REFUGE/DDWS Carter Joost

Carter Joost recently joined the team at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel as the Sue Tray Memorial Visitor Services intern, working full-time through the summer.

He spent the previous school year studying economics and international relations at American University in Washington, D.C., from which he graduates in 2025. Joost recently worked for Pape Machinery Construction & Forestry in Sacramento, California, and lived for many years in the Miami area before that.

“My favorite part about working at ‘Ding’ Darling? It’s probably the typical answer, but I really love the birds,” he said. “How could I not?”

Joost looks forward to helping the refuge fill in the gaps where staffing falls short because of federal budget cuts. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring, reading and playing the upright bass.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge provides housing, living stipends and other benefits for six to eight interns each year. Since Hurricane Ian destroyed onsite intern housing, it has procured temporary housing on and off island.

“We welcome Carter’s energy and enthusiasm,” Refuge Manager Bob Gerwig said. “We thank our friends group for making our internships possible. With our shrinking staff, this sort of partnership is crucial to keep the refuge running, especially as we continue to rebuild after Hurricane Ian’s destruction.”

For more information about supporting the internship programs, contact DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman at wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org.