Capstone Project

During the Summer of 2023, I had the privilege of interning with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to capture non-native caecilians along the C-4 in Tamiami Trail, with their first known occurrence in October 2019. It should be noted that caecilians are one of the most understudied amphibians and not much is known about them on a global scale. Thus, investigating and contributing to world-renowned knowledge of caecilians is essential for understanding their dynamics and how they operate within an ecosystem. The internship program provided me with an experience that is unique, engaging, and sustainable. The preservation of native species and their ecosystems in our community is essential, and I strongly believe that I have learned skills to make a positive impact on the world. The program included a focus on biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable practices. Through hands-on learning, a sense of global responsibility, and a passion for the natural world, I was able to examine spacial distributions of the non-native amphibian, Typhlonectes natans, and promote awareness of their presence in South Florida. Additionally, while interning with the FWC, I was able to gain valuable skills and experience in fish identification, safe handling of Burmese pythons, Nile monitor surveys, Tegu trapping, and participate in electrofishing in search of Bullseye snakehead fish.