Former Intern is Shaping San Marcos’ Future

An inspiring example of your impact is Alison Fisher, a former Water Quality Intern at Nature Collective

Because of supporters like you, Nature Collective continues to serve as a springboard for the next generation of environmental educators and conservation leaders. Your investment in our internship programs provides hands-on mentorship and equips emerging professionals with lifelong skills that ripple across our community and beyond.

An inspiring example of your impact is Alison Fisher, a former Water Quality Intern at Nature Collective. Alison now works for the Vallecitos Water District in San Marcos.

Your generosity provided Alison with a foundation of water quality education put into practice. She still uses similar techniques to analyze data and take measurements that she learned during her internship with Nature Collective. “The constituents measured for lagoon water quality (pH, turbidity, disolved oxygen, temperature) are also true for water, wastewater, and treated effluent discharged to the ocean,” she explains.

Above: Alison taking weekly water quality samples during her internship.

She’s currently an assistant engineer in Capital Facilities at Vallecitos Water District, where they manage the design and construction of new and replacement water/wastewater infrastructure. 

“Working at the lagoon will always be a favorite experience of mine,” said Alison. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”

Above: Alison measures sand depth at the San Elijo inlet

Alison still visits the San Elijo Lagoon and walks its trails with friends and family and shares, “Everything is so beautiful!”

We are now accepting applications (through November 2, 2026) for our spring 2027 internships.