Learn about this year’s outstanding cohort of Ted Smith Conservation Interns and the meaningful projects they are working on this summer!
Aukema Fuller
Sitka Conservation Society
Bio coming soon.
Lenulisy Rosado Estrada
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Lenulisy (she/her) is a microbiologist and doctoral student specializing in environmental public health. She was born and raised on the east coast of the Caribbean archipelago of Puerto Rico. Her passion lies at the intersection of environmental justice, Caribbean history, agroecology, local food sovereignty, and enjoyment as resistance. Outside of academia, she enjoys art (especially creating analog collages), hiking, cycling, and sailing. She is extremely honored to be welcomed in Alaska and to collaborate with Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Alex Pear
Communications and Outreach Intern
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC)
Alex (she/they) is a communications and outreach intern at SEACC. Prior to joining SEACC, she graduated from Williams College in May 2022 with bachelor degrees in political science and women, gender, and sexuality studies. A Philadelphia native, she feels grateful to work in play in LingítAaní. She is passionate about environmental justice, community building, and regenerative economies, and can often be found exploring the Tongass and marveling at its vast ecosystems. She’s excited to be a part of the incredible team at SEACC and to continue to learn about Southeast Alaska and be an advocate for sustainable use of its natural resources. She
Naya Kramer
The Alaska Center (AYEA)
Naya (she/her) was born and raised 40 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska, in an off-grid community. Coming from a working-class and commercial fishing family, she is excited to be graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles late this summer with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Geography, and a Minor in Environmental Systems and Society.
Skylar Cheng
Anchorage Parks Foundation
Skylar Cheng (she/her) grew up in New York and now lives in Montreal, Quebec. She is a recent graduate from McGill University, where she studied International Development, Environment, and Music. She is most passionate about innovative food systems and agriculture, and aims to pursue environmental policy. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, running, and spending time with her senior pet rabbit, Lola. Skylar has yet to visit Anchorage and looks forward to exploring the trails, fishing (for the first time!), and learning more about Dena’ina heritage.
Hannah Gilmer
Audubon Alaska
Hannah (she/her) is am a sophomore Environmental Studies and Religion major at Middlebury College in Vermont. She is originally from Nashville,Tennessee, and loves hiking, running, and trying out new cafes. She’s excited to explore Alaska this summer and help with Audubon’s conservation efforts!
Justin Solis
Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association
Justin (he/his) is a rising junior at Tufts University and is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Political Science and minoring in Entrepreneurship. At Tufts, he works as a tour guide and a comedy writer for a Boston-based startup and enjoys playing guitar in his free time. After working last summer at a non-profit farm in New York, this summer he is looking forward to broadening his conservation knowledge in Sitka.
Bonnie Dana
Cook Inletkeeper
Bonnie (she/her), originally from Bozeman, Montana, just finished her final year at Washington University in St. Louis, where she double majored in Studio Art and Environmental Analysis. She became interested in fisheries management work while interning for the Yellowstone Native Fish Conservation Program, and more recently, completed her senior thesis on the influence of climate change and invasive species on native fish in Yellowstone. She also hopes to incorporate her studio art major to help communicate environmental issues to the general public, and potentially inspire individual action. Bonnie is excited to learn more about fisheries management and conservation work in Alaska, as well as connect with the local community in Homer.
Deagen Carey
Yukon Inter-Tribal Watershed Council
Bio coming soon.
Ziggy Berkoff 
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
Ziggy (she/her) grew up spending the school year in the evergreens and great food scene of Portland, Oregon, and the summers berry picking and salmon fishing in Kasilof, Alaska. This is her first season working in Homer, Alaska with Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and she is so excited to be part of the team! Ziggy is currently a Junior at the University of Vermont pursuing a B.S. in Environmental science with minors in psychology and studio art. She recently returned from studying abroad in Botswana where she worked with local communities to mitigate human wildlife conflict. Ziggy is very passionate about conservation and the intersectionality between having access to green spaces and good mental health. She is excited to get to know coastal ecology better, and hopefully eat great seafood all summer long. When she is not studying for organic chemistry, you can find Ziggy skiing, painting, baking challah and coaching club lacrosse.
Ellis Addleman
Stream Watch Intern
Kenai Watershed Forum
Ellis (she/her) grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and currently attends the University of Vermont. She is a senior Natural Resources major with a minor in Geospatial Technologies. Ellis has spent previous summers and semesters working extensively with drone systems, GIS, and botanical research. For the 2024 season, Ellis will be one of the Stream Watch Interns at the Kenai Watershed Forum. This summer, Ellis is looking forward to exploring the Kenai Penninsula and working to help conserve this important ecosystem.”
Skye Sunderhauf
Defenders of Wildlife
Skye (she/her) is a rising senior at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. She grew up in Virginia, right outside of DC. Majoring in Environmental Studies and Animal Behavior, she is also a member of the varsity swim team. At school, she works at the Center for Sustainability and the Environment and tutors students in biology and chemistry courses. Skye is passionate about fighting climate change and species conservation, and she aims to contribute in any way she can. She is very excited to spend her summer in Anchorage with Defenders of Wildlife and learn from everyone around her.
Hannah French
Discovery Southeast
Hannah (she/her) was born and raised on the greatest Great Lake, Lake Erie. She’s come to find herself seeking new landscapes each chance she gets. She did her undergrad at Bard college in the beautiful Catskills mountains and has spent her time in Montana and Utah since. She is deeply passionate about art, culture and what the human relationship is to earth. In her free time she enjoys painting, movies, a good coffee, hiking, exploring, swimming and chatting with friends for hours.
