Meet AWC’s interns: Grace Marsh

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) offers opportunities for promising graduate students to gain valuable conservation field experience via our Internship Program. Current intern, Grace Marsh, shares her experiences below.

When did you start your internship? How are you finding it?

I began my internship with the North-East Region at the beginning of March 2024. The move from Perth to Cairns felt a little intimidating to begin with…it’s a long way from home! I had no reason to worry – I am truly loving my internship so far, and I haven’t had a day where I’m not grateful to be here. Interning in the North-East is an incredible way to explore different landscapes and ecosystems across Queensland and the Northern Territory. I feel very lucky to be able to participate in the diversity of monitoring activities going on at our sanctuaries – from bird banding to botanical surveys, or Northern Bettong monitoring, there is always something interesting going on. The North-East team is very supportive and amazing to work with and learn from. I’ve been able to build confidence in my field skills, learn about land management, and discover new interests and passions while here.

What are your long-term goals in the science field?

That’s a difficult question! I think, like most people in this field, my long-term goals are to make a difference in some way to the conservation of Australian (or global) biodiversity. I would like to pursue a PhD in the near future, and hope to create a career path that contributes to real-world conservation outcomes with a good balance between fieldwork and research (if such a balance exists!).

Mel Christi/AWC

How did you hear about AWC’s science program? 

I had been aware of AWC’s internship program since I began studying in 2019. I can’t remember exactly how I came across it…it’s just that famous.

What enticed you to apply?

I think AWC’s internship program has a reputation of boosting field skills and employability – it kind of seems like a crash course for entering into the conservation world. This aside, the appeal of working with one of the leading conservation organisations in Australia, travelling to unique and remote places, and working with species most in need of our help was more than enough to entice me to apply. It’s such a unique opportunity to gain and build upon so many skills in such a short amount of time and learn through complete immersion in the conservation world.

What were some of your expectations going in?

To be honest, I don’t really know what I expected. While I had a range of field experience through volunteering back in the southwest, I had never been to northern Australia before, so it was a totally new experience for me. Our field schedule is so changeable; many trips or tasks I thought I would be undertaking went out the window pretty quickly after arriving and were replaced by new ones – it’s so beneficial to be flexible and have a good attitude in the face of change. I probably didn’t expect it to be so much fun! I genuinely get surprised by how much I enjoy every day, whether it be in the field, working from the office, or washing down muddy cars and unpacking after a field trip.

Eridani Mulder/AWC

What were elements of the program have surprised you so far?

I don’t know if this is bad, but probably how much my trips have felt like a holiday! Organising, prepping gear and packing can be quite stressful, but once I’m on sanctuary it feels like such a dream. Getting to see such amazing places, ecosystems and species has been so fun, it barely feels like working, even on the toughest of days. The hard work is almost always worth the reward up here!

That being said, it was also a surprise to get to work like a staff member and have some independence. The team here is so supportive of learning and then putting those skills to use, whether it be four-wheel driving, handling animals, or setting trap lines independently. There’s a really nice feeling of accomplishment that comes with hiking up your first mountain setting traps alone, then getting to see the result of it later when processing animals in a team! Getting to sit on in meetings with recovery teams or Traditional Owners is also something really cool that I didn’t expect.

Helena Stokes/AWC

Have you completed any other science internships? If so, how does this one differ?

I have completed one other science internship with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority in WA during my undergrad studies, where I analysed a large qualitative dataset to improve management of Kings Park and the Botanic Gardens. The internship with AWC differs greatly! This internship is far more field-based, has a broader range of activities, is for a longer time, and means I got to move across the country and explore new places.

 Is there a unique moment in the internship so far that you’ve really enjoyed or that stood out as a moment you’ll always remember?

I think what has stood out to me is my overall feelings of elation over the past few months. It’s so hard to pick one moment when it’s the culmination of so many amazing experiences that have contributed to this feeling. But if I have to choose, I think bird banding at Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, and seeing so many new species across the northeast for the first time has been really special – Ulysses Butterflies, Northern Quolls, Thorny Devils, Freshwater Crocs, Striped Honey-eater, Double-Barred finches, Greater Gliders, White-lipped Tree Frogs…the list goes on. Getting to know and work with the team up here is also really special and is something I’ll continue to value as my internship continues.

Eridani Mulder/AWC

Would you recommend it to others interested in science-led conservation and why?

Yes, absolutely! I have a feeling that every internship is singular and that each intern will gain a unique experience and take something different from the program. I’ve found that my internship is what I make of it, with opportunities to support individual interests and goals (or create new ones). So, whether you want to gain field skills, help write reports, experience remote living, learn about land management, or whatever else interests you, there will be experiences during an internship to support that.