Christina Kuchle: “In the Department of Forestry, I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Mary Arthur and Dr. Sarah Bray from Transylvania University to examine the effect of bush honeysuckle on mycorrhizal infection rates in native tree species.”

Thomas Wedeking: “For my research project, I worked with Dr. Larry Grabau. I wrote a book proposal for a book I will hopefully write someday about the biblical view of conservation, what the Bible says about how man ought to deal with the earth.” 

Joe Hacker: “I worked with a water quality improvement project for the Upper Rose Run watershed in Bath County. I assisted Jeff Brittingham, and the Olympia health department in doing site evaluations for septic tank installations as well as other duties including water sampling.”

Katie Harvey: “This summer I had the opportunity to take part in the Research Experience for Undergraduates Program at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire. I worked on my own research project where I investigated, “How near-stream zone soil development could better define riparian zones in northern hardwoods?” This was a great opportunity to better understand the type and attitude of NRC research in real life.”

Amy Haynes: “My experience as an intern was great! Starting in January I worked with Jim Lempke at the University of Kentucky Arboretum. The focus of the internship was on management of invasive plant species in the fourteen acre woods. My tasks included manual removal of honeysuckle, wintercreeper, and garlic mustard. While working at the Arboretum I also learned ways to manage the plants, and saw techniques being used in the woods.”

Levi Henderson: “Throughout the summer I worked for the Mercer County Health Department with the Senior Environmentalist Tony White, and assisted in providing the community with public health and safety services and implementing environmental programs. While performing my internship I was familiarized with community planning, regulatory agencies, and environmental policy in action; while focusing on evaluating soil for the land application and treatment of waste.”

Abby Kostecka: “In April, May, and June of this year I was an environmental education intern for Danielle Hutchins at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass in Versailles, Kentucky. I helped plan and implement environmental programs to primary, middle, and high school age students which were designed to fit into Kentucky’s core curriculum education requirements. I also worked in their native plant gardens by planting, identifying, tagging, and maintaining the plant beds.”

Jason Lee Lucas: “This summer I worked on research project with Saratha Kumudini in the UK Plant and Soil Sciences Department to study the affects of E-genes and photoperiod on the post-flowering phases of development of soybeans.”

Laura Peot: “Last semester I worked for Dr. Julia Parrish in the main office of the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team at the University of Washington. I worked with the citizen science program in gathering data and assessing coastal bird migratory patterns in effort to monitor coastal ecosystem health. This involved work inside the office as well as surveying beaches on the Puget Sound and the Pacific coast.”

David Riegel: “Over the summer, I worked with a graduate student from the University of Missouri doing research on stream salamander populations in the mountains of western North Carolina. We sampled various streams that flow through ten golf courses, trying to observe any correlation between golf course management techniques and salamander population dynamics. We were stationed at the Highlands Biological Station. I also conducted a 'pilot' contingent valuation study among members of a golf course community. The main goal of my research centered on trying to determine household willingness-to-pay to realize improvements in local water quality and improved health of local salamander populations. The survey also included other aspects that I use in my analysis to draw some connections between peoples' backgrounds, preferences, and willingness-to-pay for environmental improvements.”

Rebecca Sims: “Over the summer I had the privilege to work at Elmwood Stock Farm in Scott County. My duties ranged from collecting and cleaning eggs to setting up shares for those participating in the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program and then selling the remaining produce and meats at Farmer’s Markets. It was an excellent opportunity to gain firsthand experience on how growing organically is implemented in real settings, rather than simply learning about the theory.”

Nathan Strange: “I spent the summer working for the Natural Bridge State Resort Park as a seasonal naturalist. I was given a wonderful opportunity to learn a great deal about the parks history, plant and tree identification, invasive species removal, bird banding, and venomous snake removal. My main task of the summer was to relay the information I was learning back to the public as a trail tour guide.”

Austin Van Meter – “This past summer I interned with the Environmental Management Division at the Fort Knox U.S. Army Base. During my internship, I spent time monitoring construction sites to make sure contactors were following EPA regulations. I oversaw several mold abatement jobs in offices, warehouses, and sleeping quarters around the base. Furthermore, I was responsible for monitoring fuel storage tanks around base and completing performance tests when necessary.”

David Wayne: “During the 2009 Spring Semester I was given the opportunity to work for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service in Lexington, Kentucky. I assisted the District Conservationist in conservation planning, cost-share contract review, and new contract development for Federal and state government cost-share programs.”

Sarah Wightman: “This summer I worked for the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection in the Division of Compliance Assistance in Frankfort, KY, where I completed projects that will help individuals, businesses, and industries go above and beyond compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.”