College and Major: Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment, Wildlife Ecology and Management

Hometown: New Brockton, Alabama

Career Goals: Wildlife biologist in the western United States. I want to contribute to large-scale conservation initiatives. I am particularly interested in fire ecology, large-mammal management, and habitat restoration on public lands. I want to focus on implementing science-based practices that support long-term ecosystem health and biodiversity. Also, I plan to attend graduate school to strengthen my expertise in ecological research and field-based conservation work.

Hobby or Fun Fact: Spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, camping or exploring new ecosystems. Also, a fun fact about me is that I’ve participated in field research on salamanders, millipedes, and controlled burns in the Tuskegee National Forest. That work helped spark my interest in conservation work out West.

Thoughts from Lexie

Preinternship

During this internship with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, I hope to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in natural resource management and conservation outreach. Personally, I want to become more confident in applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations. I also want to improve my communication with both professionals and the public. Professionally, I aim to expand my knowledge of habitat management techniques, build relationships with experienced mentors and develop skills that will prepare me for graduate school and a career in wildlife biology.

I am most excited about the opportunity to connect science with communities and see how conservation and education can directly benefit landowners, farmers and natural resources. I admire the Extension System’s practical approach to problem-solving and its commitment to sharing research-based knowledge in ways that are accessible and impactful. The chance to be involved in both fieldwork and public engagement aligns perfectly with my long-term goals in wildlife management and environmental education.

This summer, I want to build my skills in fire ecology, wildlife habitat enhancement and public communication. I’ll be attending a controlled burn course and helping plant food plots, which will give me direct experience with two key land-management practices. These opportunities will allow me to better understand how prescribed fire and supplemental food sources contribute to ecosystem health. I also hope to improve my ability to communicate scientific information clearly and effectively, especially when working with landowners and community members.

Postinternship

During my internship, I developed my skills by attending a prescribed burn course, which helped me understand the role of fire in land management, even though I didn’t get to take part in an actual burn. I also assisted with a backyard insects and wildlife workshop and a venomous snake workshop, which helped me practice public communication and learn how to share scientific information in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand. These experiences strengthened my interest in wildlife biology and showed me how outreach and education are just as important as fieldwork.

My favorite memories from the summer were driving the tractor to plow the field for the food plot and zip-lining at Camp Butter and Egg during a 4-H summer day camp. Both moments were fun and gave me a sense of accomplishment and connection with the community. My biggest takeaway from the internship was how Extension work builds trust between professionals and the public by offering helpful, hands-on education. My advice for future interns would be to step outside your comfort zone, take every chance to learn something new, and enjoy the small moments. They often end up being the most meaningful.