✨ Amanda’s Testimonial
“This internship has not only solidified my goal of pursuing a career in conservation and ecosystem restoration but has also given me practical skills and experiences that will support me in that path.”
Interning with EwA this summer has been an invaluable experience in building my skills as both an ecologist and a botanist, as well as joining a community of individuals who care deeply about the environment. I spent three days each week in the field monitoring the phenology of various trees, documenting plant-insect interactions, and learning about the ecology of our local flora and fauna. This gave me the chance to slow down and observe seasonal changes with much greater attention to detail than I had ever done before. Throughout my time in the field, I greatly improved my skills in the identification of plants, birds, and insects, and I deepened my understanding of the seasonal life cycles (phenology) of each species we monitor.
When I was not in the field, I worked with the data collected through EwA’s participatory science program to build phenology calendars for species such as Pignut Hickory and Red Maple. I also created a field guide to help with the identification of common trees in the greater Boston area. These projects taught me the importance of making science accessible to others, and I was able to see how my contributions could directly support both research and community education. This internship has not only solidified my goal of pursuing a career in conservation and ecosystem restoration but has also given me practical skills and experiences that will support me in that path.
Claire puts an enormous amount of effort into mentoring each intern and takes great care to tailor the internship to our personal educational goals. I cannot fully express my gratitude for the mentorship and guidance she has provided throughout this summer. I am also incredibly thankful to the EwA leaders and participatory scientists I worked with each week, including Joanne, Dunja, Carolyn, Jennifer, Kathy, Sarah, Kathleen, and Yvonne. Working alongside them and asking questions about the natural world together helped me learn in ways I could not have achieved on my own.
As my internship comes to a close, I feel grateful for everything I have learned and for the relationships I have built within this community. I am excited to continue being a part of the EwA naturalist community, no matter where I go, and I know the lessons from this summer will stay with me for years to come.
– Amanda Mackie | August 22nd, 2025
2025 Phenology Intern at EwA □ Environmental Biologist □ Master of Science, MIT