2025 Conservation Intern Year End Reflection–Chelsea Padilla

End-of-year Reflection

This year has been one of the most extraordinary time periods of my life. Over the course of a year, I have learned to identify various different types of grasses, frobs, shrubs, etc. I have learned so much about insects and birds as well. I can easily tell you about the importance of grasslands and of all the organisms that are a part of it. Especially the invasives that aren’t meant to be part of the ecosystem in Colorado!

I have come to love grasslands and all that they do for us. They can store carbon more reliably than forests with help from their deep root systems. They sequester most of their carbon underground which helps to mitigate climate change. Grasslands are either underrepresented, misrepresented or both. Through this internship, I have been able to grasp their significance and the need to continue restoration. We’ve learned plenty about erosion and the surprising impact it has on a grassland biome. Erosion is a quiet criminal and it tends to have a negative effect on water levels, soil fertility, and food production for the animals. During the summer, we spent many days building or restructuring one rock dams and rock rundowns. These erosion mitigation techniques have been essential to help reduce erosion at Daniels Park. One rock dams are an indigenous peoples technology and seems to be the most commonly used at Daniels Park. They are effective and a fun project for larger groups!

Through this experience, I’ve also had the opportunity of working with many great people. Although I spent most of my time on the job with my Grasslands team, I was provided with many amazing networking opportunities. I had the chance to connect with individuals in other fields such as teaching, entomology, ornithology, soil conservation, and botany. My eyes have been opened with the help of both of my mentors and this internship program. It was an incredible experience and I am saddened to know it’s over. The skills I have picked up from this internship will not only be applicable, but also essential. I can’t give enough thanks for this window of opportunity. It has been fantastic and life altering.