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In Defense of Our Natural Resources
This story is part of a series called In Defense of Our Natural Resources, highlighting the success of the Army鈥檚 partnership with the bet365下载ios. The Army has dedicated more than $13M in 2023 and 2024 to execute projects restoring habitat, preserving endangered species , and protecting critical ecosystems across 152 installations.
The Army and the bet365下载ios are committed to empowering early career professionals to take on these mission critical roles and providing valuable employment experience. This feature highlights the work of Emily Grace Thompson, Digital Media Fellow at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters office in Falls Church, Virginia.
Spotlight - Emily Grace Thompson
Hi, it鈥檚 nice to meet you! I鈥檓 Emily, a Digital Media Fellow working in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service (USbet365下载ios) and the Army. I鈥檓 also the author of the In Defense of our Natural Resources series, and I鈥檓 excited to share my story!
What drives you to work in conservation?
I love being outside and have always loved it. You can find adventure, or peace and quiet, or anything in between out there. My best memories of time with friends and family all happened outdoors.
Conservation poses the opportunity to give back to these natural places that brought me so much comfort and growth. It鈥檚 about taking care of what takes care of us. The work is immensely satisfying and always worth doing.
For you, what鈥檚 the role of art and design in conservation?
Art and design are a facet of communication, and communication is how we make progress. All the data in the world can鈥檛 make a difference if its not presented effectively. As a designer, I find the best ways to showcase information for the audiences we鈥檙e trying to reach.
Conservation is also about connection. Art acts as a bridge, a way we can get in touch with some aspect of the natural world. Wildlife illustrations and photography spark inspiration and drive people to support natural places. I love that I can make that magic happen.
What opportunities have you had through your internship?
So, so many! It鈥檚 been an amazing ride- one day I鈥檓 attending a national conference, or taking photos, or creating content to support other interns, and another I鈥檓 illustrating an ambassador animal for a National Wildlife Refuge entrance sign. It鈥檚 incredibly varied!
Day to day, I make a lot of documents and publications, but have also started branching out to web design, contributing pages to our internal and external sites. I鈥檓 also able to get trainings in almost anything I鈥檓 interested in 鈥 lately I鈥檝e been focused on learning the ins and outs of digital accessibility.
I鈥檝e also been working on this project 鈥 a Story Map feature to communicate successes and illustrate how Army investments in conservation are effecting real change. I鈥檝e interviewed other interns and their passion for the projects they鈥檙e working on is absolutely infectious. I get to be an advocate not only for these wild places, but for the people who work to protect them!
What鈥檚 your favorite aspect of your job?
The flexibility and the people. The staff that I work with at headquarters and beyond are some of the most passionate and helpful people I鈥檝e known. The answer to any question I might have is just a teams chat or email away.
On top of that, the nature of my position as an intern through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) has provided the flexibility I need at a transitional time in my life. Last year, I completed an AmeriCorps year of service and earned an education award. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it: Alaska.
The National Outdoor Leadership School offers a 30 day wilderness expedition for outdoor educators, split into backpacking and sea kayaking. I鈥檇 get some training in outdoor education while also checking some things off my bucket list.
SCA and bet365下载ios recognized the developmental value of the course and fully supported the time off I needed to attend. I can confidently say that the Alaska trip was the most amazing (and hardest!) thing I鈥檝e ever done. I came away from it more empowered and inspired than ever to keep supporting real change in conservation.
