At Outdoor Outreach, our vision is an outdoors for all that inspires and sustains healthy, vibrant communities. We believe this begins with learning how to respect the outdoors, protect the environment and steward the public lands we adore.
There are a multitude of outdoor career opportunities where your passion for the environment can also be your day job. From Outdoor Outreach Field Instructors to Park Rangers and beyond, the opportunities to do good for the environment in a professional setting are everywhere.
During Earth Month, we are featuring a previous participant who advanced their love for nature to the Federal level through a local job opportunity with the US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS). This federal agency is dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats across the country.
As of October 2022, our long-time Outdoor Outreach participant, program graduate, and field instructor Deven Kosar signed on as an USFWS intern with the San Diego Wildlife Refuge Complex in South Bay. The San Diego Wildlife Refuge Complex covers 2,620 acres of protected land and water in and around San Diego Bay.
As an outdoor enthusiast and environmentalist, Deven knew he wanted to explore careers in this field. We sat down with him this month to get the scoop on his internship with USFWS.
Q: How did you get involved with the USFWS?
A: I have been interning at the USFWS since late October of 2022. I got involved after reaching out to Outdoor Outreach Leadership Program Manager, Chris Santomero about internship opportunities that Outdoor Outreach sponsors. Through Outdoor Outreach’s partnership with the USFWS, Chris was able to connect me with the organization.
Q: Can you tell us about your role?
A: My role consists of working with the Urban Refuge Coordinator, to complete pertinent tasks around the refuge. For example, I facilitate habitat restoration projects with schools and landscaping areas that are overgrown. I help conduct maintenance of the different apparatuses around the grounds such as fencing, nesting enclosures, and irrigation systems.
My role also promotes environmental awareness by educating youth and the community about where we recreate right here in San Diego.
Q: What is your favorite part about your job?
A: I love putting things together and making them work. It is enjoyable to me. Especially if it benefits other people and wildlife. I think my work is similar to a ranch hand. If there is something out of place or needs tending to, I will be the person to get it done.
Q: What are some of the local endangered plants and animals in San Diego that people should be aware of?
Hermes Copper butterflies
Photo credit: www.dudek.com
CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER
Photo credit: www.allaboutbirds.org
BURROWING OWLS
Photo credit: www.ebird.org
Mexican Flannelbush
Photo credit: www.sandiegozoo.org
Q: What is your advice on how we can better take care of our environment and wildlife?
A: Treat the space you recreate in like it is your responsibility to keep it well. Always leave no trace!
Q: How have you personally grown during your internship?
A: I have gone through the process of becoming a federal employee and learned more aspects of biology, ecology, conservation work. My biggest takeaway from this internship is that there are many different fields of work that are available within the USFWS.
