By: Lauren Formosa, WMEAC Eco-Journalism and Blogging Intern
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) offers a variety of internship opportunities for local students and community members. Four interns are working with the WMEAC team this fall semester, and we would like to take the time to highlight their hard work and dedication to the organization.
Mallory Meston, Lakeshore Fellow
About Mallory: Mallory Meston is from North Shores, Michigan, and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette. She graduated in August 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and a minor in International Studies. As WMEAC’s Lakeshore Fellow, Mallory works with Lakeshore Outreach Organizer Tanya Cabala, supporting her with our environmental outreach programs across the West Michigan lakeshore. She also works closely with elected officials and community leaders to strategize and support ways to improve coordination, information, educational messaging, and availability and access to environmental services. Alongside her three-year-old chocolate lab Daisy, Mallory enjoys walks and hikes, playing in the snow, and spending time with her friends and family. She is also an avid skier and is looking forward to hitting the slopes this winter.
What do you enjoy most about working at WMEAC? What do you hope to learn from your internship?
“I enjoy working at WMEAC because it is amazing to work alongside such dedicated and passionate people who care about protecting the planet and the environment just as much as I do. I also enjoy making new connections within my West Michigan community. I hope this internship will increase my knowledge of climate advocacy and environmental issues occurring in West Michigan.”
What is an environmental issue we face in West Michigan that you are passionate about?
“A few environmental issues that we face along the lakeshore in West Michigan that I am passionate about are erosion, pollution prevention, water quality issues, equal access to recycling and waste services, and environmental education and awareness.”
Do you have a favorite memory from your internship experience?
“One of my favorite memories from my internship so far would be the Grand River Clean-up in Grand Rapids. It was such an amazing experience and a great event to be a part of! I was amazed and inspired by the number of people who came out to assist in the clean-up efforts.”
What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share?
“I was born on April Fool’s Day.”
How would you describe our work at WMEAC in five words or less?
“Passionate people working to create healthier environments & communities in West Michigan. Sorry, I couldn’t think of anything with 5 words or less.”
Krystina Hird, Policy Intern
About Krystina: Krystina Hird is originally from San Antonio, Texas. She attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, for her undergrad and received her bachelor of science degree in Biochemistry. Krystina is now a Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is WMEAC’s policy intern working with Deputy Director Elaine Sterrett Isely. As our policy intern, Krystina researches crucial environmental policy issues for the organization and keeps track of notable legislation that the Michigan Environmental Council is tracking. In her free time, Krystina loves to weightlift, read, hang out at local breweries, and go camping.
What do you enjoy most about working at WMEAC? What do you hope to learn from your internship?
“I like getting a vibe for the non-profit side of policy work. I hope to continue learning as much as possible about non-profit work and to increase my knowledge about policy writing and my ability to do that writing well. I am also learning about all of these interest groups and bills in the legislature fighting for the betterment of the environment and I’m really enjoying getting to support that effort.”
What is an environmental issue we face in West Michigan that you are passionate about?
“Safe drinking water. It isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a social justice issue.”
Is there anything you are excited to do in your internship?
“I am excited to learn about policy work. I am currently a biochem grad student and last year I realized that rather than doing science at the bench, I would rather advocate for scientists and apply the high-quality science that my peers are producing to science-informed policy work and legislation. So all of this is new to me! I hope to one day work in the Michigan legislature as a policy analyst or for an environmentally minded policy think tank/non-profit.”
What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share?
“Why would you include such a hard question? Fun fact: I am a Girl Scout.”
How would you describe our work at WMEAC in five words or less?
“Citizen-driven environmental care.”
Sydney Gandolfi, Development and Events Intern
About Syndey: Sydney Gandolfi is from Houghton Lake, Michigan, and is currently studying political science at Grand Valley State University. She is WMEAC’s Development and Events Intern and works closely with Mary Robinson, the Director of Development, to implement fund development projects and help with programming and fundraising event management. Sydney’s tasks as Development Intern includes membership management, campaign development, and donor data analysis. Some of Sydney’s hobbies include Stand Up Comedy, soccer, golf, lifting, hiking, and reading.
What do you enjoy most about working at WMEAC? What do you hope to learn from your internship?
“I really enjoy when people bring their dogs into the office and I’m looking forward to learning about the ins and outs of development. I’m dabbling with what I might potentially want to do when I graduate in December, and a career in development is on my list of considerations.
What is an environmental issue we face in West Michigan that you are passionate about?
“Community cleanliness.”
Do you have a favorite memory from your internship experience?
“My favorite memory from my internship has been the Grand River Cleanup. It was fun and fulfilling to get involved with my friends.”
What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share?
“I use old Tide Pod containers as popcorn bowls.”
How would you describe our work at WMEAC in five words or less?
“Repetition, persistence, and strategy.”
Lauren Formosa, Eco-Journalism and Blogging Intern
About Lauren: Lauren Formosa is from Troy, Michigan, and attends Grand Valley State University in Allendale. She will graduate in December with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in French. Lauren is WMEAC’s eco-journalism and blogging intern under Deputy Director Elaine Sterrett Isely and has written articles for both the WMEAC blog and the Grand Haven Tribune. Her role consists of researching newsworthy story topics, conducting interviews, and creating content that dives into environmental issues facing West Michigan. When out of the office, Lauren can most likely be found at the library or grabbing coffee. She likes to spend her free time reading, dancing with the Grand Valley Dance Troupe, and having movie nights with her roommates.
What do you enjoy most about working at WMEAC? What do you hope to learn from your internship?
“Since starting my journalism career, I’ve always enjoyed writing and creating things that could inspire change. Working at WMEAC has made me feel like the journalism I’m doing is actually having an impact on our local communities and it’s been amazing to work with people who are just as passionate as I am about influencing environmental action. I’ve been learning so much about what it means to be an eco-journalist and I hope to continue growing my skills in telling human-centric stories on issues that affect us all daily.”
What is an environmental issue we face in West Michigan that you are passionate about?
“My biggest one would be access to clean drinking water, but I’m also passionate about environmental conservation. I think it’s so important that we protect Michigan’s natural beauty so people can enjoy it for generations to come.”
Do you have a favorite memory from your internship experience?
“A while ago I was able to tour the Innovakote facility with Mary, our Director of Development, to write a blog post about their work recycling powder coating. In the past, I would usually do some research, conduct a phone interview and write my story, but actually being able to see what goes on behind the scenes and put all my research into perspective was really awesome.”
What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share?
“I have a growing vinyl collection and I’m on the hunt for a Fleetwood Mac and Hozier record.”
How would you describe our work at WMEAC in five words or less?
“Community impact for environmental change.”
WMEAC is currently looking for interns for the Winter/Spring 2023, and there are 2 fellowships currently open for a longer-term commitment and opportunity. Please visit our website to apply!
