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WVLT Interns: Where are they now? Meet Katie from 2014!
February 28, 2023
WVLT offers a variety of internships and research opportunities throughout the year. Students assist with easement stewardship, public land management, conduct research, organize land trust activities, and help us conserve land, and many of WVLT’s interns move on to careers in the land trust community.
Throughout 2023, we will bring you a sampling of our student interns and researchers, describe the work they did for us, where they are now, and how working with the WVLT enriched their educational experience.
Meet Katie Gantley: In 2014, Executive Director Christie DeBoer, a literature major herself, spoke at a SUNY New Paltz first-year English Seminar during their nature portion of the coursework.
Inspired to learn more about land protection work, Kathryn Gantley (Katie) did an internship in 2015 at WVLT. She was involved with every aspect of WVLT’s work, notably writing up articles about protected lands and taking some incredible photographs while on monitoring visits.
Katie went on to graduate from SUNY and then achieve her Doctor of Law from Cornell Law School. Today, Katie is an Associate at Baker Botts in their Washington, D.C. office. The international law firm is recognized as a leader in the energy, technology, and life science sectors.
From Katie when asked in 2023: “I enjoyed my internship at the WVLT very much. During my internship, I helped inspect easement properties, gained meaningful writing experience, and worked with wonderful community members who shared my passion for the environment and conservation. My experience at WVLT was part of what made me want to become a lawyer. Now, I enjoy my job as an energy attorney in Washington, D.C.”
Woodland Pond Conservation Easement in the fall of 2014 by Katie Gantley
At the heart of our internship program is to expose participants to a wide range of experiences involved with the permanent protection of our open spaces, trails, and farms. This is truly a unique opportunity for students to learn more about the conservation field while gaining valuable experience with a nonprofit organization.
If you are interested in learning more about internships with the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, please contact us at info@WallkillValleyLT.org with a description of your interests and availability, together with a resume or letter of introduction.