Employee Spotlight: César García, Natural Areas Assistant, Lakeshore Nature Preserve

The Lakeshore Nature Preserve provides paid learning opportunities for students studying natural resources and biological and environmental sciences. Since 2010 the Preserve has employed, and staff has mentored, 77 students and recent graduates.
This spring, César García, a first-generation college student from San Antonio, Texas and a 4th-year student studying Botany at UW–Madison, joined the Lakeshore Nature Preserve team as a Natural Areas Assistant.
With a self-professed love for plants and fungi, César said he applied for the position because, “it is the perfect opportunity to get in touch with our native flora and establish a connection with a wide range of plant populations over the growing season.” César added, “I am excited for this position to help me learn how natural areas are managed through on-site stewardship of the land.”
Something he said will help him to assess the needs and ecological status of future field sites. According to César, “Even in just the first few weeks of working in the Preserve it’s been great to learn about its history and wildlife with the close help of the Field Projects Coordinator Adam Gundlach.” He said he believes, “a sense of community is the biggest reward when being able to work alongside amazing mentors, co-workers, and friends who are also interested in the biological sciences. We are left to decide if we’d like to appreciate and understand the world’s complexity as it continues beyond us.”