Keene, N.Y. – The Adirondack Land Trust is delighted to welcome Joseph “Joey” Willman as their 2024 Intern for the Future of the Adirondacks. Willman will focus primarily on land management and fieldwork across nearly 1,000 acres of land trust nature preserves.
Willman, who hails from Wisconsin and recently earned a bachelor’s degree in Forest and Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin, plans to pursue a masters in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He has experience working as a field and lab technician, removing invasive species, collecting data, analyzing wildlife images from trail cameras, and as a naturalist providing educational interpretation of plants and animals. As a Virtual Student Federal Service Intern, Willman worked with the United States Department of Agriculture to develop public-facing maps and inventory ArcGIS products.
“While internships are designed to help the intern gain skills and experience, it really works both ways. We are already learning from the skills, ideas and perspectives Joey is bringing to our team,” said Adirondack Land Trust Executive Director Mike Carr.
“The focus of this internship aligns with my career interests and goals. I am eager to gain land trust experience and contribute to conservation work in the Adirondacks,” said Willman, who enjoys hiking and playing rugby in his free time.
The Adirondack Land Trust’s Internship for the Future of the Adirondacks creates a pathway for young people to explore careers in conservation. Previous interns, now working as professionals in the environmental field, are a testament to the program’s success.
Portrait image by Lisa J. Godfrey