Internship Program

FONWR Internship Program and Career Pathways

Mentoring future conservation leaders.

Interns sponsored by Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge make a huge impact for conservation at your national wildlife refuge. Most interns are college students involved with Biology, Conservation, or Environmental Studies programs.

While gaining valuable work experience and assisting refuge staff with projects, refuge interns live and work at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for 13 week terms. Internship opportunities are offered at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge year-round as funds are available. While the refuge provides free housing for interns, they do not have funds available to pay them for their time. The offer of free housing and a modest Friends-funded living stipend while learning about conservation is a huge draw for students across the country. Through the generous support of our donors, Friends of Ottawa NWR sponsors 6-10 internships annually.

The Friends also offer a Career Pathways Program, or an extension of the intern program, which allows for outstanding interns who have completed two or more Friends internships assume a leadership role while continuing their work at the refuge for a term of 12-24 months. These individuals mentor new interns while collectively working towards the refuge's goals, and continue to hone their skills needed for the workforce at the same time.

For more information about current internship opportunities please contact:

Rebecca Lewis
Visitor Services Specialist
14000 West State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
419-898-0014 ext 17
Rebecca_lewis@fws.gov

As we celebrate 10 years of the Intern Program in 2023, we reached out to program participants to see what they are up to! Our interns have gone on to do great work for conservation and our community. Read notes from former interns and watch their video updates to see where they are now and how the refuge and Friends group helped to influence their careers.

Dustin Braden (2018-2019)
Dustin served as a Visitor Services Intern and Marketing Intern for the refuge and the Friends in 2018-2019. Watch his video update to see what he is up to now!

Carrie Miller (2014)
"I served as an Education & Outreach Intern at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in the Spring and Summer of 2014. Since that time, my life has been quite an adventure. I started and completed a PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Minnesota in which I spent a total of ~20-months studying wild gelada monkeys at the Guassa Conservation Area in Ethiopia and completed genetic analyses on monkeys in this study population at Duke University. Currently, I am the Genetics Lab Manager and Teaching Specialist in the Anthropology Department at the University of Minnesota, supporting our molecular anthropology research labs that focus on ancient and modern human DNA, while also supporting our largest enrolling class: Human Evolution. I likely would not have become the educator and manager that I now am without the time I spent as an intern at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. As an intern, I learned how to develop, create, and present educational materials that are understandable to a wide audience of various ages and backgrounds. For example, I took the skills I learned at Ottawa to create outreach materials and activities as part of a Saturday-with-a-Scientist event at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, MN, including an activity booklet to be completed by children (and adults) and several interactive displays where the public could learn all about primates. Upon completing the activities, they would then receive a “Junior Primatologist” button! Observing the excellent team of managers at work at Ottawa also allowed me to develop my own management style, which has been useful for managing students, graduate student instructors, researchers, and the many people involved in our genetics laboratories. Finally, and as silly as it sounds, the time I spent learning to identify the many birds and animals at Ottawa to support visitors during the massive spring migration allowed me to see the world ever so slightly differently. While it seems to be my husband’s greatest nightmare that I become a serious birder, it brings me great joy that my attention is now caught by the occasional yellow warbler or the goofy songs of the Sandhill Crane."

Carrie Miller, Ph.D.
Genetics Lab Manager & Teaching Specialist
Department of Anthropology
University of Minnesota

Beth Parker (2016)
"I was a Visitor Services and Environmental Education Intern in February - August 2016. I recently graduated from Kent State University with my Master of Library and Information Science degree. I am now the Technologies and Outreach Educator for Norweld, or the Northwest Regional Library System. Although I no longer work in environmental education, I will always treasure my time as an intern at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. I learned a lot about teamwork, teaching, and developing programs while I was there. I’m still friends with several of the staff and Friends group members. In fact, one of my mentors wrote a letter of recommendation for me that helped me get into grad school! Since I live in the area, I try to volunteer during the Biggest Week in American Birding, so you may see me around the refuge during that time. Thank you to the Friends group and staff at Ottawa for allowing me the opportunity to learn and grow during my internship there!"

