By TTF Intern, Mateo Kietzman
Hello! My name is Mateo and I will be an intern at TTF for the remainder of this semester. I am currently a sophomore at Haverford College, and I am majoring in Environmental Studies. I found TTF through one of the classes I am taking called “Fish & Community,” a community-based praxis course focusing on fish, their habitats, and our relationships to them.
I grew up in and around Philadelphia, and I have moved quite a bit. My favorite parts of each place I’ve lived have been the bits of green nearby: The Wissahickon, Carpenter’s Woods, and Clark Park to name a few. I also grew up going to summer camp in the pine barrens of New Jersey. I am always excited to be able to contribute to the upkeep and improvement of these kinds of places, and that’s what I’m most looking forward to doing with TTF.
In high school, I had many opportunities to do work that centered on environmental education and protection. I spent a week among the redwoods at the San Mateo Outdoor Education Center, teaching groups of local sixth graders about an array of things including wildlife and sustainable farming practices. I have also had experience doing cleanups and removing invasive species at places like the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education as well as the Miquon School.
I’m excited to continue and expand these practices of mine at TTF. I’m also looking forward to learning more about the restoration work TTF does, especially with Green Stormwater Infrastructure.
