Two of the seven staff members at Quogue Wildlife Refuge are former Stony Brook students and the Refuge’s employees have participated in the University’s annual Earthstock celebration since 2012, educating Stony Brook students about Long Island’s natural world and its inhabitants.

The refuge actively recruits its interns at Earthstock because of Stony Brook’s focus on sustainability.

Cara Fernandes ’16

Cara Fernandes ’16 of Baiting Hollow, New York, started at the refuge as an intern and now she coordinates and teaches educational programs about Long Island’s native plants, animals and ecology to a variety of audiences. She also cares for permanently injured wildlife, feeding them and administering medicine.

During the spring and fall, the refuge sends representatives to educate the public at fairs, including Earthstock, where Quogue Wildlife Refuge staffer Tony Valderrama appeared the last three years.

“The interaction between the students and the wildlife is priceless,” he adds. “My hope is that these simple interactions become a catalyst for future environmentalists. We are lucky to have the best interns every year who come from Stony Brook to work with us.”

Read more: http://www.stonybrook.edu/happenings/alumni/university-enjoys-great-relationship-with-wildlife-refuge/