Our Blog

Intern Introduction: Addy Gove

08/01/202608/12/2026

Topic: Interns, Staff

Hi! I’m Addy Gove and I’m the summer 2026 Land Conservation and Outreach intern with the Wild Rivers Conservancy. I am a rising sophomore at the University of Richmond majoring in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Though I go to school in Virginia, I’m a Minnesota native who has grown up outdoors and on the St. Croix.

How I got here

I was lucky to grow up recreating and enjoying the outdoors. My experiences camping in the Boundary Waters, agate hunting on the north shore, and kayaking down the St. Croix inspired my passion for the environment and its protection.

All this environmental enthusiasm had nowhere to go until I joined Youth in Government, a program that allows high school students to participate in a mock government complete with a legislative, judicial, and executive branch. In my first year in the program, I had to write a bill for the legislature. I knew immediately that I would write about an environmental protection I wanted to see in real life. Through that program, I realized that I could turn the love I have for the environment into a career in advocacy and protection.

This combination of my passions is what led me to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science. I hope that by merging these subjects I can learn to make a tangible difference for the environment on a wide scale through political action.

My desire for change and love for the St. Croix is what led me to the Wild Rivers Conservancy this summer. I was interested in gaining experience in the environmental nonprofit realm to see what a career in this field could look like and was excited for the opportunity to give back to the river that has given me so much.

I chose to apply specifically for the Land Conservation and Outreach role because I was interested in the impact that individual landowner conservation can have on the greater watershed and felt that I could make a lasting difference by reaching out to landowners. I was also excited to learn new skills in outreach and collaboration, which are useful in any field.

My summer internship goals

My goal for this internship was to learn what it is like to work at an environmental nonprofit as well as complete a variety of projects based on landowner outreach and land protection. I also hoped to spend time on the water and get to know the other interns working at the Conservancy.

Reflecting on my internship experience, I believe that I have completed these goals and feel satisfied with the outcomes. I have made new friendships that I hope will last a lifetime and am proud of the products of my projects.

I am especially proud of the landowner storytelling undertaking and what I accomplished in its completion. In this project, I worked with our partners to interview a landowner who has completed a permanent land protection process. I was able to hear their story and create outreach materials from it, such as a targeted mailing going out to other landowners in their county. Completing a multilayer project such as this from start to finish taught me about organization, communication, and time management.

Overall, I have had a very positive experience working with the Wild Rivers Conservancy this summer and have gained a variety of skills I will apply to my future endeavors.

Advice for future interns

Searching:

The internship search can be difficult and stressful. My advice to future interns would be to start looking into programs early and to seek out internships that fit the possible career paths you may be interested in pursuing. Doing so will allow you to begin thinking about your professional career and where you see yourself in the future. The Wild Rivers Conservancy summer positions typically open in December.

Applying:

When applying, I recommend tailoring your resume and cover letter to each location you apply. Your cover letter is an avenue to tell your personal story and explain why your passions have led you to this specific role. For example, when I applied to the Wild Rivers Conservancy, I took the opportunity to write about the impact the St. Croix has had on me and the purpose I feel in working towards its protection, while incorporating how my past experiences would help me do so.

During the interview process it is important to put your best foot forward by prepping for the conversation. You should know the values of the location you are applying and how you fit their goals for the position. Talk about your accomplishments with pride and work your relevant experience into the conversation. Now is not the time to be humble!

Making the most of your internship:

If you are offered a position, your hard work doesn’t stop there. To make the most of your internship experience, show up everyday ready to work and make a difference. As an intern, it can be easy to think that your work doesn’t matter as much, but the impact that you have depends on the effort that you put in.

Something my supervisors at the Conservancy did that I really appreciated was beginning with a meeting where we discussed all of the tasks I would be completing over the summer. Doing so allowed me to fully comprehend the expectations of my role and ask clarifying questions about the goals and timeline of each project. I highly recommend setting up a meeting such as this if you are starting in a new internship role.

My next piece of advice is to push yourself beyond your comfort zone to learn as much as you can and absorb new skills by taking on projects and putting your best effort into everything you do. You took this position to learn and gain skills, so do not be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. As long as you put your best foot forward, you will be successful.

Finally, remember that internships are the perfect opportunity to make connections and meet new people. At the Conservancy I was able to build friendships with interns coming from all over the country as well as make connections with the full-time employees who can act as future references. The people you are interning with will likely be working in the same field as you, and chances are your paths will cross again, plus, putting effort into friendships also makes the summer much more fun!

To sum it all up, say yes to everything. Say yes to new projects offered to you, no matter how daunting they may seem. Say yes to hanging out with your fellow interns after work. Say yes to opportunities to shadow other roles. Say yes to work potlucks and events. Say yes to opportunities for feedback and growth. Put yourself out there and you won’t regret it.