Where Are They Now? Launching Lifelong Conservation Careers

How Your Support of Nature Collective’s Internship Program Shaped a Career

Jeannette Lizarraga’s journey began with an internship at Nature Collective in 2016, made possible by the generous support of donors like you. Under the mentorship of Nature Collective’s professional Habitat Management staff, she gained hands-on experience in the Native Plant Nursery, laying the foundation for her career. Today, as an Environmental Planner at the County of San Diego in the Long-Range Planning Division, Jeannette still carries the valuable skills she learned through her time with us.

A native of San Diego, Jeannette attributes her passion for restoration, preservation, and education of fragile coastal wetlands like the San Elijo Lagoon to her early hands-on experience with Nature Collective, made possible by donor support.

The impact of your generosity extends far beyond her internship. Jeannette still applies the skills she acquired, such as:

*Following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) – from cleaning pots and mixing soil to seed starting – she now writes divisional SOPs at her current job.

*Coordinating events – from organizing and leading public volunteer activities – she now plans and facilitates public outreach workshops for the County.

*Conducting research and managing data – from native plant germination studies to database cataloging – she now performs extensive research and data analysis using Microsoft Excel.

After her internship, Jeannette continued her commitment to the environment by studying at UC Davis, where she earned her B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning with a focus on Urban and Regional Planning in 2020.

Jeannette remains connected to San Elijo Lagoon, enjoying it with her family. Whether hiking with her husband and children or engaging in photography, gardening, and biking, she embodies the lasting impact of your support in fostering future environmental stewards like her.

We are now accepting applications for our Fall 2026 Internship Program through Friday, July 17. Apply Today.