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Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experiences online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
From coastal shrubs to rainforests, animal homes across the world are constantly threatened by human development, invasive species, and climate change. As a result, habitats are fragmented and isolated making it difficult for species across the globe to thrive. Given our city’s high concentrations of urban development, it’s easy to overlook that San Diego is blessed with having one of the most biodiverse, or species rich, counties in the United States. Unfortunately, it also happens to be a region with one of the highest concentrations of endangered species. Ryan Fitch, Research Associate for the Institute of Conservation Research’s Plant Conservation Division, is passionate about making a difference for native plant species. Mr. Fitch uses his work to be actively involved in restoring Southern California’s fragmented coastal sage scrub habitats in efforts to conserve endemic species threatened by habitat loss.
Currently, Mr. Fitch is working on a project to save a species of bird native to Southern California known as the coastal cactus wren. Since 1990, this species has had a significant population decline of nearly 80%. Currently, cactus wrens are considered a species of concern, one step before being labeled as endangered. These birds make their nests suspended in the spines of prickly pear cacti, which offer protection from both terrestrial and aerial predators. Additionally, these birds forage on insects found in coastal sage scrub, which is a habitat unique to Southern California. Unfortunately human development and the introduction of invasive plant species have displaced many species essential to the survival of the coastal cactus wren.
Mr. Fitch and his colleagues, with the help of over 100 volunteers, have collected about 4,000 cactus pads from Lake Hodges and the Safari Park. During our time with Mr. Fitch, we had the opportunity to help with the planting process. First, we helped prepare the potting soil, and then we planted cactus pads in the prepared pots. Lastly, we moved the potted cacti into the sunshine to grow and mature. Once the cacti pads have had ample time to mature, they will be replanted along the south side of Lake Hodges or at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve.
Even though Mr. Fitch is actively involved in restoring native habitats today, he had a rather interesting career change along the way. Mr. Fitch originally studied to become a civil engineer at San Diego State University. However, he later realized that he wanted to make a difference, not necessarily impacting the world, but instead by working in his local area of San Diego. After realizing civil engineering was not for him, Mr. Fitch returned to San Diego State earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology. He then found his way into the field of plant conservation by requesting to help his biology professors with lab work and taking up related internships.
After an enjoyable session planting and working with cacti with Mr. Fitch, he left us with a few pieces of advice. Mr. Fitch told us that although it got him where he wanted to be, an emphasis in ecological biology may have been more relevant to his field than evolutionary biology. Secondly, Mr. Fitch recommended taking advantage of any opportunities to get involved with research projects as he did as an undergraduate. Lastly, and most importantly, he encouraged us all to make a difference in our own communities.
Gianfranco, Career Team
Winter Session, 2017
From coastal shrubs to rainforests, animal homes across the world are constantly threatened by human development, invasive species, and climate change. As a result, habitats are fragmented and isolated making it difficult for species across the globe to thrive. Given our city’s high concentrations of urban development, it’s easy to overlook that San Diego is blessed with having one of the most biodiverse, or species rich, counties in the United States. Unfortunately, it also happens to be a region with one of the highest concentrations of endangered species. Ryan Fitch, Research Associate for the Institute of Conservation Research’s Plant Conservation Division, is passionate about making a difference for native plant species. Mr. Fitch uses his work to be actively involved in restoring Southern California’s fragmented coastal sage scrub habitats in efforts to conserve endemic species threatened by habitat loss.
Currently, Mr. Fitch is working on a project to save a species of bird native to Southern California known as the coastal cactus wren. Since 1990, this species has had a significant population decline of nearly 80%. Currently, cactus wrens are considered a species of concern, one step before being labeled as endangered. These birds make their nests suspended in the spines of prickly pear cacti, which offer protection from both terrestrial and aerial predators. Additionally, these birds forage on insects found in coastal sage scrub, which is a habitat unique to Southern California. Unfortunately human development and the introduction of invasive plant species have displaced many species essential to the survival of the coastal cactus wren.
Mr. Fitch and his colleagues, with the help of over 100 volunteers, have collected about 4,000 cactus pads from Lake Hodges and the Safari Park. During our time with Mr. Fitch, we had the opportunity to help with the planting process. First, we helped prepare the potting soil, and then we planted cactus pads in the prepared pots. Lastly, we moved the potted cacti into the sunshine to grow and mature. Once the cacti pads have had ample time to mature, they will be replanted along the south side of Lake Hodges or at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve.
Even though Mr. Fitch is actively involved in restoring native habitats today, he had a rather interesting career change along the way. Mr. Fitch originally studied to become a civil engineer at San Diego State University. However, he later realized that he wanted to make a difference, not necessarily impacting the world, but instead by working in his local area of San Diego. After realizing civil engineering was not for him, Mr. Fitch returned to San Diego State earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology. He then found his way into the field of plant conservation by requesting to help his biology professors with lab work and taking up related internships.
After an enjoyable session planting and working with cacti with Mr. Fitch, he left us with a few pieces of advice. Mr. Fitch told us that although it got him where he wanted to be, an emphasis in ecological biology may have been more relevant to his field than evolutionary biology. Secondly, Mr. Fitch recommended taking advantage of any opportunities to get involved with research projects as he did as an undergraduate. Lastly, and most importantly, he encouraged us all to make a difference in our own communities.
Gianfranco, Career Team
Winter Session, 2017
