Caleb Walters
I am a senior at East Carolina University majoring in Recreation and Parks Management and minoring in Composite Natural Biology. After graduation I plan on getting a job in parks as a park ranger before eventually pursuing a master’s in biology. I have worked in parks for two and a half years and my favorite part is working with the wildlife and educating the public on the importance of what we are doing here.
I came across the sea turtle internship by chance one day when I called Hammocks Beach State Park for a school project and at the end of the interview with one of the rangers, I mentioned that I was looking for internships. They then forwarded me the link to Texas A&M, and I applied not expecting much to come of it as they seemed to lean more towards hiring students with Biology degrees. However, my interview with Renee went so well she offered me one of the positions. I hope to use the skill I learn here at the park, not only from working with the turtles but also helping with park operations, to help me secure a full-time position in state parks. Every moment here is a unique learning experience, I am so grateful to be part of this team.
Sara Bassett
Hi everyone! My name is Sara Bassett and I am so excited to be one of the Sea Turtle Interns this summer! I am originally from Asheville, North Carolina where I fell in love with being outdoors and seeing all sorts of wildlife. I am currently a rising junior at NC State University where I am majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. I hope to continue finding opportunities to contribute to nature and wildlife preservation. I am thrilled to be a part of the sea turtle program at Hammocks Beach State Park and be able to gain hands-on experience with these amazing animals! Seeing our first turtle was definitely an experience I will never forget! We are all very excited to see more turtles this summer and share our experiences!
Tina Hennig
Hi, my name is Tina Hennig and I am one of the sea turtle interns. I am from Franklin WI and recently graduated from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in Biology with an emphasis on marine and freshwater ecology and a minor in Environmental Studies. I would like to use my degree to pursue a career in animal rehabilitation and conservation. Due to growing up in the Midwest I have experience working with a variety of freshwater species but haven’t had the chance to work with marine species. I was supposed to continue my degree in Australia in which I would get experience working with marine species. However, due to COVID I was unable to go. I am grateful to have found this internship opportunity that allows me to gain experience working with sea turtles as well as Hammocks Beach State Park this summer. I am excited to work alongside the other interns and share our experiences with you!
Kari Plumridge
Hey everyone! My name is Kari Plumridge, and I’m from Syracuse, New York. I’ll be starting my senior year of undergraduate studies at the University of New Hampshire in the fall, where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a minor in Animal Behavior. I first learned of this internship through a friend back in February, and I knew right away that it would be a perfect fit for me! I’m very passionate about conservation, and I’ve been looking for ways to actively contribute to this cause since my freshman year. And what better way to contribute than through hands-on assistance in the monitoring and research of nesting behavior in endangered sea turtle species? After college, I plan on pursuing a career in animal care at an AZA-accredited facility so that I can help educate the public on the importance of vulnerable and endangered species and how/why they need to be protected. I’m very excited to share this summer adventure with all of you, so stay tuned!
Victoria Blakey
Hi, my name is Victoria Blakey. I am a 5th-year student at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio; however, I am originally from Michigan. I am studying environmental science and am specializing in environmental education & interpretation. This summer I am the naturalist intern who “wears many hats.” I also serve as an Assistant Park Ranger or APR for short. So far I have led pop-up educational programs, I’ve learned how to drive a patrol boat, assisted in trail maintenance, and of course, I’ve cleaned the bathhouse bathrooms and prepared the campsites for the next group of campers. I am looking forward to gaining more skills and knowledge while also enjoying the journey as it comes.
Lindsay Abernathy
I am a rising senior at Western Colorado University, but I am originally from Greensboro, NC. I am majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and Environmental Biology. In my free time, I enjoy backpacking and snowboarding, depending on the season. Being the park’s only shorebird intern is very exciting, as I enjoy the opportunity to gain lots of experience working with the birds at the park, which will be essential for my future career. I hope to continue doing field work once I graduate in the spring. Stay tuned for updates about the different birds I am finding nesting on the island, and for baby bird pictures!
Hammocks Beach Interns 