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Archives for June 2022

Environmental Conservation and Restoration in the D.C. Area

10Jun

If you are looking for an exciting weekend activity or an opportunity to network, volunteering in the D.C. area is a great way to achieve that. During my internship, I participated in a habitat restoration effort at Kingman Island and Dawson Terrance Park hosted by the D.C. Master Naturalist Program and the Society of Conversation Biology. During these events, we removed invasive vegetation to promote and protect native wildlife.

Removing invasive species is important for environmental restoration because they can degrade native habitats and compete with the wildlife for food, water, shelter, and space. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) invasive species cause “more than 100 billion dollars in damage each year to the U.S. economy. Costly effects include crop decimation, clogging of water facilities and waterways, wildlife and human disease transmission, threats to fisheries, increased fire vulnerability, and adverse effects for ranchers and farmers” (USGS, 2022).

In order to mitigate these consequences, we worked to remove the following species:

Bush Honeysuckle

Bush honeysuckle is native to Eurasia but is widely planted as an ornamental shrub in the United States. It can easily grow out of control and rapidly spread. If exposed to wild areas, it can inhibit the growth of native trees, shrubs, and ground layer species. It does so by blocking out sunlight, secreting toxic exudates, and depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients. In addition to that, Bush honeysuckle has negative consequences on native birds because the berries have a net-zero nutritional content. When birds consume the berries, they gain no nutrition benefit but are sated. This can lead to decreased chick survival and starvation.

Running Bamboo

Running bamboo is used ornamentally and is native to Asia. It is a highly aggressive and fast-growing plant species. Bamboo can suffocate native vegetation, decrease tree density, damage property and deplete soil nutrients. It is incredibly challenging to control and get rid of once roots have been established.

English Ivy

English ivy is another common ornamental plant and is native to Eurasia. It is a climbing vine that covers and kills trees, cokes ground plants, and creates “ivy deserts” where nothing else can thrive. It promotes mosquito populations by providing an environment where puddles and wet soils can collect. English ivy can also carry and spread Bacterial Leaf Scorch, a plant pathogen detrimental to oaks, elms, and maples.

After these species have been fully removed at each location, native wildflowers, ground cover, and shrubs will take their place in the spring. I found this educational opportunity as a refreshing break from work and a great way to network with wildlife and environmental professionals.

If you are also looking for events that pertain to your field of interest or would like to network over an activity, an easy way to find events is to google search “events near me” or visit the Eventbrite website at: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/dc–washington/events/.

Shawnee Chavez
The Fertilizer Institute
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

7 Tips for a Congressional Intern

10Jun

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an intern on Capitol Hill? Through my time as a Congressional intern, I have picked up a few tips that will help you survive on the Hill.

#7 Dress to Impress

Make sure to dress appropriately. It’s always a good idea to dress business professional at first and just feel out your office. In my office, we dressed business professional when we were in session and business casual on out of session days. We were also allowed to wear nice jeans when we were out of session, but make sure that is appropriate in your office. When in doubt, throw on a blazer to up your look.

#6 Be On-Time

ALWAYS be on time! It looks very unprofessional if you are late to work frequently. In my experience, I was usually the first one at the office and had to wait in the hallway until one of my coworkers got there. It looks much better for you to be early and waiting rather than late and people waiting for you.

#5 Communicate with Your Supervisor

Tying back to my last point, if you are going to be late, make sure you communicate this to your supervisor. Your supervisor is there to make sure you have a successful internship experience, so you need to communicate with them what you hope to gain from your internship and what you hope to accomplish during your internship. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand or need help.

#4 Confidentiality is KEY!

When interning in a Congressional office, you have to keep some information confidential. For example, if you have access to your Congressperson’s schedule, you shouldn’t share that with anyone! What is said in the office, should stay in the office most of the time. Its ok to share stories of your day with your roommates, but just keep certain information to yourself.

#3 Don’t Take Things Personally

This was one of the biggest things I had to learn. If a caller is rude to you, don’t take it personally. They probably aren’t really upset with you, but just with the situation in general. It is also important to know what your office’s protocol is for rude callers. In my office, I was allowed to tell the caller that I was going to put them on hold until they calmed down and most of the time they just hung up after that. If a caller ever makes you feel uncomfortable or starts making threats towards you or your Congressperson, make sure to notify your supervisor.

