Fall 2024 Natural Resource Management Interns
Ally Drake
Ally is a recent graduate from UF with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is from Tampa and has an interest in plant sciences. She’s excited to learn more about invasive and native species during her time with ACT. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading and learning to play bass guitar.
Andrea Barrios
Andrea is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and working towards a certificate in Fire Ecology and Management. Growing up near Everglades National Park in South Florida, her love for amphibians, specifically frogs, grew. She is eager to develop land management skills to help restore habitats for critically endangered frog species. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and painting.
Seth Hoholick
Seth Hoholick is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. He found his appreciation for nature at a young age from camping, hunting, and working on his father’s tree farm in Southern Ohio. He is excited to work with the ACT this fall and hopes to learn fieldwork skills, and management practices that he can apply toward a career in land management. In his spare time, Seth enjoys hiking, paddling, biking, exercising, reading, and working on various art projects.
Alyssa Sheets
Alyssa Sheets is a senior at Florida International University majoring in Sustainability and the Environment as well as Liberal studies, with two minors in communications and religious studies. She strives to practice sustainability in her daily life through activities like up-cycling thrifted clothing and baking vegan desserts.
Kaitlyn Szatkowski
Kaitlyn is a third-year student studying Natural Resource Conservation with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. While originally from Clearwater, FL; Kaitlyn has found a love for North Florida ecosystems and cannot wait to learn more about what they have to offer through ACT. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her cats, read, hike, and fish! She is incredibly passionate about conservation efforts regarding wildlife corridors, and hopes to one day pursue a graduate degree within natural resources.
Zaira Diaz Goodwin
Zaira is a senior at the University of Florida pursuing a Bachelor's in Natural Resource Conservation. She loves all things natural, from the beach to Paynes Prairie, and hopes to explore the natural world inside and outside of the U.S. She is looking forward to gaining professional experience that will give her the tools to make an impact on the natural world and its resources. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and swimming.
Ryan Parker
Ryan is a student at Santa Fe College majoring in Zoology. Born and raised in Gainesville, he grew up on local hiking trails and has always been fascinated with wildlife. In recent years, Ryan's passion for photography has played a considerable part in his journey towards being able to identify the area's flora and fauna better, and he looks forward to seeing how much his time with ACT will expand that knowledge. In his free time, Ryan enjoys things such as hiking, music, Dungeons & Dragons, MMA training, and more.
Chris Landaeta
Chris Landaeta is a recent graduate from the University of Florida, with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a Minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. As a Gainesville local, Chris has spent countless hours exploring and getting familiar with the preserves and “hidden gems” in Gainesville and Alachua County, all while also establishing connections with different environmental organizations, such as the ACT, Florida Springs Council, and Ashton Biological Preserve. In his free time, he enjoys organizing hikes with friends, skating, and doing volunteer work. He is very passionate about learning and teaching others about our natural world and, as a returning intern, he is excited to continue working alongside the land management team and honing in his skills with native Florida plant ID, prescribed fires, and chainsaw work. His favorite ACT preserves are Little Orange Creek Preserve and Rock Bluff Springs.
