Game Commission provides learning lab for student
Engdahl spends summer teaching children about nature
When Kylie Engdahl ’28 began investigating internship opportunities last spring, she was hoping to learn more about a career in environmental protection while also being able to make a real contribution to her community. She got the chance to do both thanks to her tenure with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, where she had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of professionals in the field, manage her own educational efforts and even trap bears!
“The Commission is really an amazing organization that works to protect over 480 species of animals across the state, while overseeing hunting and trapping regulations, habitat management and catch and release programs,” Engdahl says. “It also works hard to educate citizens about how they can better support wildlife, wetland and wilderness management in Pennsylvania.”
The environmental studies and international affairs major from Jersey Shore served as an educational assistant with the Information and Education Department, within the Commission’s North Central Regional Office. She worked closely with the department’s main educator to administer hunting and trapping and conservation education programs. This included being able to run her own activities, such as presenting at area schools to teach children about local wildlife.
“Seeing firsthand the wonder and amazement that kids have towards animals and nature was truly inspiring,” Engdahl adds. “It really stirred a passion within me for environmental education, and I am excited to explore that path further following graduation.”
Engdahl was also able to shadow Commission biologists and conservationists as they worked in the field. This included supporting teams as they executed bear trapping and elk capture programs so the animals could be moved out of populated areas and into the wilderness.
“Being able to be a part of that was incredible and highlighted to me even further how important the Commission’s work is and how honored I have been to have been able to be a part of it,” Engdahl says.