Invasive Species Internship

You may have already met Dan and Kevin in the field but we’d like to officially introduce the town’s two invasive plant summer interns!

Dan, from Boxford, is a rising senior at UMass Amherst completing a degree in environmental science with a minor in natural resources conservation. After graduation, he plans to work in the field of forest and wildlife ecology.

Kevin, from Haverhill, is completing his senior year this December at Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he his majoring in marine science safety and environmental protection, He plans to pursue a career as a game warden in New England.

Dan and Kevin started with the town in June and have been using an application called EddMaps to map and collect data on a dozen of West Newbury’s most prevalent invasive plant species including Japanese knotweed, honeysuckle, and Asiatic bittersweet on town owned property. Their work is in close coordination with, and substantial support from, an extended network of local residents led by Carol Decker, Nancy Pau and Patricia Reeser.

At the end of their internship, Dan and Kevin will be presenting their data to the town and offering their insights on invasive species management and the EddMaps application.

Our Conservation Agent Michelle Greene has taken primary responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the internship, which was funded by voters at the Fall 2021 Special Town Meeting.