Recipe for success: add one HAF intern
The Buffalo Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership: Where History Meets Nature was formed in Fall 2017 to connect communities to nearby natural areas. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge staff work with the Hispanic Access Foundation to present innovative nature-based programs as part of the partnership.
Through HAF’s MANO (My Access to Network Opportunities) Project, Latino college students and recent graduates develop leadership skills by working with federal agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the past year, HAF intern Sasha Azeez has helped refuge staff reach new audiences and connect people with nature.
Today, we hear about Sasha’s experiences and accomplishments thus far and how she plans to continue supporting the initiative.
Conserving the Nature of the Northeast (CNN): Why work for HAF and the Service?
Sasha Azeez (SA): HAF is really awesome in that it gives Latinos more of a voice and encourages people who usually don’t have experience or background in the environment to challenge themselves and learn new things.
I was an environmental science major in college but never went fishing until I went to the HAF internship orientation. I realized I’d like to do the same thing within urban communities — introduce outdoor experiences and connect people to nature. I love doing this — I like meeting new people and interacting within the community, and I love nature!
CNN: What has been your experience as a HAF intern?
SA: It’s an incredible, rare opportunity to connect with communities and bring nature-related recreation and activities to people who don’t typically think about nature. I’m happy to show people their local green spaces and encourage them to use them.
CNN: What work have you done so far to support the Partnership’s objective of engaging Buffalo’s community in habitat restoration and environmental education?
SA: The refuge works with Groundwork Buffalo’s Green Team and transports them to the refuge. This past summer, I was responsible for providing educational programming to them. I helped lead an invasive species control project where they learned to identify invasive honeysuckle and safely remove it to restore habitat. I facilitated a Green Team park clean-up near the Delavan-Grider Community Center. I gave a lesson on pollution and used the history of Love Canal [a notorious former Superfund site in nearby Niagara Falls]as an example.
Another nonprofit we’ve worked with is the Mountain Alliance, a roving program that travels to national parks and wildlife refuges throughout the country to do service projects. After I gave them an orientation, the Mountain Alliance group also helped with invasive species management on the refuge.
CNN: How have you made connections within the Buffalo community and expanded the partnership’s reach?
SA: The Orchid Senior Center has been trying to get their seniors out in nature. I provided a Prey, Predator, and Pelts Program, then gave a Birding by Car tour on the Refuge. I’ve done similar programming for the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library in Buffalo.
I’ve established partnerships with the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School in Rochester and the Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School in Lockport. Both schools expressed interest in doing an annual field study at the Refuge with students of varying ages. In 2019, I started that tradition by giving students a plant identification tour on the refuge.
We’ve met with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers and Grassroots Gardens of Western New York to form new partnerships. We hope to coordinate projects like refuge visits for water-based activities such as canoeing.
CNN: What is one highlight from your experiences so far?
SA: When I did the Plant ID walk with the Eugenio Maria De Hostos Charter School, there was one girl who was really enthusiastic and stood by my side asking questions the whole time. I thought to myself, “This is what it’s all about, inspiring people to be interested in nature.” She was eager to learn and all-around excited; it was refreshing to see. The more memorable moments are definitely those where people are excited to learn new things about nature.
CNN: How do you plan to support the goals of the Partnership between now and the end of your internship?
SA: I am trying to be an active voice in the community and listen to their needs. Knowing the interests of communities is helpful, so the refuge can offer programs specific to what people want. It’s not as easy as just talking about birds at a program; people first need to be interested in the topic. By listening to feedback during introductory programming, we can set the stage for future events.
I hope to provide a variety of environmental programs in local libraries. I’ve been planning programs such as Coffee with the Birds, Syrup and Trees, Paint and Sip: Hot Cocoa Edition, Reading with the Refuge, and Introduction to Outdoor Recreation: Fishing to host in libraries. I’d like to focus on the downtown library and have community members use the greenspace around it.
Our work with HAF is of paramount importance for connecting communities with the environment. A passion for nature and conservation is best sparked by experience. HAF interns like Sasha support refuge goals by planning and executing events to encourage enthusiasm for the outdoors and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Sasha is proof that a HAF intern can improve the whole partnership.
