Another semester has concluded and with it came a new batch of graduates beaming with excitement for their accomplishments and eagerness for life’s next steps. Across seven areas within Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, the department celebrated 145 graduates on Friday, Dec. 15th. For all information on the 2023 Commencement Celebrations, visit the University’s Commencement website.
In this series, we featured one student from each of the seven areas of HDNR. Last, but not least is Katie Nieuwlandt, an undergraduate in the flagship Human Dimensions of Natural Resources undergraduate program. On Friday, Nieuwlandt, of Longmont, Colo., delivered the senior speech at the WCNR Commencement Ceremony. Her family and friends in attendance didn’t have a clue it was coming.
An excerpt from it…
“At the end of the day, whatever the impact our graduating class has had, we are nature-loving, tree-hugging, ever-learning, Chaco or cowboy boot wearing, Nalgene carrying, strong, capable, and intelligent students.”
Nieuwlandt made enough of an impact to get asked by faculty to make the speech and she has plans to continue making impact in the field after graduation. In April, she will be starting a job in Juneau, Alaska as a Naturalist for Gastineau Guiding.
Q&A with Katie:
What more can you tell us about Gastineau Guiding and your career path?
“Gastineau Guiding a family-owned ecotourism company that allows its naturalists to get hands-on experience with research on whales, crabs, salmon, and other local wildlife, while also leading the ecotourism groups. This is fulfilling a big goal of mine, which is working somewhere new after graduation. I love Colorado, but want to see more of the world and learn more about unique ecosystems in other places.”
What are you most excited about with your future career?
“I am excited to share a love of the natural world. Getting to experience nature hands-on is so powerful for folks, and I hope to have a positive impact in the environmental education field.”
During school, did you gain experience with a related job?
“In 2022, I had the opportunity to do an Environmental Education Internship in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was really empowering, allowing me to develop nature-based educational materials for youth in the area. I also worked as a seasonal Park Ranger in Westminster, Colorado in the summer of 2023. I was able to learn more about human connection to the environment and how folks can work together to help maintain and support the landscapes we hold so dear.”
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to develop and lead nature-based educational programming for youth in an urban area, such as Metro Denver and similar to the internship in Minnesota. The opportunity really opened my eyes to the awesome opportunities I could help provide youth in the future. This is more of a long-term goal, and something I hope to land on after some seasonal work in new places.”
What was your favorite HDNR course?
“NRRT262, Environmental Communication. This course was what got me excited about environmental education. I met amazing friends in HDNR (shoutout to Anna C., you rock!), met an inspiring professor (thank you J. Solomon!), and learned the importance of connecting people to their environmental impacts.”
What was the most enjoyable part of your HDNR journey?
“I think the most enjoyable part was interning at the nature center in Minnesota to fill my NRRT487 internship requirement. As an environmental education intern in the Twin Cities, I was able to create nature-education programming from scratch, care for animals (including raptor birds, reptiles, and some small mammals), and lead conservation workshops in the surrounding communities. This opportunity allowed me to gain confidence in my studies and reassured me that there is in fact a place for me in the Natural Resources field going forward that I am passionate about and excited for.”
