A September morning in Curtis Prairie.
The Arboretum hires more than a dozen college students a year, for summer seasonal roles as outdoor educators and assistant staff in land care and the gardens, as well as year-round positions as rangers and Visitor Center staff.
As students go back to campus, reunite with friends, and pursue their studies and goals, we’d like to recognize our wonderful crew of hard-working, curious, insightful students. We find great meaning and enjoyment working alongside them – learning, exploring the outdoors, and making community for all of us. We wish our students the very best for the school year and look forward to seeing them again at “the Arb” soon!
- Outdoor Educators
- Land Care Restoration and Horticultural Garden Interns
- Native Plant Garden Assistants
- Assistant Rangers
- Visitor Center Assistants
Outdoor Educators
Arboretum outdoor educators plan and lead Earth Focus Day Camps. They work closely with the education team, especially Maddie Smith, our community education coordinator. The outdoor educators are responsible for planning and running camp programs and working with the campers. Since 2021, the role has become a trained and paid internship with abundant experiential learning, essentially providing a career development opportunity for the students.
Maddie Smith says: “Each summer, student staff bring new energy and creativity to our summer camps and other educational programs. They inspire me and others with their curiosity. We form strong bonds with the land and each other – it’s bittersweet when summer comes to an end. My first job at the Arboretum was as a student, and it completely changed the trajectory of my career. I fell in love with the Arboretum and I never wanted to leave – so I haven’t!”
Madeleine Afonso
I am a fifth-year senior from outside Seattle, Washington. I study botany, journalism, and Italian with a certificate in European studies. These areas of study combine my academic interests and curiosities – foreign language, culture, literature and writing, and the natural world and science. Botany is the centering force of my studies, and I plan to pursue graduate school and a career in ethnobotany. I’d love to study medicinal plants and fungi. I love botanizing and foraging, wandering in the woods, and obsessively buying books faster than I can read them.
I began visiting the Arboretum early in my undergrad career and was captivated by its gorgeous prairies, woodlands, and savannas. A couple years ago I had the privilege to conduct a research project here for Botany 455: Vegetation of Wisconsin, and my love for the Arboretum continued to grow. I saw summer jobs here, and it worked out that I would also be conducting summer fieldwork for my senior thesis about wild bergamot, with botany graduate student and Arboretum Research Fellow Linden Taylor. So working here this summer has meant double the time outdoors in the woods and prairies, and there’s no other way I’d want to spend my summer!
I’ve really enjoyed learning from everyone at the Arboretum: the outdoor educators, naturalists, gardeners, researchers, rangers, restoration specialists, citizen scientists, visitors, and even our summer campers. It’s been a real privilege to learn from incredible people who are passionate, curious, and loving towards the natural world. The mycoflora of the Arboretum has especially captivated me this summer, and I never thought that, as a botanist in training, I’d become such a mycophile.
People and the natural world, books, photography, cooking, learning about new cultures and traveling are all meaningful to me. I love combining forces with my ornithology-obsessed mom and oceanography-obsessed younger sister when we go out and about to natural areas. Also, I can’t forget my cat Toast.
Annika Elliott
I am from Shorewood, Wisconsin, and I will be a senior this fall studying elementary education, kindergarten through ninth grade, with certificates in disability rights and services and environmental studies. Outside of work and school, I spend my time running, rock climbing, and reading. I’m especially drawn to non-fiction books about people’s explorations and experiences in the natural world, which often inspire my own adventures as I enjoy camping and hiking whenever I get the chance!
I wanted to work at the Arboretum this summer to share my love for the outdoors and inspire others to learn more about the natural spaces in their own communities. I am passionate about teaching others about the environment and inspiring care for our planet.
Through my time at the Arboretum, I hoped to continue learning more about our local environment and ecosystems while gaining hands-on experience. I also aimed to improve my teaching skills and grow by observing, learning from, and collaborating with others.
My family, friends, and dog (Serge, whom I love very much) are the most meaningful things in my life. I care deeply about the people around me and feel happiest when I can spend quality time with those I love.
Vivian Steinke
I am from Evanston, Illinois. I am a senior at UW–Madison majoring in conservation biology and music performance (on the trumpet). In my free time I enjoy all things music and all things outdoors. I am also a member of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, which played a role in why I chose UW–Madison.
I wanted to work at the Arboretum because I have always been interested in nature and incorporating it into my daily life. The Arboretum is a hidden gem in Madison, and I love coming here on my own time. I hope to get a lot of teaching experience here and generally learn how to frame nature in an exciting way for people of all ages.
At the Arboretum, I hoped to gain knowledge in as many fields as possible. Over the past two years, I have developed a great interest in plants, trees, fungi, and especially birding. I hope to keep learning about new things (and how to identify them). I hope to keep learning about conservation and restoration that I can apply to other parts of my life and future careers.
