2012 Interns

Mary Anderson, Wildlife Management Intern

Coastal Carolina University

I am a Biology major at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. I’m originally from Attleboro, MA where I have a wonderful family. Some of my favorite things are going to the beach, playing volleyball and lacrosse, reading, listening to music, eating bacon, and going on adventures with my friends. I’m absolutely stoked to be working at the BHI Conservancy this summer!

Melissa Donner, Education Intern

Humboldt State University

I’m currently a sophomore at Humboldt State University in Northern California majoring in Environmental Management and Protection with an emphasis in Environmental Education and Interpretation. I hope one day to have a career in which I can inspire others to love and protect the environment. In my free time I enjoy hiking, climbing, backpacking, and volunteering teaching kids! I am very excited to spend my summer at Bald Head Island and learn about an entirely new ecosystem! 

Ryan Walsh, Sea Turtle Intern

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

 I am from Southern Pines, NC and am a December graduate from UNC Wilmington; I have a B.S. in Marine Biology with a minor in Psychology. I have been in love with the ocean for as long as I can remember and am very passionate about all things related to marine science. I am applying for graduate school back at UNCW and hope to one day be an ichthyologist. Besides exploring the ocean, I play the viola and have a first-degree black belt in Combat Hapkido. Cruising the beach and doing science all summer is going to be incredible!

 Peter McCall, Sea Turtle Intern

University of Wyoming

I was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, home of Cardinal baseball.  Currently a sophomore at the University of Wyoming, I am majoring in Biology with a focus on Wildlife Pre-veterinary Medicine and a Minor in American Indian Studies. I love all aspects of beach life, but to me fishing is far more enjoyable than everything else combined. My interests include backpacking, camping, kayaking, soccer, lacrosse, and spending time with dogs--especially my dog Newton.  I cannot wait to be a part of the Conservancy’s intern class of 2012!

Stephanie Liszewski, Sea Turtle Intern

Arizona State University

 Hello! I am a student from Arizona State University. I am studying biology with a concentration in conservation biology and ecology, but I have a wide variety of academic interests including geography and French. I plan to graduate in May, 2013 and work in animal rehabilitation and care. My dream job would be to help develop methods to prevent human caused animal injury, particularly with marine animals. I also like to hike, bike, paint, and I am constantly trying to challenge myself to be more creative. North Carolina and Bald Head Island will be a huge change of scenery for me, but I am looking forward to every minute of it.

Brooke Davis, Education Intern

Colorado State University

I’m so excited to be working my dream internship this summer! I’m from Colorado, so living and working at Bald Head Island will be a totally new experience for me, but one I know will be unforgettable. I’m a senior at Colorado State University, majoring in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism with an Environmental Communication concentration (say that 5 times fast!). I’m involved in many activities on campus, but by far the most rewarding has been leading Alternative Break service-learning trips around the country every year during Spring Break. After graduation, I hope to serve in the Peace Corps and eventually go on to grad school in an environmental field. I believe that connecting people with nature is one of the most important things we can do to create positive change in this world, and I hope to bring that passion into my work with the Bald Head Island community this summer!  

Taylor McCoy, Sea Turtle Intern

Barry University

I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona, odd for a desert rat to be interested in marine conservation, I know.  However, my passion for marine life came about my junior year in high school when our honors biology class took a trip to Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI).  While at CIMI my love and overall concern for the well being of marine ecosystems truly started, and ultimately also sparked my interest in the need for sea turtle conservation.  After I graduated high school I attended Cottey College, a two-year all women’s college in Missouri, and graduated in 2010 with my AS.  I then transferred out to Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida and will graduate next fall with my BS with a specialization in marine biology.  I am very much looking forward to everything I can offer and gain from Bald Head Island Conservancy, and can’t wait to get started!! 

Taylor Gaukel, Education Intern

The College of William and Mary 

I have lived outside of Washington, D.C. all my life, but spent every family trip to the beach on Bald Head Island.  I am a rising junior at the College of William and Mary, majoring in Public Policy.  I am passionate about wildlife conservation, especially protecting marine life, and I love teaching kids about the environment they live in.  Last summer I was a counselor at a sleep-away Girl Scout camp.   It has always been a dream to intern at the Conservancy, and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity this year! 

Jonathan Bustle, Kayak Guide/Education Intern

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington 

My name is Jonathan Bustle and I’m from Raleigh, North Carolina.  I am currently a junior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington; my major is Environmental Science with a minor in Geography. I have a brother, a sister, two dogs, and am close with my whole family.  I love being active - I am involved in my school’s triathlon team, and I play Ultimate Frisbee and run whenever I get the chance.  I hold a position as a Resident Assistant in one of the upperclassman apartments where I try to bring all of my residents together as one big happy community.  I enjoy my time learning about the sciences or just reading a good book.  I look forward to this summer on Bald Head and the experiences I’m going to have!

Jennie LaRoche, Education Intern

Hope College

I was born and raised in Hudsonville, Michigan, located on the west side of the state. I am a senior at Hope College and will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Throughout my life I have been blessed with many opportunities to explore and study the world around me. Through these experiences, I was left with a wonder for the natural world. From this wonder stems a deep passion to learn all I can about the world around me and share it with others! I plan on pursuing a career in Outdoor Education and furthering my education in the Ecology/Zoology field(s). In my free time I enjoy the outdoors, being active, and trying new things. I am looking forward to an exciting and fun-filled summer at the Bald Head Island Conservancy!

Jaymie Reneker, Sea Turtle Intern

Iowa State University

I am originally from Grimes, Iowa and go to school at Iowa State University. I am graduating from ISU in May of 2012 with a major in Biology and a minor in Animal Ecology. I love animals! I also love to travel. My favorite vacations always have something to do with the ocean and wildlife. I like snowboarding and going for outdoor adventures. I have worked with many inland turtles for 2 years now and I am looking forward to working with sea turtles in a coastal environment. 

Emily Chapin, Education Intern

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

I am a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and am pursuing a degree in Environmental Health Science with a minor in Biology.  I am thrilled to be spending my summer at the Bald Head Island Conservancy because I want to promote a sustainable relationship between humans and the environment.   I find comfort by the water, as I have grown up swimming, spent a year on UNC’s rowing team, and now am treasurer of the UNC Women’s Water Polo team.  Drinking coffee, running, reading a good book, and watching Modern Family are some of my favorite things to do.

Amanda Corll, Sea Turtle Intern

Brenau University

I am from Cartersville, Georgia and am a rising senior at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA.  I am majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology.  I have been volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium since I graduated from high school and have been involved in several projects focusing on the swimming behavior of whale sharks and African penguins.  I have enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Hawaii, and Italy through college classes and learning more about various ecosystems.  I look forward to learning more about sea turtle conservation and discovering Bald Head Island for the summer!

Michael Perez, Education Intern

California State University Long Beach

Currently I’m a sophomore at California State University, Long Beach where I’m majoring in Biology with an option in Education.  After school I hope to become a high school Biology teacher. I love anything outdoors, especially swimming and rollerblading. I’m definitely looking forward to spending my summer on Bald Head Island working with kids, gaining more experience with environmental education, and learning more about island conservation strategies!

Kileigh Browning, Wildlife Management Intern

Elon University

I was born in Sarasota, Florida, but moved to Winston-Salem, NC as a kid. I am a junior at Elon University and am studying Environmental and Ecological Science. Most of my time outdoors has been spent exploring the Appalachian Mountains and I cannot wait to see what Bald Head Island has to offer! I am passionate about conserving our natural resources and understanding the ecosystems where we live. I love running outside, cooking new recipes, and laughing at funny jokes!