Monthly Archive: August 2025

Conservation Intern

Parker’s July Blog

 Parker's July Blog

This month has been a very busy one. I finished my independent project (see it here!), helped with both weeks of LEAF Academy, tabling at Raising Hellbenders (a concert for conservation), helped with hydromods, and Pre-K lessons. I am deeply grateful for all of the support and new skills that I have gained while being an intern at the Boone County Conservation District (BCCDKY). Since my time with the BCCDKY is coming to a close I would rather dedicate this blog to my wonderful coworkers.

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James:
James is a font of information. Whether it's his specialization (in forestry) or in misc skills I have valued his advice and dedication to conservation. I have enjoyed his can-do attitude and help with whatever task I have had to do. He is a great teacher in helping me understand the native forest species. His willingness to help has no bounds.

James:
James is a font of information. Whether it's his specialization (in forestry) or in misc skills I have valued his advice and dedication to conservation. I have enjoyed his can-do attitude and help with whatever task I have had to do. He is a great teacher in helping me understand the native forest species. His willingness to help has no bounds.

Mark:
Mark has a tender heart especially when it concerns those of the younger generation. He has an eagerness to pass on his skills and knowledge to them. His passions for local history and Native Americans has helped me to appreciate all those that have come before me and to build on the foundation that is left behind by their legacy.

Pavla:
Pav is a fun soul to be around. She is very protective and kind hearted. She posses a foresite to see what is needed, when it is needed, and formulates a plan to get whatever it is to where it needs to be at the time that it's needed. You bring a liveliness to the office and have a keen intellect.

Ashton:
Ashton has been a fun co-worker. They make it so much fun and work more enjoyable. It has been an awesome summer. I know you will go far and we will both continue to grow. Thank you for your hard work, passion, and the many laughs we shared. I have full confidence that you will do well in whatever endeavor you find yourself in.

Thank you for an awesome summer! I couldn't have asked for better mentors!

Parker Loertscher, signing off

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August 8, 2025
Conservation Intern

Ashton’s July Blog

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Hello Boone County, Parker and I are in the home stretch of the internship! July was a productive month for us interns, which consisted of several educational programs, hydromods, and working heavily on our independent projects. 2025 L.E.A.F. Academy was a wonderful time, and we had great, involved kids! Even at their young age (13-15) these kids learned many leadership, teamwork, and conservation skills that they can take with them for their future careers. I am proud of them and glad to have worked with them! Other educational programs that took place were pre-k lessons. The goal of these lessons is to get kids thinking about habitat and local wildlife, even if they do not retain everything, at least it gets them thinking about these important things! As usual, we did hydromods at a few different sites with SD1, helping us refine our knowledge of the hydromod process.

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I also spent the past few weeks gathering information and data to complete my individual GIS project. My project focused on locating potential wetland mitigation projects within Boone County using OKI's Greenspace Environmental Mitigation Mapper (GEMM). Wetlands provide incredibly important habitat as well as several ecosystem services (stormwater collection, groundwater recharge, filters pollutants, wildlife reintroduction) that Boone County needs. My goal was to identify potential areas for environmental mitigation programs that would provide the most efficient mitigation process, since these projects are costly in both time and money. After Parker and I completed are posters, we presented them at the Thomas More Field Station. You can view a preliminary version of my poster here - I hope that you guys will find my project interesting and that it opens your minds up to new conservation techniques!
Overall, I had an amazing time working for the Boone County Conservation District and will always remember the Summer of 2025 ! The BCCD staff have given me so many new experiences that I will cherish forever and skills that will help in my future career! Thank you BCCD staff and thank you for reading Boone County Residents!
-Ashton Baxter, Summer 2025 Intern
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August 8, 2025