasonal Natias Mathias Southeast Archeological Center FL Seasonal Roxana Aracelis Saravia Public Programs Coordinator NY Permanent National Audubon Society Ruby Gonzalez USFS Sequoia National Forest CA Seasonal Sheila Lucero Garcia Bacilio Whiskeytown National Recreational Area CA Seasonal Alvin Romero Rivera Park Guide at San Francisco Maritime NHP CA Permanent Ashleyann Perez Rivera USFW Digital Media Ranger, VA Permanent USFW Service HQ, Falls Chirch Cristina Martinez Guzman Interpretive Ranger at Golden Gate NRA CA Permanent Edgar Hernandez Rios Beneﬁts Authorizer at Social Security Administration IL Permanent Eduardo Jesus Chaidez Park Ranger, Statue of Liberty National Monument NY Permanent Gibrán N Lule-Hurtado Community Planner at River, Trails and Conservation TX Permanent Jonathan Ignacio Tejeda Nebraska Game and Parks NE Permanent Melisa (Mely) Bohlman Udall Foundation’s Parks AZ Permanent Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Specialist’ Tangy Eleni Wiseman at Forest Service Wilderness and Wild and Scenic DC Permanent Rivers Program at the Washington Ofﬁce in Diana Sarmiento Park Ranger, Yellowstone National Park WY Seasonal Outdoor Recreation Planner, Estrella Sainburg Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail CA Permanent National Park Service Isabel Gonzalez Park Ranger, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site NC Seasonal Kristian Enbysk Museum Technician, Midwest Archaeological Center NE Seasonal National Park Service Paola Hinojosa Park Ranger, Lassen Volcanic National Park CA Seasonal

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The Latino Heritage Internship Program reaches out and connects with Latino college students from diverse backgrounds that have little or no access to their national parks, to invite them to serve in challenging educational, job-training, career exploration, and developmental opportunities through internships with the National Park Service. Program participants develop valuable career skills that will open doors to exciting career opportunities with the NPS.LHIP Mission StatementProgram ObjectivesThe goals and objectives of the LHIP program are to engage and support motivated undergraduate and graduate students (18-30 years old), as well as military veterans (18-35 years old), by providing opportunities to work with NPS staff on cultural and natural resources projects. By doing so, the program helps increase awareness of our national parks and historic sites, promote their accessibility, and encourage active involvement from the Latino community in their preservation. This aligns with the vision and priority of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the NPS, by fostering relationships with conservation organizations that advocate for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.6Beneﬁts and Opportunities:• Introduces Latino youth to employment opportunities in the NPS, focusing on cultural and natural resource stewardship, science, research, interpretation, and community outreach.• Develops internship projects that are vital to achieving the NPS goals and objectives at local units.• Creates relationships and connections between mentors and protégés.• Collaborates with Latino-owned conservation organizations to expand NPS outreach in Latino communities across the nation and build lasting relationships.• Establishes a pathway for talented Latino interns to transition into long-term career positions within the NPS.

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Equity and Environmental Justice In the United States, the effects of the various crisis are felt differently by different groups in our society. Communities of color, low-income families, as well as rural and Indigenous communities, have endured an unfair burden of air pollution, water pollution, and toxic sites for far too long In our commitment to accountability, the U.S. Department of Interior will actively involve diverse stakeholders nationwide, while prioritizing formal consultation with Tribes to honor the U.S. government’s trust responsibilities.Connecting Underrepresented Communities to the World of Conservation We are committed to connecting people with public lands and empowering them to participate in important stewardship activities. Whether it’s developing educational programs, preserving historical objects, or studying the resources that pollinators need to survive, our participants make a signiﬁcant impact. Our interns dedicate thousands of hours to caring for our valuable natural and cultural resources in national parks. In doing so, they not only raise awareness within their own communities but also strengthen the connection between communities and national parks. Together with other youth and adults, our interns extend their stewardship efforts beyond park boundaries. They also contribute to improving access to national parks by offering visitor services and creating informative materials about park access and resources.LHIP works to broaden awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within the National Park Service. Program participants have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals in a variety of roles such as historians, scientists, and conservation experts. Our overarching goal is to help create pathways for talented Latino students and professionals to pursue fulﬁlling careers within the NPS and other public land agencies.LHIP Priorities7

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Cultivating DiversityLatinos, the fastest growing segment of the US population, make up 51% of the total population growth according to the 2020 Census. With 62.1 million people, they are the second largest group and represent 26% of those under 18. This data highlights the need for the Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP), which aims to address the underrepresentation of Latinos in national parks and the workforce. LHIP, established in 2014, is part of a broader strategy by the National Park Service (NPS) to recruit and develop diverse talent. By collaborating with conservation partners, LHIP enables the NPS to invest in cost-effective strategies to attract motivated young professionals and veterans. The program’s goals include raising awareness of national parks, their accessibility, and the importance of Latino community involvement in preservation efforts. LHIP aligns with the vision and priorities of the US Department of the Interior and strengthens the NPS’s relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship of public lands. LHIP intern Ana Guzman tabling at a community outreach event with Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial8

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NPS Youth Engagement and Development ProgramsThe NPS Youth Programs Division shapes the future of the National Park System. We offer a wide range of engaging and developmental activities for young people, both in and around national parks. Our programs also extend to NPS support ofﬁces, local communities, and partnerships with other organizations. From exciting projects to immersive programs, we empower and inspire youth aged 30 and under (including military veterans up to 35 years old) to connect with nature and contribute to the preservation of our parks.Youth Programs offer a wide range of opportunities for U.S. citizens and legal residents, including employment, education, recreation, and volunteer service. Environment for the Americas (EFTA)EFTA is a nonproﬁt organization dedicated to bridging the gap between underrepresented individuals and conservation through research, education, and outreach. Our mission is to protect and preserve quality public lands and wildlife habitat for the generations to come.One of our key initiatives is providing opportunities for youth to engage in science and natural resource careers. By empowering young minds, we are ensuring the longevity of our natural environment. We are also passionate about increasing participation in environmental education and promoting outdoor recreation among all demographics.For over a decade, our internship programs, including LHIP, have played a vital role in reducing barriers to participation in conservation efforts. Through these programs, we have been able to cultivate a diverse and talented workforce that is committed to preserving our natural resources.The National Park Service is committed to safeguarding the natural and cultural resources that make up our National Park System. NPS is dedicated to providing future generations with the opportunity to appreciate and be inspired by these incredible assets. Collaborating with partners, NPS works to extend the beneﬁts of conserving our natural and cultural heritage and promoting outdoor recreation to all corners of the country and beyond.Program Partner: The National Park Service Mission9

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2023 Intern Project Spotlights Architecture:HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION PROGRAMS (HABS/HAER/HALS) Allison and Steven, the Architectural / Historic Preservation Technician interns, documented the Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center in Socorro, TX, using high deﬁnition 3-D laser scanners and hand drawn architectural plans. The Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center will soon become a National Historic Landmark.10Community Outreach:LINCOLN BOYHOOD NATIONAL MEMORIALInterns work on a variety of projects including community outreach, museum collections, architectural plans, or even providing visitor services. The project spotlights below have aided to the Park Service mission; “to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

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2023 Intern Project Spotlights Science:CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK Soﬁa, the Natural Resource Management intern, was located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Soﬁa was involved in a wide range of natural resource management projects. Among Soﬁa’s responsibilities were bird banding and butterﬂy surveys, bat monitoring, and digitizing data sheets to better understand what wildlife can be found within the Cuyahoga Valley. History:CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK As the Museum Outreach intern at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Diana gained valuable experiences about the happenings within a museum’s collections and archives. Working with historical objects and the local community surrounding the Chaco-Aztec Museum and Archives Facility, Diana learned the history, astronomy, and migratory patterns of the people in the Southwest. 11

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Stephen PobleteProgram Assistant12Our TeamTogether, the National Park Service and Environment for the Americas ignite a movement of future caretakers for our public lands, and cultural and natural resources. The Latino Heritage Internship Program succeeds because of the dedicated individuals who create, oversee, and inspire the next generation of interns.Ernestine WhiteNational Youth Employment Programs Coordinator & NPS Jamie CrispinYouth Programs ManagerLucy HulburtOutreach and Digital Communications SpecialistVivian MeadeLHIP Program ManagerEstrella SainburgIntern LiaisonPaulina GutierrezDiversity Internships Program AssistantChu-YuGraphic DesignerGeorge McDonaldDOI Youth ProgramsSpecial thanks to George McDonald forhis mentorship, guidance and leadership in developing the Latino Heritage Internship Program. LHIP POC

