Interns

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Northern Forest Canoe Trail Interns are integral to providing stewardship on the trail. Whether installing a new campsite, or leading a volunteer effort to build stone staircases on a portage, our interns allow us to grow and improve the trail. The ten-week season runs mid-June – mid-August.

In 2017, we fieldied four stewardship interns thanks to the NFCT Trail Fund , NFCT Membership , Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, TimberlandPro, Concept 2 Rowing and L.L. Bean.

 

Griff Keating

Griff Keating began his college career as a physics major, but after spending a year at SUNY ESF Ranger School in the Adirondacks led him to his real passion: the great outdoors. Since that time, Griff has become an avid rock and ice climber, spending many a winter night sleeping in his car so he could make it to the trail head at first light for a day’s climb. Griff is currently an environmental studies major at SUNY Purchase. In his spare time, he tutors high school kids in science, works at his climbing gym, brews beer and, when hungry, whips up gourmet vegetarian meals. Griff lives in Harrison, NY with three rescued Labrador Retrievers. His proudest athletic accomplishment to date is finishing this spring’s Breakneck Ridge half marathon – less due to his rigorous training and more to pure stubbornness. Griff hopes to attend grad school when he finishes undergrad. Read a blog entry about his experiences.

 

 

 

James Hart

James Hart grew up in Virginia and spent much of his childhood in the outdoors. Although he has spent time hiking around the Shenandoah region, he has always preferred the mountains of Maine he visits with his family each year. James was an avid runner in high school, reaching all-state honors in track and cross-country. His other hobbies include woodworking, playing music, and messing around with plants. James attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he spends his free time building and playing instruments and working on the student farm. After spending his freshman year in a dorm focused on sustainability and organic agriculture, he decided to devote his studies to environmental sciences. He is currently half-way through a dual major in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies. Read a blog about his experiences.

 

 

 

 

Andrew Blunt

Andrew Blunt is a rising junior at Bowdoin College as an Environmental Studies and Government major. At Bowdoin he’s involved in their Outing Club, Alpine Ski Team, Intramural Hockey Team (Go Skinny Dippers!), and was a founder of their Outdoor Volunteer Association. He grew up in South Berwick, Maine and is excited to be staying in Maine on the Bow Loop Trail this summer. He is a skier, climber, enjoys playing trumpet, singing probably too loudly in the car, and cooking (if you get the chance, ask him about his risotto). Andrew has been paddling for a few years now, in rafts, canoes, kayaks, you name it, and is beyond excited to make paddling more accessible to people by getting his hands dirty during this internship.

 

 

Matt Brabender

Matt Brabender calls Neenah, Wisconsin home. Matt is 21 and will be a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, studying natural resource management and planning. This choice of major clearly reflects his passion for the outdoors and natural resource conservation. Matt likes to be involved around his college community. He is an active member of the UWSP cylcing club, vice-president of the Land Conservation Society, a staff member at the Stevens Point climbing wall, and a regular volunteer at the Schmeeckle nature reserve on campus. Matt also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, photography, camping, canoeing, rafting, fly fishing, and Frisbee. Matt is an easy going, friendly, passionate individual that likes to maintain an optimistic view on life. Once Matt graduates, he hopes to work with non-profit organizations such as land trusts or state parks to promote conservation and outdoor recreation. Read a blog about his experiences.