Summer Staff and Interns!

We are thrilled to introduce you to Urban Ecology Center’s enthusiastic 2024 Summer Interns and Seasonal Staff members! Be sure to visit our branches to meet and get to know these new folks who are ready to help you have your best UEC experience. Below is a list of who will be contributing to what team. We are confident you'll enjoy their energy and fresh perspectives as much as we do!

Community Programs‍

Alexis Slater, she/her - CP Seasonal Educator

I am from Tampa, Florida but have lived in Grantsburg, WI for a long time. I am a student at MSOE and I love to surf. My favorite road trip snack is trail mix and pretzels with hummus. This summer, I’m looking forward to meeting a bunch of cool people and spreading my love for nature! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? Bear. ‍

Mike Zang*, he/him - CP Seasonal Educator

I am from East Rutherford, NJ; before coming to the UEC this summer, I was a PhD student and course instructor.  One of my random interests is maps and my favorite road trip snack is figs. This summer I’m looking forward to Canoeing, teambuilding, and friendships. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens?  100 chickens.‍

Marelise (Mahr-elise) Steyn, she/her - CP Summer Intern‍

I am from Newtown, PA, and I am a Conservation and Environmental Science major at UWM where I also work at Outdoor Pursuits in the gear shop and as a trip leader. I once saw an octopus eating when I lived in Alaska, and it was one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed. I'm also obsessed with cats. My favorite road trip snack is dark chocolate-covered anything! This summer, I'm excited to spend a lot of time outside, learn new things, and meet new people! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear. 

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Fishing (FIN’tern)‍

Sean Carlson, he/him - Fintern‍

I am from Duluth, MN. Before working at the UEC I was going to school at UW-M for freshwater science, and working part-time at Orvis in Bayshore. A random interest of mine is fly fishing and fly tying. My favorite road trip snack is probably trail mix! This summer, I’m looking forward to working with a diverse group of professional individuals. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? It depends on what kind of bear, but most likely 100 chickens.

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Green Career Pathways‍

Renee Studinski*, she/her - Green Career Pathways Intern

I currently live in Waukesha, WI, and am an undergraduate student at Carroll University. Right before I begin working with the UEC, I will be on my study abroad in Japan for school! I have a large indoor plant collection with various succulents and pothos being my favorite. My favorite road trip snacks are smoothies, fruit, and sweet tea. This summer, I am most looking forward to seeing the outdoor leaders grow throughout the summer. Being a part of such a developmental stage of their life is very exciting and I am happy to help mentor them during this time!  If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? This is easily one bear. With the right materials like bear spray, I could get away unscathed. Although, if I can't have those I would rather accept a swift fate than be pecked to death by angry chickens. 

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Green Career Pathways and Neighborhood Engagement‍

Felix Spaniol, they/them - Green Career Pathways and Neighborhood Engagement Intern (Lawrence University Social & Environmental Justice Program)

I am originally from Indianapolis. Right before joining the UEC this summer I will be writing two papers and preparing for two presentations and a final. Before that, I’ll be collecting data on coral reefs in Bonaire! I really like learning about languages! I’m not the best at actually learning other languages, but I find grammar and pronunciation across different languages fascinating. I’ve been trying to learn Irish recently and WOW it is weird, but also very cool! My favorite road trip snack is dried fruit. I’m looking forward to everything this summer, but especially the Grand Tetons trip. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? If I have bear spray, the bear. If not, then 100 chickens. I imagine it would be easier to find weapons to use against chickens - even just a small stick should be enough to whack them away -, and I certainly don’t have the physical strength to fight a bear just by myself.

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Land Stewardship‍

Blossom Ramos, she/her - Field Technician

I am from McHenry, IL, and before starting with the UEC I was doing Land stewardship at the Aldo Leopold Foundation! A random fact about me is that I got to go to Bulgaria with my violin group in 2009., My favorite road trip snack is cuties. This summer I am looking forward to meeting a lot of fun and interesting people. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? Bear‍

Felicia Stelsel*, she/her - Field Technician‍

Felicia started with the UEC last summer as a land stewardship intern and we are happy to welcome her back as a field technician this summer!‍

Antajia (Ann-tasia) Sanders, she/her - Land Stewardship Intern

I am from Racine, WI. Right before starting with the UEC, I finished my Undergraduate degree in Conversation & Environmental Science and started part-time work at a fast food chain. I enjoy learning about different cultures and languages from around the world. Subtitles are my favorite part of watching TV shows. My favorite road trip snacks are chocolate-covered fruit and lunchables. This summer, I'm looking forward to working outside and learning about the different sites of the UEC. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? Bear‍

Aya (Eye-uh) Ishikuri, she/her - Land Stewardship Intern‍

I am from Glendale, WI and just finished my junior year of college at UW-Madison! For the month before working with UEC I will be volunteering with the Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Milwaukee! I love birding, crocheting, knitting, painting, hiking, being outside, and am currently trying to get into butterflies, frogs/toads, and WI wildflower ID. My favorite road trip snack is Haribo gummy bears and trail mix with chocolate and dried cranberries (or any dried fruit in general)! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? 100 chickens. At school, I work with chickens and they are not too hard to deal with!‍

Luna Sachse-Abresch*, she/her/they/them - Land Stewardship Intern

I am from Madison, WI Before my UEC internship, I will be working Hospitality at Pabst Theater Group and going to school full time at UWM for biology and conservation environmental sciences. A random fact about me? I love to rollerskate and clean the house in an evening gown, which helps with my morale. My favorite road trip snack is a ripe mango. This summer, I really want to hold a bird in my hand! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? 100 chickens for sure.

