Shaping the Future of Conservation

A Summer Stewarding the Land With Intern Sami Masiarek

This summer, we welcomed stewardship intern Sami Masiarek, whose curiosity and love for the Inland Northwest brought her to our work. She grew up in Spokane and developed a strong bond with the rivers, forests, and open spaces that make this region so special. A student at the University of Washington studying Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management, she spent the summer with us exploring what it means to care for the land through hands-on projects, fieldwork, and mentorship with our stewardship team. We sat down with Sami to learn more about her journey, her favorite experiences, and how this internship has influenced her perspective on caring for the land.

What sparked your interest in conservation and the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC)?

I have lived in Spokane for my whole life, so I was lucky enough to grow up by the river and in the woods of the Spokane area. Now, I split my time between Spokane and Seattle, where I am about to start my sophomore year at the University of Washington. While hiking in Waikiki, I came across some of the habitat enhancement planting areas. I was curious, so I scanned the QR code on the enclosure and started reading more about INLC. I loved INLC’s values and their work as a company, so I ended up sending an email asking about any summer opportunities or internships, and here I am!

How does this internship connect to your career or personal goals?

I am studying Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management, so this internship is right up my alley. I get to learn about why certain land management decisions are made and take part in the labor that is required to fulfill these decisions, which definitely gives more appreciation for the land management and conservation field. I am still trying to figure out my future career goals, but conservation and taking part in the research that informs what land management decisions are made to support native ecology are definitely of interest to me.

What drew you to land conservation?

It’s easy to enjoy nature and the outdoors, but it is not intuitive for many to give land the respect it deserves for supplying this enjoyment. Conservation and stewardship is of interest to me so that many people, animals, and plants can enjoy this space far in the future.

What projects have you been most excited to work on?

Working with a Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew on fire fuels reduction was very fun and much different than anything I have ever done before. Our main goal was to decrease the density of the pine forested region to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire. I got to wield a chainsaw (very briefly) for the first time, carried lots of logs up and down hill, and chipped wood for hours. The labor was hard but super rewarding, and I got to hear the perspectives and experiences of more people in the conservation field from the WCC crew.

Have you had a favorite moment in the field so far?

Aside from fuels reduction, another one of my favorite moments was my first day out in the field when Steven took me up to Eagle Ridge, a lookout in Glen Tana. The view was amazing and made me excited that INLC can conserve this land for moments such as the one I was having a look at from the top of Glen Tana. I can’t wait for that view to be available to the public.

More valuable moments have been spent working on my project, another opportunity associated with this internship. I was given full control to conceptualize and execute a project of my choice. A little daunting, but also very exciting. I ended up doing my project on investigating correlations between noxious weeds cover, topography, and canopy cover in the pine forested area of Waikiki Springs, as well as suggestions for future research based on my findings. This project has been a great way to enhance my research skills while exploring Waikiki.

What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learned while working on the land?

How much of a problem noxious weeds are. Everywhere you go, there are noxious weeds that need to be managed. It’s crazy how accustomed we have become to these plants that negatively impact our native ecosystems, agricultural fields, neighborhoods, and so much more. Many don’t know how impactful noxious weeds actually are.

How has this internship shaped the way you think about conservation?

This internship has given me more appreciation for the labor it takes to complete certain conservation tasks. It has also showed me the importance of collaboration in conservation since landowners, partners, and recreators all have different ways they view and enjoy land. Finding agreements that support the needs and wants of all stakeholders while also protecting the ecological integrity of an area is so important.

How has working outdoors and hands-on with the land influenced your connection to the Inland Northwest?

My work with Steven was concentrated in Waikiki Springs and Glen Tana. There is something special about going to the same place week after week and still finding it beautiful and intriguing. Every day I saw and learned something new. It just goes to show that land in the Inland Northwest is endlessly interesting, enjoyable, and worth our respect and connection.

What does “caring for the land” mean to you now, after your summer with us?

Caring for the land is giving to the land what we hope to receive. We cannot expect to simply extract what we want from our environment and still maintain integral processes and ecosystem functions that we rely on.

Anything else you want to share?

What has really made my internship is the people at INLC, especially Steven, who has been an amazing mentor, answered all my questions, given me every opportunity possible, and showed extreme patience when I was trying to learn how to use a chainsaw (among many other maintenance tools). He truly works his butt off as the preserve manager of Waikiki Springs and Glen Tana. He is just one example of how amazing the conservation field is.