What’s Around the Riverbend

26 May What’s Around the Riverbend

Greetings from Frederick, Maryland

My name is Aubrie Heckel and I am lucky enough to be one of the 2021 Mosaics in Science interns this summer. Over the next three months, I will be working with NPS resource managers as a hydrologist at Monocacy National Battlefield. This park was established to preserve the cultural, historic, and natural resources within the context of the American Civil War. The Monocacy River flows through this Civil War battlefield and my objective as an intern is to collect data on two river reaches that will inform management strategies for these waterways. As someone aspiring to be a natural resource manager, this is the perfect opportunity for me to utilize skills gained in graduate school in a professional setting. Currently, I am attending California State University, Monterey Bay and if all goes according to plan, I will graduate with my M.S. in Environmental Science in Spring 2022.

This internship presented me with the opportunity to drive across the country for the first time, which is something I have always wanted to experience. Some of my favorite stops on my way to the East coast are Walnut Canyon in Arizona, Mississippi River State Park in Arkansas, and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in West Virginia. My first week on the East coast I saw many new species. I was surprised to see a cardinal, hear cicada screams, and watch Common Waternakes swim in the water. All of these species cannot be found on the west coast and I look forward to continuing to experience many firsts around the riverbend while on this journey away from home. See you around!

-Aubrie