Mina Bedogne

she/her

Environmental Science & Management, Natural Resource Management Track

Waterway Stewardship Intern, Winter 2021 – Spring 2023

Participating in the Learning by Leading program has been a truly enriching experience. Since joining the Waterway Stewardship internship in Winter 2021, I have been so fortunate for the opportunity to gain technical experience with various aspects of habitat restoration and landscape management while becoming integrated into a welcoming and supportive community.

As an environmental science major, I have always been interested in the intersection of science and society. My internship at the Arboretum and Public Garden has not only expanded my passion for fieldwork and interacting with natural spaces but has also fostered a love for team building and community engagement. From plant care to erosion control or water quality testing to wildlife monitoring, engaging in a diverse array of activities alongside like-minded individuals has allowed me to explore aspects of environmental stewardship beyond the classroom and expand my perception of potential career trajectories. One of my favorite projects has been the floating islands, artificial plant-based platforms that promote nutrient uptake. This project involved the unique opportunity to navigate the waterway in waders and a rowboat. The islands are a highly visible, tangible representation of Learning by Leading’s lasting influence that wildlife and passerby alike can enjoy. Working on the islands has also bolstered my interest in pursuing both the technical planning and physical implementation of environmental projects.

These experiences would not have been possible without my incredible Waterway team and mentor. I joined the internship at a time of online classes and overwhelming uncertainty -- my Waterway peers became some of the first and most lasting friends I have made during my undergraduate career. Our internship meetings were often the highlight of my week, as I could always count on forgetting all my worries and having a great time with my team. Aside from comradery, my fellow interns provided invaluable professional support, connecting me with my current research advisors and inspiring me to become a commissioner for ASUCD’s Environmental Planning and Policy Commission, another team-based role. My staff mentor, Nina Suzuki, has also been an amazing, supportive, and calming presence throughout my undergraduate years. She has always been willing to entertain my questions and questionable sense of humor as well as serve as a professional reference. Most importantly, Nina has encouraged me to develop my leadership abilities through independent projects and team-based activities while recognizing the value of my transferrable skills.

Furthermore, I have benefited immensely from the larger Learning by Leading Community. I have loved getting the chance to interact with the public through events such as the plant sales and Museum Biodiversity Day. Collaborating with the Urban Tree Stewards and Aggie Ambassadors, among other teams, has also allowed me to meet incredible people and explore additional facets of the Arboretum. I wish I could continue to grow with the Learning by Leading Program beyond graduation, and I will miss the many individuals who made this my most valuable college experience. Thank you to everyone I’ve met along the way, and I hope to apply everything I’ve learned to sustainable, wide-reaching natural resource management!