Michigan State University masthead graphic

W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Bird Sanctuary

  • Kellogg Farm
  • Research &
    Education
  • Conference Center &
    Manor House
  • Home
  • About
    • About Home
    • Mission
    • History of the Sanctuary
      • Historical Leadership at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
      • The Changing Sanctuary Landscape
    • Research
    • Staff
    • Employment
  • Visit
    • Visit Home
    • Admission and Hours
    • Directions
    • Visit with a Group
      • Self-guided Activities
    • Birds
      • Recent Bird Sightings
      • Birds on Exhibit
      • Know Your Swans
    • Gardens
    • Trails
  • Events & Programs
    • Events Home
    • For Adults
    • For Families
    • For K-12 Students
  • Support
  • News
    • Blogs
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Avian Care / Beginnings and endings: A reflection on interning at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

09.29.21 | Avian Care, Bird Sanctuary, Intern, Programs, Resource Center, Uncategorized

Beginnings and endings: A reflection on interning at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

As spring ended and summer began to show I became more nervous, and excited, about my new potential experiences as a Kellogg Biological Station intern at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. I was grateful to have this internship and create positive experiences for visitors of all ages, but I was also fearful of the unexpected. Yet, as I drove towards KBS for the first time I remember thinking “This is a new beginning” and knew that this experience would make a large impact on myself.

Where the new beginning starts

Intern Cheyenne releasing a monarch butterfly.
Intern Cheyenne Cope releasing a monarch butterfly that had been raised indoors.

Once I arrived and finished my quarantine I was finally able to begin working. Although I was still buzzing with nerves I was ready to dive into the work. I was tasked with a list of projects I would need to complete by the end of summer, but I also had to help run the store. Most days that I was working I would begin my day by opening the store; however, occasionally I began the day with my mentor, Lisa Duke, when we would go birding before the sanctuary had opened. Once the store was open I could start and finish up projects while also greet the incoming guests and answer the questions they had regarding birds and our facility.

Intern Cheyenne releasing one of our permanent swans from a crate.
Intern Cheyenne Cope releasing trumpeter swan, Sassy, from the crate after an exam.

When I was not doing that, I was doing projects such as creating self-guided educational activities like story walks which allowed children to get out on the trail, read a story, and learn. While I was at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary our story walk themes involved frogs, butterflies, and bats! This means that during the butterfly theme I was able to learn more about monarch butterflies myself. I got to help find caterpillars on milkweed, raise, and release them as butterflies as well.

During the month of July the bird sanctuary was a part of Barry County’s “No Family Left Indoors 2021”. For this I worked with Misty Klotz and we placed images of different bird species that might be found inside of the sanctuary along the trail in the locations they might be seen. I also created signage for this event and made social media posts.

Other projects included renovating the bee condo, digitizing the memorial directory, creating an exploration station, photographing tadpoles and frogs, and helping with a waterfowl weigh-in and health check.

Challenges

Interns Ashlynn and Cheyenne with our hawk, Toby.
Interns Ashlynn Toles and Cheyenne Cope with red tailed-hawk, Toby

Even with great things there are still challenges. Balancing everything would be the greatest challenge throughout the entirety of my internship. Since volunteers and staff were limited for the majority of my time at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary I, along with others who worked there, was forced to juggle many tasks. While trying to complete my projects I also had to work in the store. This meant that I had to use my time wisely, everything had to be scheduled around down times or when the store could be covered by someone else. Luckily for me my challenges were usually easily fixed with the help of my amazing mentor and co-workers.

Being able to intern in an amazing atmosphere with people who are wonderful to work with while also getting the ability to connect with people who have similar interests is what made this internship one of the best beginnings and saddest ends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cheyenne Cope is the 2021 Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Visitor Experience Intern. She studies Environmental Biology/Zoology at Michigan State University.

Avian Care, Bird Sanctuary, Intern, Programs, Resource Center, Uncategorized

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • May 01 Storybook Walk: Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward Learn More >
  • May 14 Birds and Coffee Online Chat: Bird Beaks Learn More >
  • May 31 Fishing for the Eagles Learn More >
  • view all
  • Recent Blog Posts

    Welcome Rylee Lorenz to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary!

    Read More

    Field Experiences for Students

    Read More

    Sleeping Seeds

    Read More

    A legacy of conservation; a commitment to sustainability.

    Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
    12685 East C Avenue
    Augusta, MI 49012
    Phone: (269) 671-2510 birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

    Sign up for our monthly newsletter

    Get regular updates from KBS about research, events, and more!
    *indicates required
    Connect with us on social media!
    TwitterFacebook
    Michigan State University Wordmark
    • Call us: (269) 671-2510
    • Contact Information
    • Sitemap
    • Privacy Statement
    • Site Accessibility

    Call MSU: (517) 355-1855 | Visit msu.edu | Notice of Nondiscrimination

    SPARTANS WILL | © Michigan State University Board of Trustees