From Indiana to Florida: Post-Grad Adventures from an Urban Naturalist

By: Benjamin Shine

Anna Hopkins has taken her love for the outdoors from the heart of Indianapolis to the sunny landscapes of Tallahassee, Florida. After graduating from IU, she swapped the desk job for boots on the ground as an Event Coordinator at a state park, later transitioning to her current role as a Regional Coordinator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

When she’s not championing green initiatives, Anna’s out exploring state parks (57 and counting!), serving on the board for Keep Tallahassee Beautiful, and sharing her passion for nature. Learn more about her unique journey post-graduation and how being an Urban Naturalist shaped her into the environmental advocate she is today.

How did your experience as an Urban Naturalist contribute to your personal and professional growth? Working as an UN was my first experience with an “in the field” job vs a desk/office job. I was able to use a lot of the field experiences that I gained through the program such as invasive plant treatment, gardening, and working with volunteers on my resume when I was applying to work with Florida State Parks. Additionally, I majored in Nonprofit Management so it was really nice to have experience on my resume that counted both as working for a nonprofit and in the environmental sector since that was the kind of career I wanted to pursue. Lastly, KIB introduced me to the larger organization of Keep America Beautiful and because of that I was able to connect with the local chapter here and am still very active with them even four years after moving to Florida.

Can you share specific moments or projects that had a lasting impact? As a UN I loved to visit the different work sites and look for monarch caterpillars on the milkweeds. I now have several potted milkweeds at my home so that I can watch the monarch caterpillars grow up every season!

Spending a summer outdoors and making a difference in Indianapolis is a unique aspect of the Urban Naturalist program. How did the combination of meaningful work and the outdoor environment contribute to your overall experience? I really loved being able to spend so much time outdoors, even if our team was doing hard work or it was pouring rain. It is much more rewarding to spend several hours in the forest working towards beautifying a landscape than it is to spend several hours answering emails! The outdoor environment is ever-changing, so although the tasks of watering, weeding, and chopping might be redundant there is always a new caterpillar to see, a cool animal skull to find, or a freshly blooming flower to appreciate.

Did it open up new opportunities or shape your aspirations for the future? When I learned about some of the other positions at KIB and met the people that did them, it helped me think about what kind of career I could see myself doing in the future. For example, my UN team did a volunteer event with the KIB volunteer/outreach coordinator and it definitely felt like a position I would love to be doing in five years. When you are in college not really sure what specific job titles to look/apply for, it is helpful to see what kinds of jobs exist within an organization and what those job duties look like day to day.

As a past participant, what were the key takeaways from your time with the Urban Naturalists? My key takeaway was learning about native and invasive plants and how to encourage them in an area or control/eradicate them. It is something that surprisingly few people know about, so the UN program equips you with valuable knowledge that you can take and share with others. Even now in Florida I often visit the local native nursery and am always sure to avoid planting or purchasing anything invasive.    

How did the skills and knowledge gained during the program benefit you in your subsequent endeavors? Even though the flora and fauna that we have in Florida is different from Indiana, the fundamental understanding of invasives and natives and their respective impacts on an ecosystem was knowledge that I used many times working for the park service whether it was leading an educational program or just interacting with the curious public. Having the practical knowledge of how to operate a chainsaw or drive a truck with a trailer is also good experience for a resume when applying for outdoor jobs. Many entry-level jobs in the park service prefer candidates to have those experiences. The program also emphasizes professional development opportunities. Can you elaborate on how these experiences impacted your journey post-program?

Community engagement is a significant aspect of the Urban Naturalist program. Can you share a specific instance where you felt a strong connection with the community or witnessed a positive change resulting from your team’s efforts? One of my favorite engagement activities was leading a guided hike at Eagle Creek Park for groups of summer camp kids. It was fun to be the one who was teaching others and sharing the knowledge that I learned throughout the program. The kids loved smelling the spicebush that my partner Sophie and I pointed out to them on the hike and looking for box turtles near the wild spiderwort.

For those considering applying to the Urban Naturalist program, what advice would you give them based on your own experience? Are there specific skills or mindsets that they should bring to make the most out of the opportunity? Appreciate that you get the opportunity to be paid for spending time outside in nature. It really is a one of a kind program that gives you a great foundation for a variety of environmental jobs in the future. Once I was looking for jobs, I found that many applications wanted experience working with a team, leading others, and/or working with diverse populations. Take advantage of collaborating with other KTB staff members, the public, and volunteers as much as you can so you have meaningful experiences to draw from later.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?!

Keep scrolling for more information about our Urban Naturalist application.

Are you a college student interested in a career related to the environmental field? Join our Urban Naturalist program and spend your summer gaining hands-on experience in caring for native habitats. As an Urban Naturalist, you’ll work outdoors, focusing on the maintenance of horticultural projects across the city, managing stormwater, and engaging in community-based environmental stewardship.

The Details:

• Pay: $17/hour
• Duration: May to August; potential for fall work
• Benefits: Spend your summer outside, make a difference in Indianapolis, build professional connections in green-collar careers, and gain hands-on experience with powered hand tools and fleet vehicles
• Fulfills internship requirements
• Applications close on March 11

Categories: Education, Engaged Citizens, Habitat Restoration, Trees and Native Habitats, Urban Naturalists