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Meet Mady Brock, a graduate of Wildlife Sciences at the University of Idaho. Brock grew up in a small agricultural town in the Central Valley of California and loves dancing, reading, and drawing. She also has a passion for nature and the outdoors and was an intern with the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program.
Brock had the opportunity to work with the Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office located in Honolulu. Her time was spent providing support to the Papah膩naumoku膩kea Marine National Monument program which is co-managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the State of Hawai鈥榠 Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). She had a very unique opportunity to spend part of her internship out at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial at Kuaihelani (Midway).
What have you accomplished during your internship?
I had the honor of a very full and busy internship. At events like the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), I colored on marine debris with the keiki, educating them about ocean pollution and the Papah膩naumoku膩kea Marine National Monument. I also traveled to Kuaihelani and experienced some of the beauty that the monument has to offer. I met many amazing people who work and volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working alongside them and absorbing their wisdom and knowledge. Additionally, I participated in shoreline clean-ups on O鈥榓hu and Kuaihelani. The primary focus of my internship was to design the Junior Biologist Program for the Papah膩naumoku膩kea Marine National Monument. 皇冠体育app下载 on the graphic design side of conservation education, I created and compiled a curriculum course book for all ages, teaching them about Papah膩naumoku膩kea, various species, and the careers available in environmental conservation.
Become a Papah膩naumoku膩kea Junior Biologist by completing this insightful and exciting workbook from the comfort of your home, yard or other outdoor areas! Download the pdf here: Papah膩naumoku膩kea Junior Biologist Workbook
What was your favorite thing about your internship?
My favorite part was experiencing Kuaihelani. Coming from the mainland and having lived in Idaho for three years, seeing such a remote island was incredibly eye-opening, especially witnessing the vastness of the ocean. But during my six-week stay in Honolulu, I met local keiki and listened to their dreams, hobbies, and favorite ice cream flavors. I also connected with people my age and older from different backgrounds and experiences, learning about the Hawaiian culture. Meeting new people and learning are my favorite things, and this internship nurtured that opportunity, for which I am forever grateful.
What was your experience at Kuaihelani?
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about Kuaihelani is seeing the whole sky. As a cloud and space nerd, I was captivated the entire time. I spent 14 days on Kuaihelani and never missed a sunset. When the nights were clear, you could find me lying on my back, gazing up at the cathedral of stars and the vast stretch of the Milky Way spanning end-to-end of the horizon. Many people in the western mainland can relate to the scarcity of an unpolluted sky, where mountain and tree silhouettes or massive deposits of light pollution often obstruct the view. On Kuaihelani, it was nearly a 360-degree panorama of pure stars. Another aspect that deeply resonated with me was the slower pace of life. Unlike the car-dependent trap of much of our world, with road noise and asphalt occupying most of our land, Kuaihelani used bikes, golf carts, and ATVs, which made getting around much more fun! With limited WiFi access on the island, I was free from constant distractions like social media, and texting. So during meals and work times, I often would leave the house without my phone. The endemic species were also extraordinary, many of which few people will ever see, such as tiny snails and bunch grasses. I witnessed albatross chicks in their awkward growing stages, native plants rippling in the wind, and seabirds flying over a glittering ocean of ethereal colors, sometimes swooping inches from my head. Seeing these endemic species that most have never seen, let alone future generations may not hear about, it鈥檚 difficult to describe this experience in just a few words, but it is one I will continue to share with others, reminding them that places like Kuaihelani exist and need our protection.
What did you learn about Hawai鈥榠's natural and cultural resources?
Coming from Idaho, which has its own distinct culture, I was deeply struck by the richness of Hawaiian culture. Despite my studies in plant and animal identification, indigenous perspectives, and natural resource politics at my university, nothing could fully prepare me for what I encountered in O鈥榓hu. I discovered that a profound connection to and appreciation for nature is a universal theme across cultures, regardless of geographical location. I learned about the Hawaiian people鈥檚 deep-rooted relationship with the land, including the concepts of p艒 (the darkness) and ao (the light), traditional navigation methods, and the resourcefulness in using their environment. Engaging with both keiki and adults, I explored how their connection to the islands influences their way of life and daily practices. The ocean, a massive resource that is often forgotten about by someone from a landlocked state, became a central focus of my understanding. One of my favorite aspects of my time in Hawai鈥榠 was learning about the Hawaiian language. Beyond simple greetings, I delved into the Hawaiian names for species, the meanings behind them, and the intentionality embedded in these names by the people of Hawai鈥榠.
What are your plans for the future?
I aspire to pursue a career in environmental education. I believe that knowledge is the most powerful tool against ignorance and fear. My goal is to use my experiences to educate new generations about the wonders of the natural world. Growing up fearful of the outdoors, where I didn鈥檛 know career options like field biologist and zoologist, were out there, I hope to teach children and adults who were like me about the wonders of our natural world. Whether as a national park interpreter, field guide, or teacher, I want to help children and adults understand and appreciate the environment and help fight to protect it. I also believe that art can convey messages in ways that words alone cannot and resonates with people on a different level. By integrating my passion for art into environmental outreach, I aim to reveal the uniqueness of our planet to a broader audience. Through my social media, I spread awareness about current environmental issues and endangered species, using art to engage and educate the public. I also do commission-based work and plan to continue this well into the future, combining my artistic and educational pursuits to make a lasting impact.
