KENT, Conn.—Fifteen summer interns representing six conservation organizations from across Northwestern Connecticut gathered this week on the trails of Kent Land Trust’s Skiff Mountain South Preserve for a unique opportunity to build professional connections, share experiences and strengthen the region’s conservation community.
The hike, co-hosted by Kent Land Trust and the Housatonic Valley Association’s Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative, followed the Skiff Mountain South Trail to the Harrison Overlook.
The hike was led by Kent Land Trust Program Manager Melissa Cherniske and Housatonic Valley Association Conservation Projects Manager Isabel Bronson.
Representing Kent Land Trust, Kent Parks and Recreation, Housatonic Valley Association, Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy, Sharon Land Trust, and Steep Rock Association, the interns spent the afternoon discussing topics ranging from land stewardship and trail management to invasive species control, environmental education and career paths in conservation. A main theme of the afternoon was networking.
Unlike traditional networking events, participants were encouraged to spend time with every hiker throughout the hike and during a brown-bag lunch at the overlook.
“This hike was about more than conservation skills—it was about building community,” said Cherniske. “Many of these interns are spending their summer doing similar work just a few towns apart, yet they may never have the opportunity to meet one another. We wanted to create space for them to exchange ideas, build friendships, and realize they are part of a much larger network of people who care deeply about protecting our natural resources.”
The event was inspired by feedback from former conservation interns who expressed surprise at the number of like-minded peers working throughout Northwestern Connecticut. Several noted that they wished they had known one another earlier in the summer so they could have shared experiences and explored the region together outside of work.
For years, regional conservation organizations have gathered interns at the end of the season for a picnic at Steep Rock Association’s Macricostas Preserve in Washington. This year’s hike marked the first effort to bring interns together at the beginning of the summer, giving participants an opportunity to establish connections that can grow throughout the season.
One intern reflected on the impact of the event, saying he was excited to have new connections to explore local hiking trails this summer and felt encouraged about the future after meeting so many peers committed to conservation work.
By the end of the hike, participants were exchanging contact information and discussing future adventures together. Organizers hope the new early-summer gathering will complement the longstanding end-of-season celebration and further strengthen collaboration among the next generation of conservation professionals.
“The future of conservation depends on strong partnerships and passionate people,” Cherniske said. “Watching these interns connect with one another was incredibly inspiring. The friendships and professional relationships they build today could become the collaborations that protect our region’s landscapes for decades to come.”
