Meet FOTC's New Summer Intern

This summer Maureen Traxler will be leading weekly Evening Guided Walks that take place every Wednesday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Tryon Creek. As the Interpretive Education Intern with the Friends of Tryon Creek, Maureen has become an expert on nocturnal creatures so that she can educate hike attendees about the wonders of the nighttime forest and its occupants. The Evening Guided Walks are free, fun and family-oriented, so be sure to attend one and learn more about Tryon Creek if you have the chance.

Maureen is one of two interns who are working with the Friends this summer. Raised in Alabama, Maureen chose to make the Pacific Northwest her home and enrolled at Lewis & Clark College in 2007. Now a recent graduate with her BA in Biology, Maureen began volunteering at the park last fall after learning about our Volunteer Field Trip Training Program.

Although Maureen spent time helping out at Tryon Creek while in school, her activities were limited to assisting with ivy pulls and maintenance.  The Field Trip Training Program provided something new. Maureen enjoyed the opportunity to interact with park visitors of different ages and backgrounds and learn more about Tryon Creek’s plants, animals, history and ethnobotany. 

After graduating this spring, Maureen chose to expand her role at Tryon Creek by becoming the Interpretive Education Intern. In addition to leading Wednesday’s walks, Maureen assists with Kids in Nature classes on Thursday mornings and provides extended care for Friends of Tryon Creek’s summer day campers.

Regarding Maureen’s post-internship plans, as a “product of public education (she is) interested in making science and biology interesting for others” and hopes to become a formal or informal educator (engaging in academic research is also a possibility). The Friends are pleased to have Maureen on board with us this summer.