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Program Support and Sustainability17LHIP intern Jeff Garcia spelunking at Jewel Cave National Monument. The National Park Service Youth Programs Division support for the Latino Heritage Internship Program provided 11-12 week internships, travel and lodging, uniforms and ﬁeld supplies, and training and mentoring throughout the internships under Agreement P21AC10081.Program partners leveraged additional LHIP positions and extensions, and parks contributed funding to support intern travel, some extensions, and lodging.2023 LHIP FundingFunds Park AmountExtensions & Paciﬁc West Planning $39,000Additional Positions Lassen $7,680 Zion (extension 1) $640 Zion (extension 2) $17,125 Route 66 $26,240Lodging & Travel HABS $4,414 SERO GR $1,700 Zion $4,750 Paciﬁc West Planning $7,450 Route 66 $1,300 Inter-mountain Region Planning $5,500 Other intern extension expenses (admin, etc) $59,216.61TOTAL FUNDING $794,477.61

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Internship Host Sites DHA-RA • Biscayne National Park, FL • Everglades National Park, FL • Southeast Region Planning and Environmental Compliance, CO • Mount Rushmore National Memorial, SD • Paciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance, WA • Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, TX • Rocky Mountain National Park, CO • Salem Maritime National Historic Site & Saugus Iron Works • National Historic Site, MAConservation Fellow Direct Hire Authority (DHA-RA) PLC • Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, AK • Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM • Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH • Dinosaur National Monument, UT • First State National Historical Park, DE • Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, NC • Grand Canyon National Park, AZ • Haleakalā National Park, HI • Heritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS), D.C. • Independence National Historical Park, PA • Jewel Cave National Monument, SD2181 • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, AK • Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA • Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, IN • National Trails Ofﬁce, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, NM • New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, LA • Pullman National Historical Park, IL • Shenandoah National Park, VA • Southeast Regional Ofﬁce Geospatial Resources (SERO GR), GA • Tonto National Monument, AZ • WASO Ofﬁce of Communications, D.C. • Zion National Park, UT

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2023 Intern Positions19 Name Site State Intern Position Ash Martinez Salem Maritime National Historic Site & Saugus Iron Works MA InterpretationAdriana Villanueva Cruz Biscayne National Park / FL Fishery Management & Division of Natural Resource Management Natural Resource Intern Lani Madera Everglades National Park / FL Everglades Cultural History Interpretation Everglades Education Education Gia Flores-Arellano Mount Rushmore National Memorial SD Communications & Public Affairs Toni Ramos Padre Island National Seashore Division of TX History Science Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Julia Martinez Southeast Region Planning and Environmental Compliance GA Park Planning Fellow Maria Delgado Gomez Paciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance WA Park Planning Fellow Tatiana Mihaita Rocky Mountain National Park CO Art in the Park Intern Glen Kettering Shenandoah National Park VA Natural Resource Interpretation & Visitor Services Assistant Mario Cardoza-Reyes First State National Historical Park DE Latino Outreach Ambassador Karen Fuentes Independence National Historical Park PA Interpretation Mikaela Garcia Southeast Regional Ofﬁce Geospatial Resources (SERO GR) GA GIS Pia Cano Fort Raleigh National Historic Site NC Interpretive Design Alejandra Hernandez New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park LA ¡Qué viva la música! Ana Guzman Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial IN Education & Interpretation Jaegar Loran Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial IN Education & Interpretation Avian Population Monitoring Soﬁa Gilroy Cuyahoga Valley National Park OH / Natural Resource Management Marty Trujillo Pullman National Historical Park IL Education & Interpretation Jeff Garcia Jewel Cave National Monument SD LHIP Interpretive Karina Rodgers National Trails Ofﬁce, NM Oral Historian / Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Communications Specialist Ellianni Rodriguez Dinosaur National Monument UT Science Communication and Resource Monitoring Gabriella Parra Zion National Park UT Community Outreach Carla Navarrete Zion National Park UT Community Outreach Diana Quintero-Bisono Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM Museum Outreach Superintendent’s Division, Museum & Archives Program Dumari De Leon Grand Canyon National Park AZ Don’t Feed the Landﬁll MacEva Wright Grand Canyon National Park AZ Rare Species Research Assistant Yajali Rodriguez Tonto National Monument AZ Solar Astronomy Technician Xiomara Limon Lassen Volcanic National Park CA Interpretation Program & Visitor Services Assistant Rory Ornelas Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park AK Interpretation & Education Gisel Adame Bering Land Bridge National Preserve AK Social Media Jacqui James Haleakalā National Park HI Haleakalā Interpretation & Environmental Stewardship Allison Toro Villada Heritage Documentation Programs DC Architectural / (HABS/HAER/HALS) Historic Preservation Technician Steven Esparza Heritage Documentation Programs DC Architectural Intern / (HABS/HAER/HALS) Historic Preservation Technician Sophia Grande WASO Ofﬁce of Communications DC Digital Communications Intern

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Intern Testimonials20“I want to thank the Latino Heritage Internship Program for giving me this opportunity to work with Rangers at Lincoln Boyhood and the surrounding Latino community. Thank you for all that pushed me out of my comfort zone here at Lincoln Boyhood. I feel very blessed to have gotten this opportunity to work with you all.”- Jaeger Loran, A Big Thanks!“This experience has been transformative for me in growing my knowledge of GIS, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, the National Park Service, and working in a government organization. I couldn’t ask for a better time with the Latino Heritage Internship Program, Environment for the Americas, and the Park Service!”- Mikaela Garcia, That’s a Wrap on Park Atlas!“This was my ﬁrst experience practicing architecture in an ofﬁce setting versus an academic one. This experience has deﬁnitely aided my understanding of what the professional setting is versus an educational one. On top of this, I learned some new software and preservation skills that I am looking forward to using again when I return to New Mexico.”-Steven Esparza, Summarizing my Experience“It is hard to believe how quickly the summer has gone by. I’ve decided to look back on this experience in photos and think about all the things I’ve experienced. I have surveyed birds and butterﬂies, helped operate a banding station, hiked, kayaked, stayed up late to help with bat monitoring, glued tags to mussels, digitized decades of paper data sheets, and met people at all stages of their careers in environmental science and conservation. I am so happy to have met so many people who are passionate about conservation and more generally about their jobs. I hope to ﬁnd that type of fulﬁllment in my future career.”-Soﬁa Gilroy, Reﬂecting On My Time at Cuyahoga Valley National Park“This entire internship has been full of amazing curve balls. I did not have any prior knowledge or experience of any of the higher technological aspects of this internship and so I was shocked when I began to get the hang of things so quickly.”-Allison Toro Villada, Guidance Turns Into Action

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Intern HighlightsGia Flores-ArellanoMount Rushmore National MemorialCommunications & Public AffairsMount Rushmore National Memorial is a signiﬁcant historical and cultural site in the United States. This sculpture depicts four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. The park attracts approximately 2.5 to 3 million visitors each year. Gia’s project focused on developing a communications plan for Native American Heritage Month, which takes place in November. One important aspect of this plan was to highlight the park’s culture bearers are part of one of the nine tribal nations of South Dakota. All the culture bearers are part of the Lakota nations, and their work helps educate visitors about Indigenous peoples, the Black Hills, history, and culture. Gia began working with all the culture bearers to help them set up for their talks and performances. While working with them this summer, she learned more about their culture, stories, histories, and language. To put together the communications plan, Gia gathered photographs, interviews, and research that will be posted during Native American Heritage Month. In addition to the culture bearers, Gia interviewed Indigenous National Park Service staff with the intention of sharing their stories and expertise as well. These ideas include working with the park Public Information Ofﬁcer to develop a press release, social media posts, and websites to share the importance of the histories and traditions of Indigenous peoples of the Black Hills. Overall, the signiﬁcance of this project is to share the importance of Native Americans and their varying traditions and educate others about the importance of self-awareness and cultural education.Adriana Villanueva CruzBiscayne National Park/Division of Natural Resource Management Fishery Management & Natural ResourceAdriana worked as a natural resource management assistant intern in the pristine waters of Biscayne National Park. Situated in South Florida, Biscayne National Park is 95% water, ﬁlled with varied marine and estuarine ecosystems. The park is home to over 500 ﬁsh species, different species of coral, and inhabits sea mammals like manatees and dolphins. Biscayne is the center for many outdoor activities like kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and ﬁshing. Since ﬁshing is a frequent activity within the park’s waters, ﬁshing regulations are often modiﬁed to relieve ﬁsh populations from any environmental pressures. As a Natural Resource Assistant, Adriana performed creel surveys within park marinas to ensure people know about the regulations, and to assess that regulations are being followed by recreational ﬁshers. Adriana also participated in weekly loggerhead turtle nest monitoring. Sea turtle nest monitoring is important so the endangered species can propagate. Adriana documents both nests and false crawl activity. Adriana’s project entailed analyzing turtle data to determine what the most prominent cause of false crawls is. Adriana also examined whether any correlation between hurricane events and nesting activity exists. Biscayne National Park was full of opportunity and growth for Adriana as she also learned about water quality techniques, deployment of mooring buoys, buoy surveys, and other ﬁeld skills that come in handy in any environmental or biology ﬁeld position.22SCAN CODE to review Gia’s presentationSCAN CODE to review Adriana’s presentation

