2025 Conservation Intern Update – Claire Drake
Claire Drake Mid-Year Review.
From my supervisors and coworkers to the Denver Mountain Parks employees and dedicated volunteers, everyone I’ve interacted with has been kind, knowledgeable, and supportive. They’ve made me feel like a valued member of an incredible team.
During the first few months, I’ve primarily focused on desk work, both at home and at the zoo. My tasks have primarily included uploading and checking Rejuvra data from previous seasons and sorting through thousands of camera trap photos. Even though these tasks can be repetitive, I’ve remained engaged and interested in what I’m doing because I know this work is making a difference and contributing to important conservation efforts. During this slow season, we had an unforgettable opportunity to go to Genesee Park to watch the yearling bison receive vaccinations, blood draws, and ear tags. The site sponsor at Genesee Park, Eddy, allowed us to get right up in the action and help hold the bison’s heads during the procedure. The following week, we returned to witness the bison transfer, which was a truly incredible experience.
Additionally, I have had the pleasure of participating in several student outreach programs at the zoo and beyond, and I really enjoyed engaging with future scientists and kindling in them an excitement for conservation work. In addition to supporting Secret Science Days (zoo-based school field trips), I’ve also helped represent the Field Conservation team at the Denver Powwow and the Student Conservation Showcase hosted at the zoo.
As field season ramps up, I’ve begun working with both the Grasslands and Mountain teams on a wide range of projects, primarily at Daniels Park but also at Genesee. At Daniels Park, I’ve helped build one-rock-dams with Lockheed Martin volunteers, replaced bird survey plot nails, planted and weeded the healing garden, taken soil samples, and placed fence markers. At Genesee, we spent a day hiking through the south pasture, relocating exclosures to new data points.
I feel fortunate to be part of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s team. The organization’s commitment to its values has created a supportive and inclusive environment for my learning and growth. I’ve proudly brought friends and family to the zoo and taken great pleasure in acting as their tour guide. I have also encouraged friends and family to get involved in community conservation projects such as the boreal toad and pika projects.
Moving forward with the rest of the internship, I hope to continue learning and growing into the conservation biologist I aspire to be. I am very much looking forward to getting out in the field with the mountain team and assisting with pika and boreal toad surveys. I would like to get better at point-count bird surveys, plant identification, and continue enhancing my strength and endurance. I’m also eager to connect with more professionals in my field and continue building connections with the Field Conservation Team.