Spending time with my friends and family is important to me, whether going home to visit or traveling or going on adventures together. My pets are also important to me; I have three dogs and two turtles at home!
Lilith Wehrs
Hi! My name is Lilith and I am from La Crosse, Wisconsin. I will be a senior in the fall, studying environmental studies and community and organizational development. Outside of work I enjoy camping, thrifting, and spending time with my friends and family!
Although I am unsure of my exact environmental career plan, I believe education is fundamental in creating a cultural consensus on climate change. I wanted to work somewhere with dedicated individuals who are actively working to restore and protect the environment.
As a college student, I’m still finding my niche. Working at the Arboretum has introduced me to so many people with completely different areas of expertise. One day I will talk to an expert birder, and the next day a native plant specialist. I have soaked up information from the extremely knowledgeable staff, from the land care crew to researchers to naturalists. My identification skills are also a work in progress.
My people are the most meaningful thing to me. My family, my friends, and all the other wonderful people in my life bring me immense joy.
Lucille Wineberg
My name is Lucy, and I am from Madison, Wisconsin. I currently attend UW–Madison, studying botany with a certificate in environmental studies. I love spending time outdoors and am a huge plant and fungi enthusiast! In school I am actively doing research to understand changes in prairie plant species composition. Some of my sites include the Arboretum’s prairies!
I chose to work at the Arboretum because I love working with kids and wanted to explore environmental education. I also wanted to combine education with other areas of interest, including restoration work and nature identification skills.
One of my main goals at the Arboretum is to strengthen my skills identifying prairie plants. I would also love to form strong connections with other employees who I look up to and admire. In general, I’m hoping to have a good time!
Some of the most important things to me include helping to restore our amazing planet and protecting the environment.
Land Care Restoration and Horticultural Garden Interns
Arboretum ecological restoration and horticultural collection assistants work alongside land care staff in natural areas as well as the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens staff. They gain experience learning restoration techniques, native landscape management, and woody plant care, and they have opportunities to build skills like plant and animal identification and tree and shrub care.
Michael Hansen, land care manager, says: “Hannah, Maryam, and Mesa formed a great crew this summer. They assisted with tasks such as invasive species removal, garden specimen care, and seed collection, among many others. They were not afraid to get their hands dirty, and their enthusiasm for the work and learning while enduring this summer’s heat, humidity, and mosquitoes was very impressive. They were also fun to have around!”
Hannah De Guzman (they/them)
I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and now go to UW–Madison for my undergraduate degree in botany and conservation biology. I’m moving into my senior year, and I have loved working with and learning about plants and the vast diversity of life they support. During the school year, I work at the Botany Greenhouse and Garden, where you can find me watering. I love being in nature and hiking, hammocking, and paddling, as well as reading and cooking. I chose Madison as it has such great opportunities to be outdoors, with so many interesting natural areas around, and robust programs to learn about them!
The first time I drove into the Arboretum, it felt like I was entering a national park, except it was in the middle of the city. I’ve been in awe of this area ever since – it provides a wonderful, accessible, diverse, and interesting piece of land. And being part of UW–Madison and research focused, I admire its presence in the space between science, research, and public access to nature. These are important to me, and I was eager to learn how the land is managed and cared for, and also to interact with and learn about it by working here and not as a visitor.
I hoped to learn more plants and see more blooms, and to learn about land management. There are so many different approaches to conservation, and learning and diversifying my own experience is very important to me as I move forward within the field.
Maryam Islam
I grew up in Chicago but spent many vacations and summers in Wisconsin, especially at my grandparents’ property in southern Wisconsin, where they restored a native Wisconsin prairie inspired by Aldo Leopold’s writings. I’m a fourth-generation Badger double majoring in environmental science and conservation biology at UW–Madison. In my free time, I love camping, hiking, reading, and painting.
I’m interested in restoration ecology and the different techniques the Arboretum uses to conserve the natural areas. I also love learning about Wisconsin native plants, and working in land care means my plant identification skills are definitely improving. I also wanted to work in a fieldwork job as I hadn’t had that experience yet.
I’d like to gain professional experience in fieldwork and restoration ecology to better understand Wisconsin’s landscapes. Experience is the best teacher, so while working towards my degree in conservation biology I’m also learning how lessons in my classes are being applied in the real world.
I love to travel! My favorite trip I’ve been on was a road trip out west to a bunch of U.S. National Parks, including Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Badlands, and Mesa Verde. At Yellowstone, we hit a lucky streak and got stuck in a bison herd, watched gray wolves, and saw a bear as we left the park at sunset.
Maryam came to the Arboretum as part of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Diversity in Conservation Internship program.