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Intern HighlightsAsh MartinezSalem Maritime National Historic Site & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site InterpretationSalem Maritime National Historic Site promotes the maritime history of New England, and preserves part of the historic waterfront in Salem, Massachusetts. The site tells the story of the development of colonial port towns, the importance of global trade to the early economy of the United States, and the connection between maritime trade and growing industrialization. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site is a reconstruction of the ﬁrst successful iron works in Colonial America. Both sites highlight and preserve the history that helped form the United States. Ashley’s main project was to create, lead and plan an event for Latino Conservation Week. This focus reﬂected the park’s interest in making deeper connections with the Latino community of Essex County, Massachusetts. This event produced the opportunity to create bilingual programming/Spanish programming that would be of interest to both communities that the park has worked with already and new communities that the park would like to reach. Ashley conducted digital outreach through social media, creating digital ﬂyers and posters. Along with a mini Junior Ranger booklet for the ecosystem scavenger hunt held at the event, Ashley created bilingual programs that highlighted the park’s history in English and Spanish. Essex County’s Latino population has been growing and this type of programming has led to new partnerships with these communities and has created more inclusivity in both parks.Toni Ramos Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery History SciencePadre Island National Seashore (PAIS) is located near Corpus Christi, Texas. PAIS protects 60 miles of undeveloped land and is titled as the world’s largest undeveloped barrier island. In 1962, the United States congress passed legislation to establish PAIS as a National Park. In 1970, the Seashore began conservation efforts for sea turtles, speciﬁcally the Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys Kempii). A bi-national program between the United States and Mexico’s Rancho Nuevo was founded to restore the Kemp’s population. The Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery has an expansive history of conservation and has produced critical data and publications on the rare and endangered species, Kemp’s ridley. Toni Ramos focused her internship on the unique geological conditions of the beach. Her project incorporated ArcGIS, a mapping software, and ﬁeld work to understand the correlation between the coastal geomorphology and its impact on nesting site selections of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The project was broken into two aspects: visualizing the nesting hotspots along the beach and analyzing the beach-dune proﬁles. Toni proposed the research project as her academic background is geology-based. Toni recognized that the imprinting phenomenon of sea turtle nesting could be further protected by assessing the geomorphology of the Seashore and implementing data to visualize where rangers could anticipate nesting hotspots.23SCAN CODE to review Ash’s presentationSCAN CODE to review Toni’s presentation

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Intern HighlightsJulia MartinezSoutheast Region Planning and Environmental Compliance Park Planning FellowThe National Park Service is divided into different regions, all with their own unique characteristics, histories and native wildlife. The Southeastern region consists of parks within Kentucky to the Carolinas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. With rich cultural resources in this part of the country, careful planning is completed to tell the complete story and allow visitors of all ages to engage and learn. Our Park Planning Fellow, Julia Martinez, spent her summer learning about the demands of park planning with the Southeastern Regional Ofﬁce (SERO). With the southeastern region of the country home to the Civil Rights movement, many of her projects consisted of planning services provided to parks, which include plan identiﬁcation and development. Special resource studies and reconnaissance surveys were also completed to understand what each area offered. Site visits were critical in understanding how planning turned to action. Moores Creek National Battleﬁeld (MOCR), Freedom Riders National Monument (FRRI), Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area (CHAT) and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) were park units where she completed site visits, learned about natural resource management and how to complete preliminary planning project. Attending the grand opening of Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument (MEMY) in Jackson, Mississippi was a critical part in understanding park planning as historical sites like this are nestled in urban areas, yet must be preserved and accessible to the general public. Julia collected public comments from the grand opening of the MEMY to create a public engagement report.Tatiana Mihaita Rocky Mountain National Park“Art in the Park” Nestled in Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is part of the mountain range that stems from New Mexico to Canada. In recent years, it has become the fourth most visited park in the National Park Service. Although designated for federal protection in 1915, Native people have been successful stewards of this land since time immemorial and continue to be to this day. Previously, the park has had an Artist-in-Residence program, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program was put on hold resulting in a large gap in art-related programming. Tatiana’s role as the Art in the Park intern has been to pilot new art programming that goes beyond the typical perceptions of art. During her internship, she developed and delivered eight new programs, including air-dry clay, nature journaling, and a nature-themed stretching program. Through her background in theatre and recreational therapy, Tatiana was able to incorporate physical movements to educate and facilitate connections regarding park resources. Her knowledge and drive to provide inclusive recreational programming have allowed these art programs to reach individuals with varying disabilities. Having spearheaded the accruement of adaptive art tools, Tatiana’s accessibility awareness has given staff and visitors alike access to the park in a way that has never been seen before. Tatiana is leaving behind multiple templates for future park staff. As an advocate for groups not typically present in program planning, Tatiana has invigorated a renewed perspective on accessibility amongst the interpretative team; showing art and recreation are truly meant for all people.24SCAN CODE to review Julia’s presentationSCAN CODE to review Tatiana’s presentation

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Intern HighlightsXochitl LopezPaciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance Park Planning FellowXochitl completed a year-long fellowship with the Park Planning & Environmental Compliance Program in the Paciﬁc West Regional Ofﬁce of the National Park Service. With regional ofﬁces in San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA, Xochitl worked remotely from Los Angeles, CA. During her year-long fellowship, Xochitl supported three park planning projects each at a different location. These included César E. Chávez National Monument (CECH), War In The Paciﬁc National Historical Park (WAPA), and Death Valley National Park (DEVA). At CECH, Xochitl helped plan and implement programming for the monument’s 10th anniversary, supported staff in applying to the Inclusive Storytelling Grant, and provided translations for interpretive projects. Xochitl’s work helped CECH staff reach wider audiences, speciﬁcally Spanish-speaking communities. She also wrote key sections for CECH’s preliminary project report for a General Management Plan. For WAPA, Xochitl supported with note-taking and administrative support during weekly staff meetings, facilitated activities during planning workshops, and conducted archival research with photos for the Asan & Agat Unit Management Plan. Xochitl’s contributions were part of the many aspects that park planning entails. In DEVA, Xochitl provided assistance with research and technical tasks for the park’s preliminary project report on the park’s Surprise Canyon Wilderness Area. She contributed to completing the appendix by researching key aspects of previous plans. Xochitl joined the DEVA team on a backpacking site visit, where they explored the area and later completed the preliminary project report for regional review.Lani Madera Everglades National Park /Interpretation Everglades Education Everglades Cultural History EducationSouth Florida is home to Everglades National Park, which protects twenty percent of the original Everglades in Florida. The park is the greatest tropical wilderness east of the Mississippi River in the United States. Compared to other national parks, Everglades is known for preserving the subtropical environment’s biological features and essential primitive conditions. It is also the most threatened, predominantly due to hydrological developments that have disrupted water ﬂow, resulting in severe ecological consequences. The Hole-in-the-Donut Restoration Project is a ﬁrst for the National Park Service and the state of Florida. Utilizing mitigation funds from permitted development projects in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, the park has led the way in eradicating invasive species and restoring wetland habitats. Lani’s primary objective for her project at Everglades National Park was to create a booklet to supplement an educational program designed to teach high school students about the signiﬁcant changes occurring in South Florida. The purpose of this booklet was to use her knowledge and abilities to educate students who visit the Everglades about its historical and cultural dimensions. The project outcomes included the creation of lesson plans that adhere to the FL CPLAMS standards and the Hole-in-the-Donut Restoration Field Guide.25SCAN CODE to review Xochitl’s presentationSCAN CODE to review Lani’s presentation

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Intern HighlightsMaria Delgado GomezPaciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance Park Planning FellowThe National Park Service (NPS) Paciﬁc West Regional Park Planning and Environmental Compliance Ofﬁce (PWR-PPEC) in Seattle, WA, serves 60+ National Park units located in Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Hawaii, the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. One of those units, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS), in Northern California, is known for its crystal-clear reservoir waters and ample environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities. In 2018, the Carr Fire burned 97% of WHIS and devastated the park. Additionally, park visitation has grown exponentially in the last decade, and the park’s vehicle and visitor numbers exceed roads and infrastructure capacity, damaging resources and diminishing the quality of visitors’ experience. All national park units must have a plan for park management, which can be either a standalone general management plan (GMP) or a portfolio of planning documents to meet the statutory requirements. However, given the magnitude of the impacts of the Carr Fire and the fact that WHIS’s GMP is over 20 years old, assembling the existing planning documents and analyzing them to determine the park’s planning needs is a priority. During her ﬁrst 12 weeks as a Park Planning Fellow with the PWR-PPEC ofﬁce, Maria compiled WHIS’ park planning portfolio and drafted the accompanying GMP Review memorandum. Maria supported WHIS in documenting that the park is meeting the legal requirements for planning while also facilitating the process of seeking funding for a critical park plan to address access, transportation, and user capacity, contributing essential and meaningful work toward addressing large-scale issues for WHIS.26SCAN CODE to review Maria’s presentationLHIP intern Lani Madera working in the swamp at Everglades National Park.