Nicholas Moore (2016)
Nick was a Visitor Services Intern in 2016 and now works as a gardener for the National Park Service at the Roger Williams National Memorial, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Watch his video update to learn more!

Claire Caryer (2016)

Hi! My name is Claire Caryer and I was an intern at Ottawa Wildlife Refuge in the fall of 2016. As a sophomore in college, I thought I had a career plan picked out but the more I dove into it, I learned it wasn’t for me. As I reflected on my internship at the Refuge I realized how much I loved interacting with visitors and showing them the unique experiences that were available in their own backyards! From there I began volunteering and ultimately working at Metroparks Toledo teaching outdoor recreation activities like kayaking, tree climbing, and backpacking. After 3 years of having so much fun playing outside, I now work at Toledo GROWs, a nonprofit focused on supporting community gardens and breaking down barriers to fresh, nutritious food. As the educator on staff, I teach elementary students about gardening and where their food comes from. Through my internship at Ottawa Wildlife Refuge, I learned I love talking with people and introducing them to all of the amazing outdoor spaces and activities in Northwest Ohio. I have enjoyed every one of my environmental education positions and I discovered this field and passion because of my internship at the Wildlife Refuge.

Thomas Worsham (2017)

Thomas was an intern for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in 2017. After completing a summer doing outdoor education, he finished his degree in biology and went into a master’s program for education with a focus on outdoor recreation and education with college students. Post graduation, he worked for Bowling Green State University doing outdoor recreation for the Department of Recreation and Wellness and worked with the Wood County Park District as their Adventure Recreation Specialist. Thomas is currently working for Youngstown State University as their Adventure Recreation Coordinator and still loves birding and visiting the Lake Erie marshes whenever he has the chance.

Mikayla Peaslee (2017-2018)
"Working at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge can only be described as a dream job for me. I graduated from Unity College in Maine with a degree in Wildlife Management and moved out west right after graduation to pursue my dream. I worked at ONWR as a Hunt Coordinator and Visitor Services Volunteer during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018. With these positions my responsibilities included guiding hunters to their hunting blinds the mornings of their hunt, working with youth hunters and educating them about the outdoors, and just helping visitors around the refuge overall. Being able to work with youth and pass my love for the outdoors on to them definitely was the perfect job for me and pointed me toward the road I am now. Currently I work as an Ed Tech in Maine at a facility that specializes with children with special needs. I am working toward getting my teacher's certificate so I will be able to have my own classroom in the near future. Along with gaining my teacher's certificate, I am also aiming to gain my Maine Guides license in fishing, hunting and recreation. With this title I hope to start my own program working with underprivileged youth and disabled children to give them a chance to experience the great outdoors just like I had growing up in Central Maine. Without Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, God only knows how long it would take me to learn the career path I was born for and truly discover exactly what a difference I want to make in the lives of children I can have a positive impact on."

Holly Walp (2018)
"I was an Hunting Program intern at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in September of 2018 and returned as a seasonal Biological Science Technician. After graduating from the University of Florida I knew I wanted to explore away from home, and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge gave me the opportunity to put my Natural Resources degree to work, get practical field experience (and a place for a fresh college graduate to live). As an outdoorswoman, I fell in love with the habitat and seasons that Ohio has to offer. Following my time on the Refuge, I worked for U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, ODNR Law Enforcement, and I currently work as a Probation Officer for Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. I officially put my roots down in Ohio in 2021 by purchasing a home, and I am happy to announce that in August of 2023 I married my husband who I first met while I was an intern on the Refuge! I owe so much to the Internship Program and want to thank everyone that has kept it going for the last 10 years!"

Matt Siefert (2018)
"I was a Visitor Services Intern for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in summer of 2018. I currently work as an aquatic biologist for a private company in Chardin, Ohio. The biggest takeaway from this internship that led me to where I am today was interacting with the public and getting into environmental education." Watch Matt's full video update for more!

