My name is Mitchell Hoffman. Over the past five months, I have had the privilege of working as the Environmental Paralegal Intern at Mississippi Valley Conservancy. During this time, I have gained a much deeper understanding of how conservation works behind the scenes, and how those who are not working in the field every week are just as important to protecting our environment. The entire team helps ensure that conservation efforts are not only long-lasting but continue to grow.
(Above: Payton Lott explains the process for removing buckthorn to Mitchell during a recent work party. (Photo by Mattie Arloine)
Throughout my internship, I developed many skills that helped me to better understand conservation work. I gained experience with legal documents such as conservation easements and abridgments, learned about the conservation easement appraisal process, conducted annual easement monitoring, created plat maps, researched Government Land Office notes, along with other efforts that protect the land we love.
At the Conservancy, I also gained a strong sense of community. From the moment I began, I was met with encouragement and support. I told Land Manager Levi Plath when I started that I was really interested in participating in the land management opportunities and learning more about local species. With this information, they invited me to opportunities that aligned with my interests throughout my time there. I attended work parties where the staff would take the time to introduce me to new plants and answer any questions I had about them.
(Above: A student at Western Technical College, Mitchell was searching for an experience to help him decide where to go with his degree, and he found that at the Conservancy.)
The team would invite me along for unique experiences, such as when I got to participate in a bat survey, and when I was able to fly along with former board member and volunteer pilot Mike Ripp on aerial monitoring visits for some of their properties. The Conservancy's willingness to incorporate my interest in getting out into the field and inviting me to participate in unique experiences let me know that I was valued and welcomed. These experiences also strongly inspired me to continue pursuing a career in conservation.
When I first joined the Conservancy, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a positive impact in the world. However, I was not entirely sure what path I wanted to take. Over the past five months, I have seen the team's passion firsthand, whether it was watching their
excitement over discovering rare plants, discussing the progress they made on restoration, or exploring new properties on which they could start conservation efforts. This, combined with being met with kindness, flexibility, and respect, all let me know that a career in conservation is what I wanted to experience for the rest of my life.
I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and always will be. In this internship, I not only developed valuable legal skills and discovered my passion, but I also learned that it is possible to have a career that is genuinely enjoyable and meaningful...a job where you can
see your positive impact.