Spring 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.

Ashley Nembhard

Ashley is a senior at UF majoring in Sustainability Studies. She is from Miami, Florida and grew up passionate for all things flora and fauna. She aspires to seek a career in the technology field where she can combine her commitment to the conservation of the natural world with the inclusivity and accessibility technology provides. She wants to develop informational systems and tools that can be used for field metrics as well as make them accessible and easily graspable to the public. Ashley believes that active success can be found in conservation work when underserved communities are directly involved in the process. She sees the technology sector as one of many opportunities where underserved communities can learn and engage in the significance of the environment conservation process while exploring career options.

Lilly Nelson

Lilly is a fourth year student at UF studying sustainability studies and women’s studies. Growing up, she always had a love for nature but wasn’t exactly sure how to make a career out of it. Her time at UF has shifted her focus towards environmental sustainability, and she hopes to find a career in conservation or resource management. She hopes that her internship with ACT provides her with hands-on learning that would help guide her future career path. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and spending time in nature, whether it be hiking, kayaking, or simply hammocking and enjoying the sights and sounds around her.

Logan Coates

Logan is from Melrose, Florida and a sophomore in his last semester at Santa Fe College. He plans to transfer to the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences to pursue a major in Natural Resource Conservation. Growing up he spent a lot of time outdoors exploring the woods, this led to a love of nature and a desire to protect it. He hopes to gain skills in his internship with ACT that will benefit him as he starts a career in Natural Resource Management. In his free time Logan enjoys fishing, camping, and cooking.

Maylen Bowen

Maylen is a fourth year student majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. She is originally from northern Indiana, where she grew up visiting different state parks with her grandmother. She has had a passion for wildlife and the environment since she was very young. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gaming, and traveling. She is grateful and excited for this opportunity to expand her knowledge and develop her skills in conservation through ACT.

Molly Allen

Molly is a senior at UF double majoring in Sustainability Studies and Economics. She is originally from Coconut Creek, Florida and has always loved being in nature. She was an Outreach & Events intern with ACT last semester and she is excited to further explore ACT's preserves! Molly is passionate about conservation and grateful for the opportunity to expand her knowledge of the Natural Resource Management field. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

Rebecca Matson

Rebecca is a 2020 UF Fine Arts alumna who works on expanding accessibility and inclusion in her role as ADA Coordinator at the UF Harn Museum of Art. A native Floridian, Rebecca is deeply devoted to both the decolonization and the preservation of Florida ecology. She is excited about collaborating with ACT to advance these interests and nurture her personal connection with the land she calls home. During her free time, Rebecca finds joy in dancing in the rain and reading non-fiction.

Taylor Blair

Taylor is a first year student at UF working towards a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. She grew up in rural Gainesville, which served as an introduction for her future interest in wildlife. In her free time, she loves to go to the creek, listen to punk rock, and cuddle with her cat. Taylor hopes to gain professional field experience so she can be prepared for any situation that comes her way. She aspires to learn as much as she possibly can about Florida wildlife and field techniques while having an amazing time!

Thomas Lilkendey

Thomas is a Junior at UF, majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. He has lived in several places in Alachua County including Gainesville, Alachua, and Micanopy, and enjoys spending time outside kayaking, biking, photographing wildlife, or birding. His goals as an ACT intern are to broaden his fieldwork skill set and advance his natural resource management intuition.