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Our Team Connects with Interns In Person through Site Visits The goal of these visits is to assess how the internship is going, discuss challenges and successes with partners, and see projects in action. This year, our staff was able to visit the 16 sites below for an in-person site visit: • Biscayne National Park• Chaco Culture National Historical Park• Cuyahoga Valley National Park• Everglades National Park• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site• First State National Historical Park• Heritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS)• Independence National Historical Park• Jewel Cave National Monument• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park• Lassen Volcanic National Park• Mount Rushmore National Memorial• National Trails Ofﬁce, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program• Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites• Shenandoah National Park• Rocky Mountain National ParkLHIP intern Gia-Flores Arellano and LHIP Program Manager Vivian Meade at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 30

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Charles F. Sams IIIDirector National Park ServiceSara NewmanDirector Ofﬁce of Public Health National Park ServiceMelissa SimsChief HR Policy and Strategic Initiatives Workforce and Inclusion Directorate National Park ServiceJamie Crispin Youth Programs Manager National Park Service George McDonaldYouth Programs U.S Department of the InteriorMichael MartinezDeputy Assistant U.S. Department of the InteriorSpeakers32Merlene MazyckWorkforce Development Partnerships Team Lead US Forest ServiceRobyn ReesDirector of HR Strategic Initiatives Ofﬁce of Human Capital Department of the InteriorEleanour SnowYouth and Education Programs Manager Geologist US Geological SurveyDoug HaleHR Specialist National Park ServiceIsabel GonzalezInterpretive Ranger Fort Raleigh National Historic Site National Park ServiceKristian EnbyskMuseum Technician Midwest Archeological Center National Park ServiceKathryn TrouthmanPresident The Resume Place Lisa CollinsPresident Education Through Engagement, LLCEstrella SainburgOutdoor Recreation Planner Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail National Park ServiceJuan Pablo Esparza LimónCommunity Volunteer Ambassador Dinosaur National MonumentEdwin TorresVeterans Outreach Coordinator Central Washington UniversityXochitl LopezPark Planning Fellow Alumni Latino Heritage Internship ProgramFacilitators and Speakers

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Daniel Wildcat, Ph.D., is a professor at Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas.Dr. Wildcat focuses on Indigenous knowledge, technology, environment, and education.Wildcat co-founded the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center and designed the video series All Things Are Connected: The Circle of Life (1997). He established the American Indian and Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group and organized the Planning for Seven Generations climate change conference. Wildcat is also the author of Red Alert! Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge (2009).Keynote Speaker LEFT: Dr. Daniel Wildcat speaking at the Career and Leadership Workshop.RIGHT: LHIP intern Gisel Adame getting her book signed by Dr. Daniel Wildcat.33

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Intern Workshop SurveysOn a scale of 1 - 5 1 is not relevant, 5 is very relevant4.21 Poster Sessions4.0 Hired Alumni Panel3.74 Federal Resume35LHIP intern Jacqui James presenting her poster at the Career and Leadership Workshop.96% SAIDHow important was learning about other interns’ work through their presentations?IMPORTANT TO VERY IMPORTANT83% SAIDHow important were the DHA and PLC Presentations?HELPFUL TO VERY HELPFUL 80% SAID YES!Did you beneﬁt from hearing from Park Leadership?Overall content of Day 1:82% SAIDGOOD TO VERY GOOD How important is it to hear from the Director of the National Park Service? 81% SAIDIMPORTANT TO VERY IMPORTANTRate your experience at the tour of the Presente! exhibit: 91% SAIDGOOD TO EXCELLENTOverall content of Day 3:91% SAIDGOOD TO VERY GOOD Internal Report If you participated in the Cultural Art project, please share how this activity contributed to your experience20% Little to No Impact40% Neutral40% Very Impactful

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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial: “I communicated behind the booth regarding #LatinoConservationWeek and why this week is about supporting Latino communities to the visitors…” Zion National Park: “Missed out on the epic LHIP intern action during #LatinoConservationWeek? We’ve got the scoop for you!” Grand Canyon National Park: “Environment for the Americas intern in the Latino Heritage Internship program MacEva Wright from Grand Canyon National Park presents her research at the Career and Leadership Workshop in the Department of the Interior.”Mount Rushmore National Memorial: “Gia’s summer internship at Mount Rushmore National Memorial has been an inspiration for her! Working along the breathtaking landscapes of South Dakota has unlocked new realms of creativity, mental clarity, and physical well-being.”Shenandoah National Park: “As is on his incredible journey through Shenandoah National Park, he recently had the honor of conducting his very ﬁrst ranger program!”New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: “Alejandra had the opportunity to conduct a captivating workshop on cumbia music, delving into its historical parallels with the vibrant rhythms of New Orleans.”First State National Historical Park: “#YourParkStory EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED by Mario Cordoza-Reyes. This summer, Mario is a Latino Outreach Ambassador at First State National Historical Park.”Jewel Cave National Monument: “Jeffrey Garcia got to host his ﬁrst outreach event at Jewel Cave National Monument!”Facebook InstagramScan the codes to see the LHIP recognition on FacebookScan the codes to see the LHIP recognition on Instagram36Media Highlights: Social Media

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More Media HighlightsLHIP interns Dumari De Leon and Gabriella Parra at the Juneteenth event at Grand Canyon National Park. SCAN CODE to review the article by Allison and Steven (interns) with Vivian, the LHIP Program ManagerIntern Spotlight: Estrella SainburgEstrella Sainburg, a Los Angeles native, joined the National Park Service to promote equitable park access. Her internship at Minute Man National Historical Park focused on trail stewardship, alternative transportation, and community building. Estrella gained valuable historical insights while strengthening her planning skills.LHIP, HABS, and the City of Socorro, Texas LHIP interns Allison Toro Villada and Steven Esparza with the Heritage Documentation Programs (HABS), and LHIP Program Manager Vivian Meade giving an interview for the City of Socorro,TX, about the Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center. Allison and Steven shared insights about their efforts in documenting and mapping the farm’s history, while Vivian spoke about the Latino Heritage Internship Program.SCAN CODE to review the article by EstrellaSCAN CODE to review the article by Soﬁa37My Park Story: Cuyahoga Valley National ParkSoﬁa Gilroy, an undergraduate at Brown University studying environmental science, is passionate about the natural world. Soﬁa was the Avian Population Monitoring/Natural Resource Management intern at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Her work focused on the Great Blue Heron Monitoring Project to gather data on avian survivorship and productivity.

