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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 experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!
We have all seen those signs urging viewers to offer financial support through donations in order to better animal welfare and more often than not we guiltily turn away, and wonder where our money would even be going, or even how this endangered species relates to your daily life. I had never had a clear understanding of the work and dedication that goes into saving an entire species— until I met Maggie Reinbold. On Thursday, interns were given the opportunity o meet Ms. Reinbold. Despite the fact that Ms. Reinbold, the Director of Community Engagement at the Institute for Conservation Research, made the idea seem so simple with her enthusiasm and positivity, she emphasized the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into conserving our planet. After introductions and a couple of quick questions, Ms. Reinbold began our conservation journey with one of the most iconic success stories, the recovery California condor.
In 1967, the California condor was officially listed as an endangered species, and within two decades their population size dwindled down to only 22 individuals. At the time, the California condor was mainly threatened by power line collisions, lead poisoning, and micro-trash. Given the severity of the condor’s plight, the government reached out to the San Diego Zoo and other conservation organizations to bring this species back from the brink of extinction. Through extensive breeding and release programs, the San Diego Zoo, with the help of other conservation organizations, was able to recover the California condor from only 22 individuals to over 400 today!
While this is just one of the Zoo’s many ongoing conservation project, Ms. Reinbold and her team use these stories on a weekly basis to inspire incoming students to the Conservation Education Lab at the Institute. Furthermore, Ms. Reinbold uses these experiences to create educational programs for students and teachers. Through these conservation-based programs, Ms. Reinbold hopes to inspire incoming students and teachers to enact change into their daily lives. These programs range from learning about the Institute’s work with genetics to how researchers track animals in the wild.
At the end of the day, Ms. Reinbold hopes her programming inspires the public to lead sustainable lives. When asked what we can do in our everyday lives to better our planet, Ms. Reinbold urged us to be responsible consumers and be mindful of our carbon footprint. Over time, these small day to day actions can lead to global changes.
Until next time my fellow conservationists!
Telmera, Conservation Team
Winter Session, 2017
We have all seen those signs urging viewers to offer financial support through donations in order to better animal welfare and more often than not we guiltily turn away, and wonder where our money would even be going, or even how this endangered species relates to your daily life. I had never had a clear understanding of the work and dedication that goes into saving an entire species— until I met Maggie Reinbold. On Thursday, interns were given the opportunity o meet Ms. Reinbold. Despite the fact that Ms. Reinbold, the Director of Community Engagement at the Institute for Conservation Research, made the idea seem so simple with her enthusiasm and positivity, she emphasized the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into conserving our planet. After introductions and a couple of quick questions, Ms. Reinbold began our conservation journey with one of the most iconic success stories, the recovery California condor.
In 1967, the California condor was officially listed as an endangered species, and within two decades their population size dwindled down to only 22 individuals. At the time, the California condor was mainly threatened by power line collisions, lead poisoning, and micro-trash. Given the severity of the condor’s plight, the government reached out to the San Diego Zoo and other conservation organizations to bring this species back from the brink of extinction. Through extensive breeding and release programs, the San Diego Zoo, with the help of other conservation organizations, was able to recover the California condor from only 22 individuals to over 400 today!
While this is just one of the Zoo’s many ongoing conservation project, Ms. Reinbold and her team use these stories on a weekly basis to inspire incoming students to the Conservation Education Lab at the Institute. Furthermore, Ms. Reinbold uses these experiences to create educational programs for students and teachers. Through these conservation-based programs, Ms. Reinbold hopes to inspire incoming students and teachers to enact change into their daily lives. These programs range from learning about the Institute’s work with genetics to how researchers track animals in the wild.
At the end of the day, Ms. Reinbold hopes her programming inspires the public to lead sustainable lives. When asked what we can do in our everyday lives to better our planet, Ms. Reinbold urged us to be responsible consumers and be mindful of our carbon footprint. Over time, these small day to day actions can lead to global changes.
Until next time my fellow conservationists!
Telmera, Conservation Team
Winter Session, 2017
