Hello everyone!

My name is Emilee Gooch and I am this summer’s Wildlife Biology Technician at Malheur NWR with Friends of Malheur! I am thrilled to have been selected for this position and am so excited to learn everything this position has to offer. I am an incoming senior at Northern Michigan University, located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I am expecting to graduate May 2025, with majors in both Environmental Science and Fish & Wildlife Management.

I am beyond excited to spend my summer in Oregon, especially in a landscape as gorgeous as Harney County. I have never been to the western United States, and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about the ecosystems and wildlife found in this region. I also am looking forward to developing my field and scientific skills, while also having the opportunity to spend time working with a nonprofit such as FOMR. This internship seems like it is the perfect opportunity to learn about the many facets that go into conservation of natural resources and wildlife, and I feel it will definitely help me to become a much more well-rounded and knowledgeable scientist, researcher, and conservationist.

Outside of school, one of my favorite activities is volunteering at our local animal shelter. I love all animals, and those at the shelter are some of my favorites. I especially have a soft spot for dogs, and have a 4-year-old chocolate lab of my own, Ringo (named after the Beatle). I love to hike, swim in Lake Superior, play beach volleyball, and listen to live music. I look forward to spending my summer with the Friends of Malheur, and hope I can meet some of you along the way!