This spring, Inland Northwest Land Conservancy welcomed Hannah Jurado as an intern at Glen Tana, where she gained hands-on experience in conservation, restoration, and stewardship work. Hannah is currently studying at Gonzaga University.

Supporting future conservation leaders is an important part of shaping the future of this work, and throughout her internship, Hannah experienced firsthand the partnerships, volunteers, and community connections that make conservation possible. Here, Hannah reflects on her internship experience and the lessons she’ll carry forward. Thank you, Hannah, for joining INLC!

A Reflection with INLC Intern Hannah Jurado

During the spring semester I was an intern for the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC) working primarily on their Glen Tana property. Throughout my time with INLC, I assisted with preserve management tasks, including noxious weed control, trail maintenance, and the native plant nursery expansion. The nursery expansion included digging trenches, installing railroad ties to create retaining walls, and assisting with potting bareroot plants. Through this internship, I gained valuable experience and a better understanding of the operations behind nonprofit organizations aimed at conservation. This internship allowed me to connect my coursework from the last four years to professional and practical experiences.

One of the biggest takeaways from my coursework, specifically my Environmental Justice and Environmental Perspectives and Behavior courses, is the importance of community involvement in environmentalism. I believe that INLC is a great example of why community involvement is crucial. I assisted with two plant potting events, and each had over 20 volunteers, despite taking place on Thursday mornings from 9 am to 2 pm. It was clear that there is a strong volunteer base and strong relationships with other companies in the surrounding area. Thomas Hammer provided coffee and the pots we used for planting were donated from local nurseries. Participating in this internship allowed me to see that these partnerships are crucial when it comes to fostering collaboration and reducing costs, making conservation-focused projects possible.

One element that surprised me about working with INLC was the cost of conservation projects and all the hurdles that accompany them. When I first began working on the Glen Tana property, there was a large house and swimming pool on the property. Over the course of a month, I witnessed a complete transformation of the land, while also seeing the regulations and obstacles that accompanied the project. This was a real-life manifestation of the laws and regulations we study in my Environmental Law and Policy course, particularly the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. I noticed many of the elements we discussed in class being brought up during meetings with contractors about permitting and buffer zones near the river. Additionally, I learned more about how conservation projects are managed in a way that is feasible for nonprofit organizations. Working with a Washington Conservation Corps crew and community partners such as Pheasants Forever helped reduce labor and equipment costs during the nursery expansion.

Entering my senior year, I was not well informed about noxious weeds and invasive species, as I did not take many courses focused on botany. However, my senior capstone at Reflection Lake and my internship with INLC helped deepen my understanding of invasive species and native plants. There were various days where we walked through Glen Tana and Waikiki Springs to identify invasive species and complete trail maintenance. It was interesting to observe how invasive species spread and outcompete native plants, and to see the detrimental effects they can have on stream banks and surrounding vegetation. Being able to observe these issues in person added depth to my understanding and prompted me to think more critically about possible solutions.

Another element that stood out to me was INLC’s approach to building community partnerships. INLC frequently brings people to Glen Tana through guided hikes and docent programs, allowing individuals to form deeper connections to the land and better understand the importance of protecting the natural environment. I had the opportunity to discuss this program with one of the volunteer hike docents, which helped me understand the various ways INLC connects individuals to conservation work through volunteering, advocacy, partnerships, and monetary support. I hope to go into environmental policy in the future, and it was helpful to see successful ways to get people to care about environmental issues and relate these larger issues to their local communities.

My time at Inland Northwest Land Conservancy provided me with formative experiences that influenced how I view conservation, allowed me to gain knowledge about the inner workings of nonprofit organizations, and taught me how I hope to conduct my career in the future. My biggest takeaway is the importance of community. None of the work completed in the last few months would have been possible without the help of volunteers and community partners. I learned many valuable lessons working with INLC that I will remember as I graduate and begin my career.