To encourage up-and-coming leaders in natural water conservation and protection, the Friends of Old Woman Creek, through your generous donations, sponsor up to two Interns each summer. The Old Woman Creek staff select and supervise the interns and the Friends finances the stipend for each intern.

Kate Boutell (below left) is the 2024 Friends of Old Woman Creek Stewardship Intern. Kate, originally from 30 minutes outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is currently a junior at Oberlin College where she is double majoring in biology and environmental studies. She recently completed a study abroad in Costa Rica and has previously served as a Visitor Services intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Her main interest is wildlife, especially reptiles and amphibians. She is super grateful and excited to be working at OWC this summer!

Kimberly Villanueva (below right) is from Hutchinson, Kansas.  She is the 2024 Friends of Old Woman Creek Education Intern. She is a senior majoring in environmental science at the University of Kansas. She is interested in a career in environmental justice, where she aspires to help low-income and minority communities that face disproportionate environmental harm. Outside of school, Kimberly works at Clinton Parkway Nursery. In her free time, she enjoys running, watching TV shows, reading books, journaling, and hiking nature trails.

In addition to their primary areas of Stewardship and Education, both Kate and Kimberly will also be assisting in the other OWC areas of Research, Monitoring, and Coastal Training. The next time you are at the OWC Visitors Center, you may have the chance to say ‘Hi’ to Kate and Kimberlee.