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38Social MediaIn 2023, the efforts of LHIP yielded a greater amount of varied and professional media content, all directed at advancing the program’s objectives, engaging past and present interns, and involving program partners. The growth, reach, visits, and interactions on LHIP’s social media platforms witnessed a noticeable rise as compared to the previous year.LHIP Social Media AccountsInstagram: @lhip_internsFacebook: @latinoheritageinternshiprogramLHIP Social Media Growth• Los Angeles• New York• Tucson• San AntonioFACEBOOKPage Reach in 2023: 101,534Page Visits Increase 3%Page Likes Increase 88% INSTAGRAMFollowers August 2022 1,082Followers August 2023 1,34927% IncreaseAccounts reached 27.7% Top Cities Engaged • San Antonio• Denver • Los Angeles• El Paso• New YorkTop Cities Engaged 73 LIKES

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Popular Social Media PostsTatiana Mihaita “Art in the Park” Intern, Rocky Mountain National Park Shared on Rocky Mountain National Park’s Instagram account, a shout-out to Tatiana Mihaita, an exceptional intern participating in the LHIP program.2,076 LIKESEllianni Rodriguez Science Communication and Resource Monitoring Intern, (they/them) Dinosaur National MonumentEllianni perfecting the art of packing for their internship program.Toni Ramos History Science Intern, Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Toni releasing sea turtle hatchlings. 92 LIKESSteven Esparza and Allison Toro Villada Architectural Intern/ Historic Preservation Technician, Heritage Documentation Program (HABS/HAER/HALS)LHIP interns Steven and Allison conducting architectural surveys at the Rio Vista Bracero Reception Center.51 LIKESSoﬁa Gilroy Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OHShared on @npsyouth Instagram account, a shout out to LHIP intern Soﬁa Gilroy.156 LIKES39 Intern Takeover!Gisel Adame actively engaged in a two-part social media takeover during the course of her internship.This well promoted takeover took place on Instagram and Facebook. Gisel was empowered to provide a ﬁrsthand glimpse into the experience of a LHIP intern and activities that make up a typical day at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. SCAN CODE to see Gisel’s intern takeover promotional video on:67 LIKESPART 1: 596 VIEWSINTERN TAKEOVERPART 2: 431 VIEWSINTERN TAKEOVER

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Words From Our Interns LHIP intern Adriana Villanueva Cruz and NPS staff on a boat to survey sea turtles at Biscayne National Park. 40…the work that the LHIP interns do is so integral and important for giving Latinos access and space within the outdoors and a government organization. I also wanted to thank Vivian, who has been so helpful to all of us interns throughout the process and has made me glad that I came back another year. - Sophia Grande Digital Communications Intern I presented my art project in front of my peers. I loved hearing everyone’s story and relationship to their art. It made me hopeful about the future of the NPS. I truly wish everyone who was there to eventually ﬁnd their path and become gainfully employed, successful, and happy in what they do.- Maria Delgado Gomez Park Planning FellowThis internship experience in Biscayne National Park has deﬁnitely placed me out of my comfort zone when it comes to ﬁeld work, and has made me discover abilities I wasn’t aware of. The work in Biscayne National Park has increased my interest in the marine biology ﬁeld and has made me appreciate even more our precious natural resources.- Adriana Villanueva Cruz Fishery Management & Natural Resource Intern

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Words From Mentors / SupervisorsLHIP intern Mario Cardoza receiving his cartoon artwork at the Career and Leadership Workshop from Vivian Meade and Ernestine White. 41Gia Flores-Arellano did critical work supporting key diversity and inclusion initiatives for the National Park Service. She did extensive research, built connections with partners, and worked across the entire park and all programs in putting together a Communications Plan for Native American Heritage Month. This project is beyond the scope of a single employee or season and took a true team dynamic to complete. Gia was an excellent driver for that team. - Earl Perez-Foust Mount Rushmore National MonumentKaren Fuentes embraced a number of responsibilities this summer, never hesitating to learn and apply new skills. She engaged our visitors and even mentored a volunteer. Karen became a valuable and trusted member of our work group.- Renee Albertoli, Independence National Historical Park A south Texas local, what a true gift it was to have Toni Ramos join our Turtle Team with the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore. We were all inspired by her hard work and commitment.- Cynthia Rubio Padre Island National Seashore

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Appreciation of Latinos’ Contributions to American History Through ArtArá Nibar is a traveling and performative award-winning artist.He is best known in Latin America and the Caribbean for his formal inspirational exhibits, live painting demonstrations using techniques acquired throughout his travels. Ará is also known for the elaboration of caricatures and live portraits, thus pleasing locals and tourists with fun memorable creations. Ará has also worked as an art teacher in Latin America, instructing kids and seniors on the secrets and techniques of painting in a simpler way. In collaboration with Puerto Rico based artist Ará Nibar, LHIP interns explored and shared historic contributions that Latinos have made to the makeup of the United States at the national park/site, or in the surrounding community where they are located, through painting, drawing, or mixed media artwork based on a signiﬁcant landscape, structure, historical event, or theme that has inspired them. LHIP interns, Vivian Meade and Stephen Poblete with their art projects during the Career and Leadership Workshop in Washington D.C. 42

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46Appendix 1: Interns ProﬁlesBering Land Bridge National Preserve, AKGisel Adame is currently a senior at Sacramento State University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. Growing up in California near Yosemite National Park, she often visited the park during the summers. The experience inspired her desire to contribute to environmental causes. As an LHIP intern, Gisel will share her love for the National Parks by creating engaging social media about fashion week, an initiative of Gates of the Arctic National Park. LHIP offers valuable opportunities for young Hispanic adults like her to make a positive impact on our planet and community. Gisel is passionate about fostering diversity and inclusivity in her surroundings. One of her goals is to show parks as a welcoming space for all ethnic groups. She loves to provide educational information to those who, like herself, are unaware of what is accessible to them. Her journey to Nome, Alaska not only involves creating imagery and producing media for NPS fashion week, but also aims to create lasting content. She hopes to improve her writing and digital experience skills and to incorporate Latino culture in her posts to impact the lives of young Latino students or communities who seek opportunities in conservation.Gisel AdameSACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, NCPia Cano is from Santa Ana, California and attends Clark University in Massachusetts where they are majoring in Race & Ethnic Studies with a minor in Art History and Global Environmental Studies. Their goal to work with parks stems from a deep appreciation for land, history, and what parks teach us about our present moment. They hope to support people to cultivate their own relationship to nature and the stories that live within different landscapes. As an LHIP intern, they will have the opportunity to teach people the rich and nuanced histories of Fort Raleigh, while also exploring the outer banks of North Carolina. Their everyday passions include reading, art-ing, humming, and hiking with friends. Pia CanoCLARK UNIVERSITY First State National Historical Park, DEMario Cardoza-Reyes graduated from Colorado State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Languages, Literature, and Cultures with a concentration in Spanish. As a ﬁrst-generation American veteran, this was a momentous accomplishment for Mario. He is exploring options for his master’s degree studies or career positions. Mario is interested in monitoring and implementing best management practices based on collected and synthesized data with Geographic Information System applications. With this, he could bring his military background to assist in steering the Department of Defense in an eco-friendlier mindset by working for the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands. He is also interested in being an interpretive ranger that focuses on DEIA in Latinx and under-served communities to make the outdoors more equitable. The end goal would be to work with the National Park Service or an equivalent sister organization where he can be a familiar face that energizes people to not only enjoy the outdoors, but to also be inspired to be future stewards of Madre Tierra, or Mother Earth. As a Latino Outreach Ambassador at First State National Historical Park, Mario will lay out the blueprint to implement outreach strategies in order to bolster future engagement. Mario is conﬁdent this internship will clarify and help him identify the career path he wants to take.Mario Cardoza-ReyesCOLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

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X47Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“..professional interests include National Park planning and sustainability, community-engaged conservation, ....outdoor environmental education.”— Maria Delgado Gomez, InternGrand Canyon National Park, AZDumari De Leon is from San Antonio, Texas and attends Rice University. She is majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She is also minoring in both Cinema and Media Studies, as well as Environmental Studies. As a ﬁrst-generation and low-income student, Dumari was excited to take her ﬁrst steps as a college student to make as many connections and take as many opportunities as possible. Dumari was excited to learn about LHIP and the opportunity to be part of conservation in places outside of Texas and suited to her background and identity as a Latina. As a camp art teacher in San Antonio, she is excited to expand her work in new places, especially one as beautiful as the Grand Canyon! In the future, she would like to continue on her educational journey by earning both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree. Dumari is interested in becoming a professor in order to effectively teach all of the knowledge she has acquired to those who also experience limited access and opportunities.Dumari De LeonRICE UNIVERSITY Grand Canyon National Park, AZPaciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance, WA Maria Delgado Gomez is a graduate student at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania’s Parks, Conservation, and Resource Management M.Sc. program. Her professional interests include National Park planning and sustainability, community-engaged conservation, and informal place-based outdoor environmental education. She decided to apply to the Paciﬁc West Region Planning and Environmental Compliance Fellowship this year because she cares deeply about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in our National Parks. She will be part of a cohort of interns supporting the National Park Planning and Special Studies Program and regional park planning programs this summer. She is excited to learn about the projects and planning processes that engage local communities and organizations to improve national park infrastructure and expand visitor access and opportunities. Maria seeks to work to further on-the-ground efforts to design and plan future national park units and support evidence-informed conservation and culturally competent resource and recreation planning. In the future, she hopes to ﬁnd a permanent position where she can work at the nexus of physical and social science to create a more inclusive future in the National Park Service. Outside of academia, she likes to spend time at home taking care of her houseplants and chatting with her friends and family. She does yoga and practices Italian daily. When she has extra time, she likes attending indie music concerts, hiking, climbing, and snowboarding.Maria Delgado GomezSLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY

