Adelynn Todd: Insight and Inspiration Gained at the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex

By Sarah McCord

September 2025

This summer, student intern, Adelynn Todd, moved from Texas to Maine to serve as the Education and Outreach intern at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge comprises thousands of acres of protected habitat and ecosystems for coastal wildlife and natural resources conservation. Daily tasks specific to Adelynn during her internship experience included the interpretation of research, curriculum development, and visitor experience enhancement related to the refuge system. In addition, Adelynn had the opportunity to visit several East Coast islands to participate in fieldwork, productivity plot setup, and seabird censuses, which improved her curricula development process.

When asked to share her favorite internship memory, Adelynn mentioned a trip to Petit Manan Island to conduct fieldwork. Adelynn shared, “I had the opportunity to see and hold a baby puffin, a black guillemot, a storm petrel, and a common tern. I learned how their artificial nests are built and even climbed to the top of the lighthouse for an overview of the island.” Upon returning from the island using water transportation, Adelynn learned how to interpret the vessel’s Global Positioning System (GPS), basic maritime manners, and proper boating operation.

Through varied experiences engaging with refuge visitors, ecosystem wildlife and habitat, and curriculum and resource development strategies, Adelynn's internship experience proved to be incredibly rewarding; “This internship has met my expectations and has provided some positive differences, such as full flexibility in curriculum design and ample field experience.” Not only was she professionally fulfilled, but Adelynn gained inspiration from the experiences and opportunities her internship afforded her.

Adelynn remains excited to pursue a career in wildlife and natural resource conservation and aims to include more research in her portfolio. She says, “I have been drawn toward research after experiencing fieldwork on the islands and with the seabirds. This internship has made me realize, without a doubt, that I want to pursue a career in the National Wildlife Refuge System after I graduate.” Adelynn exemplifies academic and professional leadership development geared toward natural resource education and conservation research.