Refuge welcomes photography, videography intern
Visitor services photography and videography intern Sam Warren arrived recently to help the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel with staffing shortages and special projects this summer, thanks to funding from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.
Warren, who will graduate from Ohio University in Cleveland in May 2023, studies photojournalism in the School of Visual Communication and has done extensive work as a freelance photojournalist covering a variety of topics and issues.
“I’m looking forward to helping ‘Ding’ revamp informational videos about the refuge and important info for volunteers and guests, as well as photographing wildlife and events to help share with the public the importance of what we’re doing here,” the Cleveland, Ohio, native who has vacationed on Sanibel and visited the refuge for many years said.
“With his past experience on the island and his great skills in capturing visual moments, Sam will fill a crucial need, in this day and age, for social media content and instructional videography,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland said.
“It feels amazing to be working as a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and to use my skills to help aid in the important mission of the refuge,” Warren said. “I just love the peace and quiet and natural beauty of Sanibel.”
“We welcome Sam and his talent to our dynamic team of nature-lovers and doers,” Westland said. “We are so thankful to our friends group. Without them, our internship program would not be possible.”
The DDWS provides living stipends and other benefits for more than a dozen interns each year. The refuge supports interns with free housing.
For more information about the internship programs, contact Westland at 239-472-1100 ext. 237. To support the program, contact DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.