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48Appendix 1: Interns ProﬁlesHeritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS), Washington DCSteven Esparza is enrolled in the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning. He is a candidate for a MARCH degree and a graduate certiﬁcate for Historic Preservation and Regionalism. He moved to the southwest from his home state of Illinois in 2019, because he cares deeply about the community development, design, and planning that is rooted in Hispanic and Latinx culture. These experiences, along with his goals to support thriving Hispanic communities, grew into a passion for historic preservation that centers diverse and ever-evolving Hispanic and Latinx identities. He is excited for the opportunity to work with LHIP, grow in his community practice, and build on his passion to illuminate Hispanic heritage and identity in the United States. Building on his community-based design experience, learning through work with the National Park Service, and making progress on his licensure are each important pieces of his goals to develop a future in which he can successfully and professionally contribute to the preservation and development of our country’s Hispanic structures, sites, and communities.Steven EsparzaUNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO Mount Rushmore National Monument, SDGia Flores-Arellano attends the University of El Paso in Texas. She is a ﬁrst-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Painting and a minor in Museum Studies. As a studio major, she is interested in learning and exploring the reality of how important art is. Painting has become an important part of her life that has helped her grow as an artist and a student. The Latino Heritage Internship Program will help her gain knowledge that she will use to inform her future career and academic studies. The interest she has in this LHIP is to learn more about the history of Mount Rushmore and how important national parks are for the public. She plans to attend graduate school to become a museum curator and has been interested in this career ever since she stepped into the International Museum of Art during a prior internship. As a museum curator, she wants to explore the world of artifacts, archives, and the history of what makes a museum.Gia Flores-Arellano UNIVERSITY OF EL PASOIndependence National Historical Park, PAKaren Fuentes graduated in Fall of 2021 with her Bachelors of Arts in History and is now a graduate student pursuing a Master in Arts for History at California State, Bakersﬁeld. Her interest in LHIP lies in the importance of promoting diversity, community, and conservation. Being part of the program will not only help her develop the skills of a historian, but will also allow her to serve as a representative of the Latino community. A personal goal of hers is to be able to connect with others who share the same experiences of a ﬁrst generation student and who may have similar experiences as she does. LHIP has given her the opportunity to be able to use the skills and knowledge she has gained as a historian and will also allow her to be an ambassador of the Latino community by allowing her to work with others and build connections. Her professional interests include ﬁnishing her Masters degree and then possibly proceeding to work towards her teaching credential. She would also like to continue to work in the ﬁeld of public history at the state or national level or work in the archives doing archival research. One day, she hopes to write a book about the immigration experience, using her family as the main contributors and her skills and knowledge as a historian.Karen FuentesCSU BAKERSFIELD

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49Appendix 1: Interns ProﬁlesBaltimore County Jewel Cave National Monument, SDJeffrey Garcia is from Montgomery County, Maryland and grew up in a Peruvian and Mexican household in the suburbs. As a kid, he was fascinated by history and science, discovering archaeology as a fun combination. He graduated from Hood College with a BA in Art and Archaeology and a concentration in Archaeology. After graduating in 2017, he began working at the Connie Morella Library in Bethesda, while helping his stepfather with his small company. Recently, he began graduate studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County as part of their Historical Studies program, with a Public History track. His area of interest is the American nineteenth century. His master’s thesis focuses on Benjamin Lundy and William Lloyd Garrison’s partnership in editing their antislavery newspaper, the Genius of Universal Emancipation. Jeffrey aims to advance his skills in public outreach and strives to be a part of the change needed to increase diversity and inclusion in the historical ﬁeld. Through his education, he has learned that there are accessibility issues with newly published scholarly works. Ultimately, he wishes to share historical knowledge with passionate people in ways traditional academia cannot reach them.Jeff GarciaUNIVERSITY OF MARYLANDBaltimore County Jewel Cave National Monument, SDMikaela Garcia is a second-year student at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas, where she is majoring in Geology. She is involved in GeoSociety, ECO Club, and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists. She has worked part-time as a cashier for the past three years and also has a work-study position as a research assistant in the College of Education. She was introduced to GIS during a class this year and has become very passionate about it. The LHIP internship with NPS and Environment for the Americas offers her a chance to continue learning about GIS and applying her skills in interesting, real-world projects. She would love to pursue GIS as a career and expand her knowledge and skills with the software. She hopes to attend graduate college and use GIS to support her research. In her free time, Mikaela enjoys making small crafts like jewelry, playing video games, reading, and spending time with her family.Mikaela GarciaUNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONCuyahoga Valley National Park, OHSoﬁa Gilroy, a student at Brown University, is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a focus on conservation biology and policy. She is excited about her LHIP position and the opportunity to contribute to an effort that will beneﬁt future scientiﬁc endeavors and educate the public about the natural world. Soﬁa has a passion for learning about the environment and connecting others to it. She is particularly looking forward to engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds who speak both English and Spanish. Additionally, she is excited to develop research skills and gain hands-on experience as a scientist this summer. This internship program offers her the chance to acquire critical experience that will shape her postgraduate plans and provide valuable technical skills and professional experience. Soﬁa aims to play a role in natural resource management and connecting people to wildlife, which is integral to this program. Soﬁa GilroyBROWN UNIVERSITY

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50Appendix 1: Interns ProﬁlesLincoln Boyhood National Memorial, INAna Guzman is a freshman at NIU. Her current goal is to major in Sociology with an emphasis in criminology and to obtain a minor in psychology. She plans to earn a certiﬁcate in criminology and is considering a career with the FBI. This program challenges her by taking her out of her comfort zone. She looks forward to the many lessons she will learn that will help her in life and in her career. Being away from family and having to build a community with other, new people is one aspect of the internship that excites her. Ana believes that LHIP offers amazing opportunities for minorities and allows participants to bring their own cultural knowledge to national parks. Ana looks forward to learning from other people about their cultures, to exploring her own skills, and to gaining new skills. She wants to gain better awareness of her own potential and the areas where she can improve.Ana GuzmanNORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITYNew Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, LAAlejandra Hernandez is a graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.A. in Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Guitar. Her primary interest in participating in LHIP includes gaining valuable professional development skills, establishing meaningful relationships with industry peers, and creating a positive impact on the communities we serve. Her career interests are to become a professional musician and educator.Alejandra HernandezNORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITYWASO Ofﬁce of Communications, Washington DCSophia Grande is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in Communications and Digital Media. As a second-year LHIP intern, Sophia is passionate about promoting diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility within the National Park Service. An avid nature lover, Sophia enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors. She believes that nature is an essential part of life and that everyone should have access to our parks and natural spaces. Sophia is committed to using her skills to promote the importance of having a diverse and inclusive National Park Service that welcomes people of all backgrounds.Sophia GrandeUNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND“...nature is an essential part of life and that everyone should have access to our parks and natural spaces.”— Sophia Grande, Intern