Mesa Rasmussen
Prior to university, I lived my whole life in the small central Wisconsin town of Greenwood. Currently, I am a senior at UW–Madison studying wildlife ecology, with a certificate in environmental studies. I have always loved the outdoors and grew up engaging in activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, riding horses, and more. After finding wildlife ecology in the list of majors at UW–Madison, I immediately knew that I wanted to go into that field, and I love all the opportunities this major has given me.
This Arboretum position lined up with my academic interests as well as my eagerness to gaining experience in fieldwork. Ecological restoration is firmly aligned with wildlife ecology; however, I have not learned about it through my classes at UW. I felt this was the perfect position to learn about restoration techniques, native species, and common invasive species, and to gain practical experience and skills using machinery and tools.
At the Arboretum, I wanted to gain experience and knowledge in restoration ecology that I can translate to my area of study and utilize in a future career. Furthermore, I wanted the opportunity to develop a better understanding of what I want my future job to look like.
The natural environment has always been important to me, for recreational activities like hiking, horse riding, and wildlife watching, and for my professional life, getting a degree and searching for a career in wildlife ecology. The outdoors also brings me together with my friends and family.
Native Plant Garden Assistants
Native Plant Garden assistants help curator Susan Carpenter with every aspect of the garden, from weeding to monitoring native pollinators to working with garden volunteers. During their summer as garden assistants, Holly and Kate shared many interests – especially fungi! (You can read more about the fungi they found in the September Gardening with Native Plants column.)
Susan Carpenter says: “I’ve enjoyed twenty-one summers of working and learning with enthusiastic, reliable, hard-working, and inquisitive students in the Native Plant Garden. While gardening, they make connections to previous jobs and university coursework. They also cheerfully tolerate garden realities: heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and chiggers. But we always find questions and fun as we plant, weed, and monitor the garden with our many garden volunteers. Thank you, Holly and Kate, our gardening summer has gone by too fast!”
Holly Johnson
I’m a botany student at UW–Madison. I am interested in small plant life and am doing independent research on the distribution of Sphagnum moss in Wisconsin, compared to historical records. I also work at the Wisconsin State Herbarium, and I am researching fungal pathogenesis on soybean in the UW Kabbage Lab.
I was incredibly excited for the opportunity to grow as a botanist this summer by observing life in the Native Plant Garden. It is special to be part of the garden cycle through the seasons and watch how our hard work of planting, weeding, pruning, watering, and tending the plants contributes to a beautiful display of Wisconsin’s native flora.
Susan Carpenter is an absolute wealth of information, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with her this summer. Every day I learned a new plant, fungus, or insect! I came into this job to learn the native plants of Wisconsin, but the garden supports so much life outside the plant kingdom. We spent a lot of time distracted by the bumblebees, rusts, critters, mushrooms, and other insects and fungi amongst the plants.
I am a self-taught metalsmith, and I enjoy making jewelry in my free time. For my next project, I plan to skeletize a leaf, roll its venation pattern into silver, and create a ring band that looks like a leaf wrapped around my finger.
Kate Leonard
I am from Maryland and majoring in Environmental Economics in the UW–Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
I wanted to work at the Arboretum to spend the summer surrounded by plants in such a welcoming environment. Additionally, I am passionate about native plant restoration and was super excited to learn more about native plant gardening.
I have learned so much about plant identification and the relationship between pollinators and the plants in the native plant garden. Every day that I came in to work I left with new knowledge about the Arboretum history and the plants in the garden!
I love to spend my free time making pottery and exploring new crafts.
Assistant Rangers
Student rangers work year-round at the Arboretum and provide essential support to Stephanie Petersen, the full-time staff ranger. They walk the trails, talk with visitors, share etiquette reminders, collect phenology observations, and much more. They also help maintain (and even repair and build) trails, collect garbage, and assist other staff members as needed.
Stephanie Petersen says: “My whole team is student rangers, so working with students is essential to my job. As a team, we foster a safe and welcoming environment at the Arboretum. My crew is hard working; they are always up for a trail project, helping other units, or improving the visitor experience. It has been great to see their professional growth in the assistant ranger position, and I hope their work here prepares them for their future careers.”
Audrey Braun
I am from Racine, Wisconsin. I graduated from UW–Madison in May with a degree in conservation biology and environmental studies. I picked Madison because it has always felt like home.
I wanted to work at the Arboretum after participating in my environmental studies capstone. I spent that semester-long project monitoring the buckthorn population in the Grady Tract. I surveyed every week and eventually just fell in love with it. When it came time to search for summer internships, I saw the ranger position and knew I had found my dream job! I love the unique intersection of interacting with people and land stewardship that we rangers get to do.
After working as a ranger for a year, I have learned so much. Specifically, I have gained an appreciation for the phenology of the local area. Watching and waiting for seasonal flora and fauna has given me a deep connection with the Arboretum. It has enhanced and let me exercise all I have learned in my college courses.