Owen Segaard (2018-2019)

"Currently, I am a Maintenance Worker at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in SE Iowa. It is an 18,000 acre refuge split up between 5 divisions. We are undergoing a lot of catch-up with habitat management here at Port Louisa. The refuge has been a bit neglected and impacted by absurd flooding over the years. Our infrastructure is quite outdated as well, so a lot of my time has gone towards replacing, repairing and maintaining the things that help us manage the refuge properly. I would like to add that I still reminisce about my time as volunteer at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and how it was a driving factor in where I am now. Being able to get my start with the United States Fish and Wildlife through the Friends group is something I'll always be grateful for.

Just a couple of days ago I was looking back at when I got to drill seed at the Fox Property. What an honor it was to work for the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge!"

Logan Sauer (2020)

Logan Sauer started his Visitor Services Internship at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge just days before the coronavirus pandemic shut down public operations in March of 2020. His internship pivoted to doing a lot of public outreach online, and he proved his ability - quickly! He is now Visitor Services Manager at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in New York. Check out this recent article to learn more about his journey.

Tucker Mills (2023)

"My internship was absolutely amazing to experience, and it definitely helped me refine what I want to do in the future. Not only did it help me realize I'd love to work for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, but it also helped me realize I want to work not just with animals but with people as well. Right now I'm doing a capstone project at OSU that involves working with a local organization to help do some public education on stream bank erosion, as well as come up with plans and research to help mitigate that erosion from happening."

Mary Shawaker (2023)

Hello! My name is Mary Shawaker, and I had the pleasure of working at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge this summer as a Visitor Services Intern. I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I gained at this beautiful refuge while working alongside the welcoming and knowledgable U.S. Fish and Wildlife Staff and Friends of Ottawa NWR. I have especially loved helping create and lead educational programs for youth, related to the refuge ecosystems and wildlife. It was rewarding to see children and their families enjoying the activities and crafts I designed, such as miniature clay wetland models and pipe cleaner wildflowers. In addition to education programs for kids, I presented on the Seek the Refuge Virtual Webinar Series for the Friends of ONWR. To fellow ONWR Staff and frequent visitors of the refuge, I discussed my time studying abroad in Ushuaia, Argentina, investigating climate change and water pollution. This ONWR internship has also enabled me to connect with people throughout the Northwest Ohio Region who are enthusiastic about conserving wildlife and protecting the planet. For instance, I surveyed residents of Genoa about their recycling practices for an OSS Solid Waste District Recycling Drop-Off Event. I was inspired by the determination of the Genoa Community to enhance their recycling initiatives. I also was able to participate in trash cleanup events in East Toledo and along ONWR’s Crane Creek, working with groups such as H2Ohio to promote environmental stewardship. This internship has motivated me to continue pursuing an environmental career, safeguarding our world’s vital ecosystems. Specifically, my fellow Visitor Service Interns and I traveled to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office in Bloomington, Minnesota for an Internship Conference, where we learned about the variety of careers in the Service while networking with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employees and Interns. I would love to continue working in the future as a full-time employee with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Working at the refuge’s protected wetland habitats, as a sanctuary for migratory birds and aquatic mammals, has prompted me to follow my passions protecting wetland ecosystems, especially as crucial filters of water pollution. I am thankful to the Friends of ONWR for offering me this very valuable internship and I will always carry with my the fulfilling experiences I have gained here at Ottawa NWR. My time at the refuge has also inspired me to visit other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuges, along with U.S. National and State Parks, such as Bear Lake and Antelope Island State Park in Utah, National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Trevor Zook (2020 - Present)

"My name is Trevor Zook, and I have been an intern/contractor with Ottawa NWR through the Friends Group for three years now. I have been able to be a part of many programs at the refuge through my internships, and now as a part of the Friends Career Pathways Program I am accomplishing even more. My primary focus has been invasive species removal, but I have also managed the hunt program as well as led many programs and events. Through the Career Pathways Program, I have been able to experience a what I believe to be a more authentic work environment that has truly helped prepare me for my future career in natural resource management, as well as further my training and acquire new certifications. I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife management, and my time at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has solidified that in more ways than I expected."