March 14: This story is written by Alexandra Gordon, a 2017 MDP candidate whom is currently serving as an intern at The Nature Conservancy in Atlanta. My internship experience with the Atlanta Urban Conservation program at The Nature Conservancy has been invaluable. In the fall semester, I served as the project coordinator for the Atlanta program, keeping track of important milestones, providing research and GIS support, and assisting with event planning. In the spring semester, I have transitioned to managing my own project of creating a story map, which is an engaging way to present spatial data, and supporting the program's partnership building efforts. Throughout my entire experience, I have been treated as a valuable contributor and have thus had the opportunity to participate first-hand in the science-based, community-building methodology of The Nature Conservancy's urban conservation programs. In Atlanta, this manifests itself as a thoughtful process that asks the fundamental questions "what is The Nature Conservancy's role" and "how can we support the important work already occurring" in order to best conserve Atlanta's nature and help its communities thrive. All in all, I have gained indispensable experience with the crucial skills of project management, flexibility in meeting deadlines, and communicating science, as well as gained an understanding of how an organization can use its strengths and position to grow, instead of overshadow, already existing community development work.

Top Photo: Alexandra Gordon with Myriam Dormer, TNC Urban Conservation Director and MDP alumna