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51Appendix 1: Interns ProﬁlesHaleakalā National Park, HIJacqui James graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Natural Resources. Jacqui is interested in the Latino Heritage Internship Program because she wants more experience in parks, especially at a National Park. As a former resident of Hawai’i’s big island, Jacqui has observed that some visitors treat the islands like a playground instead of people’s homes. She believes that education in places that are highly visited is important. She wants to be involved in a science ﬁeld, preferably researching animals or ﬁsh, and is hoping that this internship will help shape her professional interests further. She is seeking a job that is outdoors, involves helping people, and is related to marine biology and natural ecosystems. Jacqui would like to contribute to the science of the many changes that will happen in our world during our lifetime.Jacqui JamesOREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Shenandoah National Park, VAGlen Kettering attends the University of Richmond and is majoring in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Over the past few years, he has been a volunteer and ranger at a state park in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia. These experiences have deepened his passion for conservation and have allowed him to work in the protection of our fragile environment. That is why interning with the National Park Service through the Latino Heritage Internship Program is essential for his professional career. Glen is looking forward to developing new skills, such as public speaking, leadership, and knowledge and will be doing so as a Hispanic. Through this program, also hopes to inspire other Hispanic people like himself to work in conservation or the park service ﬁeld. He also plans to continue working with parks and eventually be an environmental consultant, National Park Service executive, or park manager. His time as a Latino Heritage Intern will jump-start his pathway to a career!Glen KetteringUNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Lassen Volcanic National Park, CAXiomara Limon attends Los Angeles City College as a Child Development Major. Her true passion lies in spending time outdoors and sharing her love of the outdoors with others. Xiomara is a certiﬁed naturalist and has been part of a number of environmental programs regarding diversifying the outdoors, outdoor equity, educating local communities on environmental issues, and providing interpretive events to the public. She has worked on a variety of projects that focus on protecting native species, fuel reduction, tree planting, and seed dispersing and collecting. Her goal is to be able to share her knowledge of the outdoors with others, especially BIPOC communities that might lack the resources and support to enjoy the outdoors. She has provided bilingual guided hikes and found that people are more inclined to go outdoors and engage in recreational activities when they are seen and represented in outdoor spaces. LHIP provides the opportunity to help more communities feel welcome in outdoor spaces. In the future, Xiomara wants to work with national parks as a bilingual interpreter and help outdoor spaces be more inclusive. She knows that this program will provide her with the skills to grow as an interpreter and looks forward to an amazing summer.Xiomara Limon LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE

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52Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“...his father, who was a park ranger ... took him on hikes and told him stories of his experiences as a ranger.”— Jaegar Loran, InternLincoln Boyhood National Memorial, INJaegar Loran attends Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where he is majoring in Criminal Justice. He has always been very interested and involved with Mother Nature, because he was raised by his father, who was a park ranger. Jaeger’s father took him on hikes and told him stories of his experiences as a ranger in four national parks. Listening to these stories at a young age peaked Jaegar’s interest in the NPS. The Latino Heritage Internship Program stood out to Jaegar, because he is a Latino, and the program focuses on both the environment and Hispanic outreach. Jaegar’s professional interests include obtaining a permanent position with the National Park Service as a Park Ranger and working in the areas of preservation and protection of parks and the park visitors.Jaegar LoranBALL STATE UNIVERSITY Everglades National Park, FLVelania Madera is pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Environmental Systems and Sustainability at Southern Connecticut State University and a degree in Studio Art. Her academic objective is to earn a degree in environmental science while simultaneously cultivating a professional aptitude in traditional and digital forms of artistic expression. Because she is of mixed Dominican and Trinidadian backgrounds, she is particularly excited about the possibility of contributing a diverse Latino perspective to LHIP. Velania has experience as an interpretive naturalist at the Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut, where she was responsible for coordinating and presenting live presentations to educate the general public about native and exotic species of ﬂora and fauna. This prior work will support her position at Everglades National Park. Her long-term professional goals include working for the National Park Service. LHIP will be beneﬁcial for Velania in preparing the groundwork for achieving those goals and enabling her to advance both her professional and personal development.Velania MaderaSOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY Southeast Region Planning and Environmental Compliance Ofﬁce, GAJulia Martinez is a ﬁrst generation college student from Metro-Atlanta. She is currently studying Applied Math/Pre-Engineering at Georgia Gwinnett College. Her love for nature began when she was in Girl Scouts as a child. Through camping and outdoor experiences, she realized how important it is to unplug from technology and explore. She is enthusiastic about spending this summer interning as a Park Planning Fellow. She hopes to expand her leadership skills and land conservation knowledge through the internship and wants to pursue a career in the environmental ﬁeld as an Environmental Engineer and/or Urban Planner. She is interested in pursuing graduate school in the future and continue building her professional and academic skills. She is also passionate about preserving historical and cultural institutions for current and future generations to enjoy.Julia MartinezGEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE

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53Appendix 1: Interns ProﬁlesSalem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites, MAAsh Martinez graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelors degree in History and minor in Anthropology. She is a ﬁrst generation university graduate. Her interest in LHIP stems from her desire to give back to her community. Coming from a long line of migrant farm workers, Ash and her family did not spend much time outdoors, as they were focused on making ends meet. As an LHIP intern, Ash seeks to be the welcoming and familiar face for her community within the National Park Service. She wants to show people that the NPS sees and hears people from similar backgrounds as herself and that the outdoors and cultural heritage sites belong to all of us. After her internship, she will go on to the University of Edinburgh to pursue a Master’s in Social Anthropology. She expects to obtain a PhD in Anthropology and is passionate about history and teaching. Ash’s professional goal is to work in the public history sector with the NPS as an interpreter or in academia.Ashley MartinezNORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Zion National Park, UTCarla Navarette attended Utah Tech University, formerly Dixie State University and graduated with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Natural Science. The natural science aspect of her degree empowered her to do things and go places where she would have never gone before, from chasing butterﬂies with nets and camping on the cold ground in Monterey, California to visiting a salt mine in Central Utah. Her time at Utah Tech University was also ﬁlled with student activities, including positions in leadership and participation in clubs. Carla has dreamed of working at Zion National Park since she began her biology studies. She has a strong personal motto, which is to give back to what has been given to her, and Zion has always been a place where she has felt at peace. Professionally, she wants to continue to work for the National Park Service and to visit other national parks. In any workplace, she also looks for personal growth and what she can learn from the experience. She is excited to see what she can gain from this experience as well as what she can contribute to the program.Carla NavaretteUTAH TECH UNIVERSITYKlondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, AKRory Ornelas is a senior Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management student at Texas A&M University. They were raised in Austin, Texas, and have spent the past four years at College Station. Rory is interested in working in the National Park Service once they graduate and is hoping to use this internship to gain experience in this career path. Rory is excited to be have been selected to intern at the Klondike Gold Rush National Park at Skagway, Alaska. They hope to learn about the communication strategies the park uses with visitors and to help make educational materials for the park. They also are excited to explore the natural landscape around the park and the signiﬁcant Latinx history in Alaska. Rory OrnelasTEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY“Professionally, she wants to continue to work for the NPS... and she can contribute to the program.”— Carla Navarette, Intern

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XX54Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“professional interests lie in making archaeology accessible to the public ... how archaeology helps people understand contemporary cultures. ”— Her Diana Quintero-Bisono, InternZion National Park, UT Gabriella Parra attends the University of Arizona and is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Natural Resources with an emphasis on Conservation Biology, and a minor in Mexican American Studies. When Gabriella graduates, she will be joining a handful of women in her family who have earned a degree, including her sister and her mother. She will be the ﬁrst woman in her family to attain a degree in STEM, joining the small percentage of Latinas in this ﬁeld. As a student in natural resources, she has found her interest in environmental justice, and has added an interdisciplinary approach that combines both Mexican-American studies and natural resources. The more she researches environmental justice, the more she realizes how disproportionately her community has experienced adverse health and low access to healthy green spaces. Her ultimate goal is to make healthy, safe environments more accessible to underprivileged communities and then inspire a passion in the environment through education. It is her dream to serve as the connection between her community and national parks and to foster a love for the environment. She aims to inspire future generations of all backgrounds to feel welcomed in a healthy environment and wants to further diversify the sciences. Gabriella is excited that this internship brings her one step closer to reaching her goals of gaining a career in environmental justice and giving back to her community.Gabriella Parra UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Chaco Culture National Historic Park, NMDiana Quintero-Bisono is from Ponce, Puerto Rico and has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with concentrations in archaeological sciences, cultural anthropology, and bio-archaeology from Purdue University - West Lafayette. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Museum Studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Her professional interests lie in making archaeology accessible to the public. More speciﬁcally, she is interested in how archaeology helps people understand contemporary cultures. Her passion for research comes from a lack of understanding of her own heritage. Through her work, she believes archaeology has the power to create community and make stories about heritage meaningful to people. Diana Quintero-Bisono UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - BOULDER

