The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) on Sanibel Island welcomed two new interns this month specifically to support the education mission of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Ethan Dye and Bhritney Hernandez.
This year’s Herb Schwartz Memorial Education Intern, Dye is assisting refuge staff with environmental education duties. He hails from Cary, Ill., and graduated from Northern Illinois University in May 2023 with a degree in environmental science and a minor in biology. Before arriving to “Ding,” Dye worked on mourning dove research in McPherson, Kan.
“I’ve never seen the coast of Florida before, so being here has been completely magical with all of the diverse plant and animal life!” he said. “My favorite part, however, has to be the wonderful rangers and employees of the refuge. They’re all so kind and enjoyable to be around, and I’m very excited to get to know them during my term here.”
Among all this work at the refuge, he looks forward most to working with The Sanibel School next door, and leading volunteers on Fridays to clean up monofilament fishing line around refuge waters.
“I love getting the chance to talk to people about nature and have always loved teaching children about the less charismatic aspects of the natural world such as snails or lizards,” Dye said. “There’s so much life even in a tiny area that often gets overlooked, and I would love to inspire people to take a closer look when they go out in nature.”
When not wearing his work uniform, Dye heads to the beach where he takes a special interest in microphotography using his grandfather’s old microscope.
From Naples, Fla., Hernandez last interned with Tampa Bay Watch in its Estuary EDventures program. She graduated from University of South Florida, Tampa, in summer 2024 with a bachelor’s in environmental science and policy.
Her position with the education team involves traveling around the school district’s Title-1 schools as the Betty Bishop WoW Intern with the WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile classroom.
“I’m really excited about WoW and eventually helping to develop a WoW summer camp program with the team,” Hernandez said. “One of my favorite things about teaching is watching when a student finally understands and gets excited about science, so I’m hoping to be able to make that impact on a few students while I’m here.”
She enjoys reading fantasy and historical romance books, making jewelry, painting, and playing the French horn. Outside, she loves to kayak, hike, and go birding. Being part of the Sanibel community has become her latest passion.
“Everyone is incredibly welcoming and it is so great to see a community that is so proud of their natural environment,” Hernandez said. “Everyone I’ve met has been awesome.”
DDWS provides housing, living stipends, and other benefits for six to eight interns each year. Since Hurricane Ian destroyed onsite intern housing in 2022, DDWS has procured off-site housing with the intent to build on-site housing in the future.
“We welcome Ethan and Bhritney’s energy and passion,” said Refuge Supervisory Ranger Toni Westland. “They bring fresh ideas and perspective to our mission to reach people of all ages with the refuge’s conservation education message. At the same time, they benefit from the team’s track record for creating new conservation stewards by getting all ages excited about nature.”
DDWS currently stewards four named internships for the 2024-2025 year and is accepting donations for future named intern funds at $21,500 for a nine-month internship, $27,000 for a year, which is the cost for supporting one intern including housing, stipends, travel, and other expenses. For information about supporting refuge internship programs, contact Wildman at 239-789-8991.
ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].