The most important thing to me is spending time with my friends and family. I love to play pickleball, cook delicious meals for my roommates, and scrapbook!
Dara Carneol
I’m from Milwaukee and was originally going to attend DePaul University to study film. However, I took a gap year and volunteered on farms throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, which completely changed the way I looked at the world and what I wanted to do with my life. After completing a year of environmental studies at DePaul, I transferred to Madison for a more robust program.
It is so special to work in a space with such immense cultural and botanical history. During the summer of 2024 I was an urban forestry intern with the City of Milwaukee, and I found fulfillment in tree and plant care and maintenance. Working at the Arboretum is extension of my curiosity of the natural world.
I hope to hone my plant and tree identification as well as being an effective liaison between new visitors and all of the wonderful trails, nooks, and crannies that the Arboretum has to offer.
In my free time, I am on the airwaves at Madison’s student radio station WSUM, playing Bananagrams, and working on my cloud identification. I can also be found perfecting my combinations for the perfect yogurt bowl.
Kyle Eith
I graduated from McFarland High School and then spent two years at UW–Eau Claire. In Eau Claire I spent a lot of time outdoors and decided to transfer to Madison to pursue a degree in wildlife ecology. I am going into my senior year and am excited to see where this field takes me.
I visited the Arboretum many times growing up, so it’s been a favorite Madison location for a while. I love the abundant wildlife and flora and how quickly everything changes. When I saw that there was a student assistant ranger job available I thought it sounded like a really cool job, so I applied.
I’ve already learned a ton about phenology, plant and animal identification, and a slew of other random facts, from the construction of Madison to Arboretum ghost stories. For the rest of my time working here I really want to learn more about the timing of wildlife migration and nesting and how it corresponds with the changes in plant phenology.
In my free time I like to play music, hike, and be around friends and family.
Gwen Hirtz
I’m currently working towards my bachelor’s degree in forestry and a certificate in sustainability at the UW–Madison. I previously received my associate degree in science from Madison College and took part in their Liberal Arts Transfer Program in STEM, with a smooth transition to UW–Madison. Aside from my academics, I love to be outside! I enjoy swimming, hiking, kayaking, and any activity that gets me outdoors.
I’ve wanted to be a ranger for many years. When the opportunity arose to be one during school, I couldn’t pass it up. Arboretum land and the staff are a dream to work with, and I simply could not imagine myself working anywhere else during my time at UW. The Arboretum is like a living flash card set! The species hosted and cared for here allow me to work on tree, plant, and animal identification for my classes and personal knowledge!
My time spent in the natural world is everything to me, along with my family and friends. I am always full of gratitude when I’m in these spaces with my favorite people!
Madelyn Radtke
I grew up in Wisconsin and am currently studying environmental science and political science. I chose UW–Madison because the environmental science program ranks highly, particularly in the areas of natural resources and conservation, and I thought that would be well supported by a strong political science background. My hobbies include hiking, camping, collecting/pinning insects, painting, and gardening.
I wanted to work at the Arboretum to better understand what natural resource management and restoration looks like in Madison. I also love getting to work outside all day and talk to people within my community about nature!
I hope to learn about both small and large-scale restoration (specifically prairie restoration), public outreach, and natural resource management.
My friends, family, and cat are important to me, and so is protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
Visitor Center Assistant
Visitor Center assistants help with many areas of visitor services, such as working in the bookstore, tending the welcome desk, and supporting room rental, art gallery, and private event operations.
Brad Freihoefer, Visitor Center manager, says: “Over the last two years, Mariana has transformed Visitor Center operations and helped us accomplish new goals. She also welcomed thousands of visitors and helped them connect to Wisconsin ecological communities at the Arboretum and beyond. She is an invaluable part of the team and her focus, determination, execution, care, and ability to problem solve have helped our visitors, volunteers, staff, and researchers. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside her these past two years.”
Mariana Foley
I am from Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and I am studying environmental science and sustainability at UW–Madison. I like to go outside, and I like to read. I chose to come to Madison because of all the environmental research done here.
I wanted to work at the Arboretum because it is centered on restoration and research. It aligns well with what I’m studying and passionate about. I wanted to get to know people who are involved here through research, land care, or daily operations. This is a really important place, and I wanted to be a part of it.
While working here, I hoped to be able to get to know nature better. Although I mainly work inside, I’m surrounded by knowledgeable people who know the environment well, so I hear about different native and invasive species, prescribed burns, biodiversity, and research projects. I’ve learned about a lot of mushrooms and other plant species so far!
My connections and relationships to people are meaningful to me. I love getting to know new people and connecting over things such as nature. People make my life feel full.