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XX55Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“... career ambition is to study hydrology. As a coastal bend native, she recognizes the importance of access to clean water and conservation.”— Toni Ramos, InternPadre Island National Seashore, TXToni Nicole Ramos joins the Padre Island National Seashore this summer as the History Science Intern. As a proud Houstonian, she represents the University of Houston in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics. She will graduate in spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience and Chemistry. As an undergraduate, she has become very involved in campus activities. She is the Vice President of the Houston Women’s Club Volleyball and a columnist for the student magazine, Cooglife! Her career ambition is to study hydrology. As a coastal bend native, she recognizes the importance of access to clean water and conservation. She will begin her Master’s in environmental engineering to focus on desalination, wastewater management, and water treatment. Her greatest strength is being scrappy! She has learned that her resourcefulness allows her to explore new opportunities. The Latino Heritage Internship Program expresses the importance of accepting challenges and embodying perseverance to accomplish tangible milestones. One of the reasons that she is so honored to accept this internship is because she recognizes science as an extension of oneself. Her acceptance into LHIP represents the life her parents have encouraged her to strive for and it comes after late nights at the university library, caffeine dependencies, and a strong desire to experience what it feels to be a Mexican American scientist.Toni RamosUNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONNational Trails Ofﬁce, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, NMKarina Rodgers is ﬁnishing her Master’s at the University of New Mexico in Community Regional Planning, with a focus in historic preservation. She is passionate about centering cultural heritage and identity in planning to help build community capacity and empowerment. As a ﬁrst generation Mexican-American, she looks forward to working with Latino communities this summer to highlight underrepresented narratives that are central to the historical fabric and development of this country.Karina Rodgers UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

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XXX56Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“She is eager to delve into the ﬁeld of ecological research and bridge the gap between science and people. ”— Ellianni Rodriguez, InternDinosaur National Monument, UTEllianni Rodriguez graduated in 2021 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and since then has taught ﬁfth-grade science and social studies at a bilingual school in her hometown of Houston. Elli is a ﬁrst-generation Mexican-American who has a strong desire to make a positive impact on the environment and community. She is eager to delve into the ﬁeld of ecological research and bridge the gap between science and people. During her academic journey, Elli actively participated in research projects focused on urbanization, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability, gaining valuable ﬁeld experience and honing her skills in data analysis and experimental design. Through her experiences, she discovered her passion for ecology and the urgent need to address environmental issues around the world. As a teacher, she obtained ﬁrst-hand experience in communicating concepts in a way that was attainable and exciting for students. Elli envisions a future where scientiﬁc literacy and environmental awareness are ingrained in the Hispanic community. She aims to help achieve this vision by conducting research, creating bilingual educational resources, and engaging in community outreach initiatives that empower individuals to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts. By promoting inclusivity and understanding, Elli strives to foster a sense of environmental stewardship among others, emphasizing that everyone’s actions can contribute to a sustainable future.Ellianni Rodriguez UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Tonto National Monument / Solar Astronomy TechnicianYajali Rodriguez graduated from Saint Mary’s College in May 2023. She doubled major in Economics and Environmental Studies with a minor in general History. She grew interested in LHIP due to the connection to the National Parks and the focus on diversity through Latino/a/x individuals. She believes this inclusion can bring new guests and introduce them to the wonders of the National Parks. She has always known her interest involves people. Participating in the solar astronomy program will allow her to explore an interest that she has not had the resources to engage with. Yajali considers herself an open minded person due to many factors, including the inﬂuence of her family in Mexico who live in a rural area and family in Chicago, who live in an urban area. As a result, she appreciates both types of environments. Professionally, she is exploring career opportunities, and this internship allows her to further explore her interest in advocating for the environment.Yajali Rodriguez ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

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XXX57Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“... focused on the preservation, restoration, and densiﬁcation of historic urban areas. ...aims to embrace and integrate character-deﬁning elements... buildings, ”— Allison Toro Villada, InternHeritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS), Washington DCAllison is a graduate from Lehigh University with a degree in Architecture. Throughout her studies, she has focused on the preservation, restoration, and densiﬁcation of historic urban areas. Rather than erasing these areas, she aims to embrace and integrate character-deﬁning elements into the surrounding buildings, ultimately creating a sense of continuity between the past and present. Her work in recent years has led her to develop a keen interest in historic districts, which not only offer insight into the past, but also opportunities for future development. By participating in LHIP, she hopes to showcase her talent and understanding of building documentation, while also learning the interpersonal and observational skills necessary for professional advancement. Her upbringing in Colombia and experiences immigrating to the United States have given her a unique perspective on the hardships that immigrants face. Looking to the future, she hopes to become a valuable resource for under-served, lower socioeconomic areas. Giving back to communities and alleviating some of their struggles through building, renovating, restoring, or volunteering on housing, schools, public buildings, or utilities is at the core of her character. She believes architecture can transform communities and improve people’s lives. She is eager to use her skills, education, and experiences to make a positive impact and help build stronger, more sustainable communities.Allison Toro Villada LEHIGH UNIVERSITY Pullman National Historical Park, ILMarty is a student at Northern Illinois University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences with an emphasis on Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration. They also have an Associates degree in Horticulture and a certiﬁcate in Natural Areas Management. As a Latino Heritage Internship Program Intern, Marty is excited to pursue work experience with like-minded individuals and network with others of similar backgrounds as their own. This internship program offers an entryway for Latinx individuals to do good work caring for our environment, bringing in faces and backgrounds not often found in natural sciences and science communication. They are eager to expand and hone their skills and to work closely with others who have already been working in the natural sciences. The opportunity with Pullman National Historic Park is not only close to home for Marty, but also closely aligned with their professional and educational goals. They entered this ﬁeld of study hoping to become an interpreter and eventually want to work for the National Park Service. Their longterm professional goals include entering the ﬁeld of climate science communication and education to work with people of all ages and share how we can take care of our environment and society.Marty Trujillo NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

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X58Appendix 1: Interns Proﬁles“...ﬁnding innovative ways we can reduce human impacts and mitigate the effects of climate change.”—Adriana Villanueva-Cruz, InternBiscayne National Park, FLAdriana is an Environmental Sciences undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. She is interested in ecological and environmental topics, especially Conservation Ecology. She is also working on a minor in Human Rights to learn how to better confront the present social-environmental challenges. Her research experiences include tropical stream ecology, as well as the effects of human impact and disturbances on freshwater ecosystems. She is passionate about ﬁnding innovative ways we can reduce human impacts and mitigate the long-lasting effects of climate change. Her goal is to gain a diverse range of knowledge in the environmental and ecological ﬁelds involving freshwater, saltwater, and terrestrial ecosystems to participate in important ecological restoration and conservation. Adriana believes that individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives should be included when decisions involving social-environmental issues must be made. Also, she is eager to learn and gain much ﬁeld experience in climates that differ from the tropics. She seeks to utilize her experiences to pursue a graduate degree in the future. She is excited to grow as an environmental scientist, to meet new people, network, and learn more about our natural world with the Latino Heritage Internship Program. She hopes to share her knowledge and experiences to contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthier society as a Natural Resource Management Assistant in Biscayne National Park. Adriana Villanueva-CruzUNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO Grand Canyon National Park, AZMacEva graduated from the University of North Georgia, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. During her freshman year, she studied abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica, as part of a course called Tropical Cloud Forest Ecology. She developed a love for research and conservation through various projects, workshops with the naturalists onsite, and her program’s travels around the Puntarenas region. In the fall of 2021, she joined the McNair Scholars Program and began researching oysters with her mentors, Dr. Dalman, and Dr. Schulze. She has grown to understand that her deep passion for these ﬁelds lies within her desire to continue sharing the importance of scientiﬁc literacy, especially to those belonging to marginalized and underrepresented groups. Within the next ﬁve to ten years, MacEva intends to work toward earning a Master’s degree in conservation ecology and environmental studies and pursue a career in environmental policy and protection. Working as an intern at Grand Canyon National Park through LHIP will help her achieve those short- and long-term goals by allowing her to strengthen prior skills, gain new expertise, and learn new ways to communicate with others about science. She is very excited to start working with everyone involved in the program this summer, and cannot wait to share all that she will have learned from this experience in the future.MacEva WrightUNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA

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59World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) celebrates and brings attention to one of the most important and spectacular events in the Americas - bird migration. In addition to working with the National Park Service to manage LHIP, Environment for the Americas (EFTA) is the driving force behind World Migratory Bird Day. This celebration of migratory birds and their conservation is hosted around the world, and EFTA focuses its attention on countries across the Americas. The Spanish language materials we create for the program are particularly relevant to LHIP interns who offer education programs in diverse communities and highlight the many bird species that depend on habitats in national parks.This year, LHIP interns integrated World Migratory Bird Day into their programs, including youth activities, formal events, and Latino Conservation Week. Participating parks include:• Biscayne National Park • Cuyahoga Valley National Park• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial• Rocky Mountain National Park• Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites• Tonto National Memorial• Zion National ParkLHIP intern Ana Guzman hosting a World Migratory Bird Day at an outreach event with Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. World Migratory Bird Day “Educational Kits” were sent to interns at the parks/sites below to host events for Latino Conservation Week.Learn more at migratorybirdday.org and environmentamericas.org

2023 LHIP Report

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