#2 Be Open to Learning New Things

Don’t close yourself off to opportunities just because you think it might not be interesting to you. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Don’t close yourself off to only one area of interest. Any time someone in your office asks you to help with something, say yes! You have nothing to lose by learning new skills.

#1 Put 110% Into Your Internship

The most important rule is to put your best effort into your internship experience. What you get out of the experience is dependent on what you put into it. Make sure to take every opportunity offered to you and seek out opportunities for yourself! If there is a hearing you want to go to or a meeting you want to attend, just ask! The worst they could say is no. This internship experience opens a world of opportunities to you so make the most of it! You don’t want to leave having any regrets that you didn’t get to do something.

Mikayla Wrenn
Office of Congressman Louie Gohmert
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

A Guide to Living as a College Student in D.C.

10Jun

When I learned that I got into the DC internship program, I was extremely excited and could not wait to live in the area for the semester. One thing I did not expect about moving up here, though, is what a culture shock it would be. The DMV area is such a young, truly urban and fast area, almost a complete 180 from Texas. Navigating life here, especially as a 19 year old college student, was such a new experience for me, but I learned my way around and how to have the best experience of my life during the internship. Here are some tips that I learned from my experience!

First, find like-minded people you can hang out with in the area! A great way to start this is trying to connect with your fellow interns from A&M. I was lucky to be paired with someone with a very similar lifestyle to me as my roommate, and I was able to find many other interns that I became fast friends with. Additionally, DC is all about meeting new people through other people! I found new friends from people my roommates were friends with or worked with, so it’s a great and easy way to find people to spend time within the area.

Next, stay on a budget! This is perhaps the most important lesson you can learn for DC. The area is so incredibly expensive, and much more costly than Texas for sure (or Atlanta, where I’m from). The more you can save on things like food and transportation, the more money you will have to have other experiences! There are two big things you can do to save money. Cook family meals with your roommates at home; by buying groceries in bulk, you can save so much money! Second: use the metro system! Uber and Lyft are so expensive in the area, and using public transportation is a much cheaper option to travel around the area.

Next, explore the area! I know that all the interns coming to DC are passionate about their policy interests and the internships they are going to, and that can make it very easy to fall into a work-only mindset. While it is very important to take full advantage of your internship and the experience you can gain for it, it’s also important to take time for yourself and do something fun. The DMV area has no shortage of attractions in addition to the famous sites in the area, and there is something for everyone to explore here.

Lastly, take a moment to relax! Recognize that you were chosen for this program because you are completely capable of handling the responsibilities and the tasks that come with both the internship and the living experience. It’s important for you to be proud of yourself for that, so take some time to think about it and enjoy what DC has in store for you!

Nitya Jella
Global Cold Chain Alliance
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Museums to Visit in Washington, D.C.

10Jun

Are you in a new workplace environment? Are you in a city over 1,000 miles away from home? Or are you adjusting to living in a new apartment and roommates? While living in Washington, D.C., I have certainly had to deal with these situations. Having dealt with these, I quickly learned that one of the best ways to relax and unwind is by visiting the local museums. Although walking between four to five miles, traversing security, and surviving the fluctuating weather does not sound like the ideal for relaxation, museum touring can be just the answer for your situational woes. Here are the top three museum locations I have had the opportunity to visit, explore, and learn:

The National Art Gallery

Established in 1937 from a generous donation of funds and exhibits from Andrew W. Mellon, the National Art Gallery is a beautiful collection of pieces spanning across centuries. This museum provides a perfect array of viewing locations, furniture, and refreshments for the optimal visit experience. My personal favorite pieces can be found in the Flemish and French exhibits!

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

As an all-time, iconic location in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is a must-see. From its towering fossils to its immersive mineral exhibits, this museum has something for everyone. I would recommend attending this museum with a friend! This will not only make the event feel more relaxed, having someone with another perspective with you will make every exhibit feel a bit deeper.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The most visually striking and culturally impactful museum on the National Mall must be the National Museum of African American History and Culture. With a staggering six-floor design, one can spend an entire day at this museum. Due to its enormity, this museum has a wide array of materials and artifacts that relate to African American culture and the way in which it has influenced pop culture.

With this list of museums, you can make your visit to D.C., even more relaxing! The question is, which one will you visit first?

Jace Wilkey
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

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