Each year, Wild South hosts several interns to assist us in protecting the biodiversity of the Southeast. This year, we were fortunate to receive a talented crew of interns to work on the Grandfather National Scenic Area Campaign, form a Climate Change Team and study critical wildlife habitats. The Wild South internship program trains the next generation of environmental leaders, and is made possible by Fred & Alice Stanback, the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, the French Broad River Garden Club, and many others.

Each year, Wild South hosts several interns to assist us in protecting the biodiversity of the Southeast. This year, we were fortunate to receive a talented crew of interns to work on the Grandfather National Scenic Area Campaign, form a Climate Change Team and study critical wildlife habitats. The Wild South internship program trains the next generation of environmental leaders, and is made possible by Fred & Alice Stanback, the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, the French Broad River Garden Club, and many others. In their own words, here are the 2008 Wild South Interns:

Lynn Austin

I am originally from Baton Rouge, LA and am entering my second year of law school at Louisiana State University. Through my internship, I have had the opportunity to work on the Grandfather National Scenic Area campaign, which will preserve and protect 25,500 acres of the Pisgah National Forest near Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain. I am particularly interested in the preservation of the Pisgah Forest, as I have spent seven summers living in the area and believe that it is one of the most beautiful and pristine places in the country. I am also very interested in studying the environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina and plan to practice Environmental law in North Carolina or Louisiana pending graduation.

Maryanne Brown

I grew up in Roebling, New Jersey, less than two blocks from an environmental catastrophe, an abandoned steel mill declared by the EPA to need "super funds" to fix. This pollution proximity combined with my favorite TV show Captain Planet made me concerned about the environment at an early age. For Wild South, I researched the issue of wind energy on public lands. I recently graduated from Mars Hill College with a degree in English and I plan to use it as I pursue environmental law in California. I loved the mountains and am glad my sister lives in the area so I always have an excuse to visit! Exploring the area was truly my favorite thing about college.

Laura Clemmons

Growing up in rural western Kentucky, I had an early appreciation for my natural surroundings. With plenty of space to roam, I spent the majority of my childhood swimming and exploring the nearby wooded terrain. As an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky I enjoyed the rolling hills of the Bluegrass region. In the fall I will begin my final year of law school at the University of Louisville. I hope to use my legal education and journalism background to inform the public about the importance of protecting the natural landscapes many people take for granted.

My summer at Wild South has involved working on the Grandfather National Scenic Area campaign. Aside from the standard campaign work, I have worked on the production of a short documentary about the GNSA and its road to designation. Through my GNSA work I have had the opportunity to spend time in the High Country region and the Globe Forest. Living in Asheville has given me the opportunity to enjoy a new city and mountainous views. Although not a western North Carolina native, it didn’t take long to feel compelled to protect the beauty of these areas.

Matt Hutchins

While the environment and ecological processes are highly complex, there is straightforward understanding of the effects humans have on the environment. This understanding fueled my interests in both the natural world and efficient knowledge-based decision making regarding the environment.

These interests led to my completion of a B.S. degree in Environmental Studies from University of North Carolina-Asheville in 2008. After graduating, I joined the Climate Change Analysis project at Wild South to apply some of my knowledge and to gain new skills and experience before attending graduate school in 2009.

As an intern at Wild South, I am working on the communication and assessment of climate change in the Southeast and developing new tools to better plan for the future.

Antonia Lalagos

I grew up in the city of Chicago. I was first introduced to backpacking during a 2-week trip through Pisgah National Forest before my freshman year of college. I never knew how much I loved steep slopes and trees until I survived that trip. Thus began my interest in wilderness conservation.

This summer I am working with Wild South's Climate Change Team, which is assessing the impact of climate variability on our public lands. My area of interest is in climate change policy and carbon accounting. In the fall, I will return to finish my senior year at Duke University with a degree in Political Science.

Jared Mueller

I was born in Fort Collins, Colorado and grew up in Beaverton, Oregon. By spending a few high school summers working in the outdoors—caddying at the Portland Golf Club and battling invasive species in Portland's Forest Park, America's largest forested urban park—and hiking with friends, I grew to appreciate the environment firsthand. Now I'm a rising senior at Duke majoring in political science with minors in economics and Spanish.

Last summer I had the chance to work on the Grandfather National Scenic Area campaign, and was thrilled when Wild South offered me the opportunity to come back this year. This summer I am coordinating an economic study of the GNSA project, and marshaling the support of local businesses for the Scenic Area designation.

Nate Ranney

I am a rising Sophmore at Duke University where I am majoring in Environmental Science and Policy. As an Asheville native, I was a community columnist for the Asheville Citizen Times while in high school. I joined up with Wild South's Climate Change Team this summer and took on the responsibility as the outreach coordinator for the project. I designed a public survey and was able to get an Op-Ed published in the Asheville Citizen Times. The article focused on the issue of climate change and how Wild South is helping forest managers and the public work together to face the challenges it brings.

Robin Serne

I grew up in Raleigh, NC and spent most of my time outdoors and in the creek. My parents brought me on hikes and bike rides regularly throughout my childhood in the Piedmont and I gained a strong sense of place in North Carolina. We took annual family vacations to camp and hike in the mountains and I cultivated an appreciation for the natural beauty around me. My summers were always filled with marine biology and science camps, thus beginning my environmental education early in life. After finishing high school I moved to Asheville to attend University of North Carolina-Asheville. I am majoring in Environmental Studies with a focus on Policy and Management. After UNC-A, I plan on going to graduate school. I want to continue working to protect the environment, hopefully in the Asheville area. During my free time I like to cook vegan dishes, garden, sew, hike, see music, and read.

This summer at Wild South I am doing field work on the cerulean warbler, green salamander, and hellbender. I am also working to begin organizing the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Summit. Working with Wild South has provided me many wonderful opportunities to be outside and get to know the forests surrounding Asheville.