Outer Island Interns 2023

Interns are hired each summer to staff Outer Island and to assist visiting groups with educational programming during their visit to the island. The interns also conduct research activities, including water quality monitoring, and participate in maintenance activities on the island facilities. Below are brief bios for the Summer 2023 Outer Island Interns:

Daniel McGuire

Hey everybody, I’m Daniel! I am from Branford, CT and a rising senior at the University of Connecticut. I major in Natural Resources with a concentration in Fisheries and Wildlife. I plan on pursuing a career in conservation and my goal is to become a Game Warden. I am also interested in river ecology and the preservation of Native Trout populations. I have been boating in the Thimbles for my whole life and would love to share my knowledge with you all. My passions include fly fishing, skiing, and hiking. I look forward to meeting you all on the island!

Isabella Martinez

Hi, my name is Isabella. I’ve recently received my Associate’s in Environmental Science from Manchester Community College, and I am hoping to complete a Bachelor’s in Environmental Geology at Central Connecticut State University in the future. I am excited for this opportunity to educate the public on this beautiful area, as well as assisting with researching and maintenance projects that keep the natural beauty of these islands.

Ashley Williams

My name is Ashley Williams, I am a biology major, focusing on Ecology and Conservation at
the University of Bridgeport. I took an informative Ecology course with Dr. Kathleen
Engelmann this past fall semester. I loved the field trips we took for lab with Professor James
Casey. I was able to immerse myself in the course material hands on, which helped me retain
the material. As an artist, I started to photograph animals everywhere. I've always had a passion
for environmental justice and the natural world. I partnered with the Armory Garden and the
Sojourn Market to host food justice classes, gardening days, and have a community pantry. My
goal is to expand my research and knowledge of plants and animals. I want to work as a field
Ecologist, journaling and collecting data on plants, animals, and their habitats.