Former intern Marci-Ann Smith reflects on her Biohabitats experience

My experience as a Biohabitats Interdisciplinary intern was rewarding. I got to see first-hand the workings of an environmental consulting firm and how each professional plays an important part in completing a project.

During my time at Biohabitats, I got to participate in field work, which included wetland delineation, stream restoration and BMP inspections.

Marci-Ann coducting a tree survey in Prince George’s County, MD

I was also able to connect and work with Jennifer Dowdell, Biohabitats’ Practice Leader for Landscape Ecology, Planning, and Design, on one of her projects analyzing survey responses for a park design. I enjoyed being a part of this design process and I saw the dedication and commitment it takes to design a welcoming space for a community to enjoy.

Marci-Ann conducting a vegetation survey on the UMBC campus

Biohabitats’ Chesapeake/Delaware Bays Bioregion office is a former stable, which is quite a wonderful space in which to work. The office is a five minute walk from the bus stop and the Baltimore light rail (that was my favorite part of the commute to work). Biohabitats is also neighbors with another LA design firm as well as some other law and architecture firms. It was a wonderful environment to be in.

I had the opportunity to create a summer project on any site/place within Baltimore that could have been an exploration of a new idea or an expansion of a previous/ongoing project. My project highlighted the “Highway to Nowhere” site and explored tools that could be implemented to revive the site and surrounding neighborhoods.

My main takeaways from interning at Biohabitats:

Time management.

Advocacy. I had to reach out to landscape architects and others to ask if I could be a part of their projects. This was vital for me. I needed the push to come out of my shell and I truly appreciated this specific experience.

The Biohabitats community was friendly, and team members were willing to help. Tanaira Cullens, who spearheads the program, was lovely. Kind but firm. She told me the truth and guided me throughout the process but also gave me space to think and make my own decisions regarding my summer project and participating in other activities.

I admired that everyone prioritized safety during fieldwork.

I enjoyed my experience at Biohabitats and would recommend the program to anyone interested.