GSS Intern: Leah Ramsey Tackles Invasive Species and Community Outreach on Kodiak Island
Leah Ramsey, a student at Winona State University and GSS student worker, is spending her summer with the Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District in Alaska. Her internship has taken her from remote field sites like Uganik Cannery to the heart of Kodiak’s community gardens and native plant nurseries.
Working alongside Masumi from KSWCD, Leah is actively surveying and treating invasive species like orange hawkweed, common tansy, and foxglove. When weather keeps the team indoors, she’s managing GIS data, mapping treatment areas, and maintaining plant records for KSWCD’s herbarium.
Leah’s summer also includes a strong community outreach component:
Participating in Native Plant Week by hosting an arts and crafts night for kids
Helping lead a crayfish derby at Buskin Lake
Supporting Trail Day with the Alaska State Parks system
Volunteering in the community garden and native plant nursery, salvaging and growing local species for future sales at the farmer's market
“Every day is different—one day we’re hiking remote trails to treat invasives, the next we’re teaching kids about native plants,” Leah shared. “It’s a great way to connect science, people, and the land.”
GSS SMUMN is proud to support internships like Leah’s that foster leadership in environmental restoration, geospatial data collection, and community-based conservation work, as well as being thankful for the support of SMU Alumna Angie Steger, which helps us continue these programs.
