AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

As human population and urbanization of the United States' coastal communities continue to increase, the conservation of our nation's coastal and marine resources has likewise grown in importance. Successful conservation requires an adaptive application of science, broad scale collaboration, and community outreach, all of which are priorities for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As a biological intern there, I gained first-hand experience practicing conservation biology. Participation in wetland management, conservation of threatened loggerhead sea turtles, and a wide variety of both long and short term conservation projects concerning multiple landscape scales allowed me to develop valuable field and interpersonal skills that will continue to compliment my academic background in the future and enhance my aptitude for successful conservation practices.