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Marketing and Communications‍

Bri (Bree) Williams, she/her - Marketing and Photography Intern

I am from Menomonee Falls, WI I am a student at UWM, I nanny for a few different families, and I have also been doing wedding and couples photography. I love rock climbing. Bouldering is my favorite right now, but soon I would love to get into lead climbing. This summer I’m looking forward to Learning new things, meeting new people, and spending time outside. My favorite road trip snack is Chomps pepperoni turkey sticks. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? I could never fight 100 chickens. They are way too cute. I love birds. I would battle a bear. 

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Research‍

Emma Knickelbine, she/her - Science Communications Intern‍

I am from Denmark, WI, and I'm a PhD student in Literature and Cultural Theory at UWM. My random interest is trees and my favorite road trip snack is peanut butter rice krispie treats. This summer, I’m looking forward to getting out in the field and learning about our local ecosystems! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear.‍

Steven Awve, he/him - Research & Community Science Intern

I am from Wauwatosa WI. This past semester, I was studying abroad in Ecuador. I was on the tropical conservation semester program through the Ceiba Foundation. I studied tropical ecology, marine biology, and conservation. I also did a month-long internship doing wildlife rehabilitation at AmaZOOnico an organization in Tena, Ecuador! I like to create planted terrariums and aquariums. My favorite road trip snack is Gardettos. This summer, I’m looking forward to taking trips to northern Wisconsin with friends and family. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? This is outrageous A BEAR?! I’ll take the chickens any day.

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Environmental Education - Summer Camps‍

Nefataria Gordon, PEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Golddust (the bottoms), Tennessee, the origin of my ancestors. Before coming to the UEC, I was working in student life for my college and finishing up my last practicum for my Early Childhood education degree. I love to learn how to cook everything from scratch; I want to own five different farms of 100 acres.  My favorite road trip snack is roasted cashews or cousin’s subs because they only have it in the Midwest. This summer, I’m looking forward to butterflies, worms,and  just the animal spotting! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? So my mother had chickens and they are not anything to play with even with their heads chopped off or neck cracked, so I’ll choose to run.

Alana Alderson, she/they - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Milwaukee, WI (though I was born in Madison) and before this summer,  I was working in talent acquisition (HR) for almost 5 years. I DJ weddings on the weekend and love music, especially live shows!  My favorite road trip snack is Overnight oats with almond butter and cinnamon, This summer, I’m looking forward to being active and outside and educating others! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? I would take 100 chickens - I'm rather short and would definitely not have a height advantage over a bear! ‍

Ari Tavalin, they/them - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from  Chicago and I'm a student of Archaeology and Anthropology at UWM. I love rock climbing! My favorite road trip snack is Funyuns - they're a once-every-six-month type of snack, but they're great when I have them. This summer, I’m looking forward to taking some online archaeology classes that seem really interesting! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? A bear for sure. I think I could make friends with him. No man, however, can know the mind of a chicken.‍

Josephine Jurack, sher/her - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Mequon, WI  and just finished my Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Environmental Science! This past summer I was an intern at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Utah, shadowing the park ranger! My random interest is rocks and bugs; I feel like there is so much to learn from small things. My favorite road trip snack is kettle corn. This summer, I’m looking forward to spending every day outside with inquiring minds. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear, it doesn't matter the type or size. I am terrified of birds. ‍

Lauren Forbush, sher/her - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Milwaukee and prior to this summer with UEC I was working as a SPED paraprofessional at a middle school! Before that, I was traveling as much as I could. My random fact is that I’m a triplet. My favorite road trip snack is crackers and cheese. This summer, I’m looking forward to meeting new people, having fun, and learning new things. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear‍

Lily Tanner, she/her - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Pinckneyville, Illinois and I am a student at Baylor University and working as a compost and gardens specialist.  I like to spend my time keeping up with celebrity gossip and beefs - I’m a big fan of pop culture. I don’t like to eat on road trips! This summer, I’m looking forward to exploring new places; I’m not familiar with Milwaukee. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? 100 chickens‍

Lydia Witthuhn, she/her - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Appleton, WI and attend Wisconsin Lutheran College. I love hiking and laying in my hammock.  My favorite road trip snack is Twizzlers. This summer, I’m looking forward to being outside! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear‍

Pavithra Jadav, she/her - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Bengaluru, India and before my summer with UEC, I worked as a Parent Partner for a program called HIPPY. It’s part of COA. I’m a certified Zumba instructor!  My favorite road trip snack is veggie straws. This summer, I’m looking forward to a lot of fun, outdoor time, enjoying time with kids, and traveling. If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear‍

Ranier (Ruh-near) Kahl, she/her - NEEP Summer Camp Counselor

I am from Fort Collins, CO and recently I was busy finishing up my Bachelors degree at Cornell College with a major in Environmental Studies! I am a major whitewater rafting fan and have been a guide on the Arkansas River the past two summers.   My favorite road trip snack is Albanese Gummy Butterflies. This summer, I’m so excited to explore Milwaukee as a newbie in town and am so excited to spend my summer outside! If faced with the battle, would you rather fight one bear or 100 chickens? One bear. No question. Chickens are terrifying. 

Welcome back!

‍*indicates prior employment with the Urban Ecology Center!

• Mike Zang was previously a Community Programs Educator with the UEC in 2010-2011 and last year, performed research with the Urban Ecology Center related to his PhD studies.
• Renee Studinski was an Outdoor Leader with the UEC in 2021 and a Volunteer Intern in the summer of 2023.
• Luna Sachse-Abresch was a Neighborhood Engagement Assistant at Riverside Park from 2021-2022.
• Felicia Stelsel was a Land Stewardship Intern with the UEC in the summer of 2023.

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