Summer 2026 with Communications & Outreach Intern, Abigail Tello

At the beginning of our busy field season, we equipped each of our seasonal staff with a waterproof film camera so that they could capture their unique Sageland Collaborative experience.

For our Communications & Outreach intern, Abigail, this was a summer of exploration as she got an inside look at our community science programs through video and graphic design, shared the joy of this work at outreach events, and got hands-on with the restoration process.

Get a glimpse into Abigail’s summer experience with us through her photo blog and interview below:

What has been your main takeaway from your time interning with Sageland Collaborative?

It feels as though this list could be endless. My time with Sageland Collaborative has changed how I view the conservation world in Utah. There are so many organizations doing great work together. It has shown me that big changes can be made together. It takes that extra step of working together to take action and see a difference in environments and communities.

I’ve also learned to just take action. There are so many resources for any interest out there! Sageland has helped me acknowledge the fact that I would shut down many windows of curiosity, either out of fear of it being too detailed that I couldn’t catch up or too time consuming I wouldn’t be committed enough. Those are all just things I would tell myself to justify my fears, but any interest is worth exploring, regardless of imagined limitations: you don’t need to be a bird expert to go birding, and you don’t need to know all your bugs to pursue pollinators! There are small steps we can take to expand our horizons — through volunteering, subscribing to a newsletter, or reading and connecting with others about a topic.

I can’t wait to bring this desire to learn into other aspects of my life.

What role do you see communications playing in conservation?

Communication is the glue to everything in our world that is ruled by the media. It’s the bridge that connects scientists to communities. Especially right now, there seems to be an extensive importance in regards to data and policies. It helps make this information more accessible to the people it may impact most, and the general public. Today, many conservation issues can be intimidating due to the lack of connection with nature. After my summer reconnecting with Utah’s landscapes, I was reminded by the fact that it’s only human nature to want to be outside. Sometimes, we just need a little reminder of the beauty around, even if that’s an Instagram reel of a beaver swimming around. Communication allows for a greater opportunity to spread awareness and opportunities!

How has your understanding of "conservation" changed since you started this internship?

In the beginning of my internship, I would heavily think about what conservation means. There were always thought provoking conversations that would peak my curiosity. This ultimately led me to write “Hope for Conservation”. I sat down with people from the office to try and understand how and why people perceive the definition of conservation so differently.

In the end, my understanding has greatly changed. Initially thinking that conservation was very straight forward, use let water, plant some trees, and advocate for local policies to support the environment. It’s so much more than that, it’s listening to scientists and understanding the ecology of our land. Listening to the people who care for the land. Conservation is the work behind the feeling and experience of Earth, hoping that future generations will be able to experience the same feeling.

Any memorable experiences that you'd like to share from your internship?

This summer was one full of memorable experiences. Many of them do include my fellow seasonal staff. I absolutely was so happy to help out with the Stream Team on many of their Rapid Stream Riparian Assessments (RSRAs), and many other things in between!

One day, we went out to Silver Lake to remove & replace a beaver deceiver. It was a beautiful day with an overcast, and my first day ever wearing waders. I will never forget how odd the feeling of my legs getting compressed as I entered the water felt. Kort, the Riverscape Intern, topped her waders, as did I later in the day. When we took them off, we were drenched and didn’t catch a second to breath from laughing so much. Shane and I were yanking on the old beaver deceiver that wouldn’t move, we eventually had four people tugging. That day was lots of fun, and I would always learn so much of river systems and of course, beavers!

I also had the opportunity to represent Sageland at the Ecological Society of America (ESA) conference. I had so much fun talking to people from all over the world to tell them about Sageland Collaboratives work! Not only did I teach people about our local impacts, but also got to learn about the work they do. It was inspiring and grounding.

Yes! Count Me In!

What's next for you? Next steps, big dreams?

Oh my goodness, too many dreams to name — maybe that’s my Sagittarius sign coming out! For now, I will be completing my last year of undergrad at the University of Utah in Urban Planning & Political Science. I hope to do so while exploring ways to bridge my academic background with conservation work. I’m looking into graduate programs across the US, and potentially abroad.

For now, I will enjoy my time in Salt Lake City with my amazing communities to continue to be a part of the action.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Explore Utah! As a born & raised Utahn, I always knew people would come out to enjoy Utah’s incredible landscapes, but I never did it myself. This summer has absolutely changed my connection with nature. It feels good to want to take advantage of all the beautiful views the state has to offer. So to my other local Utahns, I suggest learning the art of becoming a tourist in your own home. If you’re reading this, then you’ve already taken the right steps!

Just a huge thanks for the entire Sageland Collaborative team. I always felt so safe to ask questions and learn. A special thanks to Sierra, for always allowing me to build on new ideas! And perhaps more importantly, for making me a bug girl. #BugGirlSummer

We are proud to foster the next generation of natural resources professionals - from the sciences to communications, it takes all of us to make an impact for the wildlife and lands we love.

Fill out the interest form on our Career Opportunities page to stay up-to-date on opportunities to join the Sageland Collaborative team.

Article by Sierra Hastings
Photos by Abigail Tello, Kort Maeda, and Elan Powless

A Comms & Outreach #BugGirlSummer