Biology Intern Michele Talmadge

Credit: USFWS  Turtle   Credit: USFWS  Michele

My Summer at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
My name is Michele Talmadge and I was a summer intern at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge from May to August 2008.  Through this internship, and with the guidance of Dan Stotts and Ken Witkowski, I gained knowledge and an appreciation for wildlife that can only be acquired through hands-on experience.  This summer we searched for the endangered bog turtle and managed a site for possible turtle re-introduction; we conducted waterfowl, marsh bird, and grassland bird surveys; we conducted vegetation surveys in the marshes; and we controlled the spread of invasive plant species such as Ailanthus trees, Phragmites, multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, Japanese hop, and water chestnut.  Many of these invasive plants were showcased in an Invasive Species walk that we lead around the Dagmar Dale Trail.  While every activity that we performed was fun and interesting, my favorite task was kayaking down the Wallkill River, searching for and removing water chestnut, an aquatic plant that can be detrimental to freshwater ecosystems.  While working at the refuge, I discovered that I have a great interest in plants, and I intend to study botany in graduate school and beyond.  This summer has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I will always carry with me the knowledge I have gained.