Many interns come to the Great Springs Project with a love for the outdoors and a desire to give back to the places that shaped them. Since 2020, our interns have helped advance conservation efforts across Central Texas while growing into stewards, storytellers, planners, and professional leaders in the region themselves. As the vision for a connected green corridor continues to grow, we’re proud to share the stories of our recent Spring 2026 interns who helped move that vision forward.
by Laisha Alvarado and Sheridan Ray
Spring 2026
Meet the Interns
Laisha Alvarado
Community Engagement
Originally from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Laisha’s identity is shaped by her family, the citrus fields surrounding her hometown, and the communities sustained by the Rio Grande/Río Bravo. Growing up in one of the most biodiverse regions in Texas fostered a deep appreciation for the natural world and a belief in reciprocity with the landscapes, waters, and wildlife that sustain us.
Laisha recently graduated from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin with a Master of Public Affairs degree. Her work has focused on water policy, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
At Great Springs Project, Laisha supported outreach events, research, and creative communications that strengthen conservation and trail connectivity across the corridor.
Sheridan Ray
Communications and Design
Inspired by a high school practicum with Austin’s Park Rangers, Sheridan developed a passion for connecting communities with the natural spaces around them. Growing up alongside Austin’s green spaces shaped her belief that conservation begins with people.
Sheridan recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Sustainability Studies. Her experience spans environmental education, community engagement, and creative outreach.
At Great Springs Project, Sheridan supported communications and design efforts that helped share the story of the corridor through illustration, visual media, and community storytelling.
Reflections
by Laisha Alvarado
One of my first realizations while interning with Great Springs Project was very humbling: trail runs are much harder than they look. During a long trail race event, kids flew past me through the mud while I tried to catch my breath and keep up. Somewhere between the sweat, uneven terrain, and laughter of embarrassment, I realized something important. Conservation is not experienced from behind a screen. You have to show up for it.
Connectivity Starts With Access
As I started intentionally visiting parks and trails across the corridor, I began noticing how much effort it takes for many communities to access green space at all. Some people drive long distances just to find a place to walk, rest, or feel connected to nature for a moment. That changed the way I thought about trails. They are not simply recreational spaces. They are access points to community, health, and a sense of belonging.
Moss, Bark, and Memory
I also started paying closer attention to the quieter details around me. The electric green moss growing along shaded rocks. Tree bark woven like baskets. Tiny patterns in leaves that made me want to carry a microscope in my backpack. The more I slowed down, the more the landscape revealed itself and the love I have for it since a child.
Questions Create Pathways
At stakeholder meetings and community events, I noticed another kind of ecology taking shape. The simple act of asking thoughtful questions often opened the door to meaningful conversations and lasting relationships. Community members, scientists, planners, volunteers, and local leaders all carried different concerns and hopes for what a connected 100+ mile corridor could become. When people feel heard, they usually tell you exactly why a place matters.
This experience reminded me that documentation is more than taking photos. It is the practice of paying attention. Sometimes conservation begins there first, in the decision to notice what has always been around us.
by Sheridan Ray
Through visiting different sites and talking with community members, it was always inspiring to hear how enthusiastic people were about learning more about Great Springs Project and the work we were doing. Coming into the program, I had to challenge the social anxiety that came with meeting new people. But through every “hello” and “Have you heard of us before?” it slowly became easier.
Watching other staff members engage with such confidence and care became incredibly motivating. Those conversations helped me better understand not only Austin, but the larger regional corridor and the communities connected through it. Along the way, I was also able to build new professional relationships that I feel grateful to continue exploring in the future.
Learning to Trust My Ideas
One of the biggest lessons I learned at GSP was how to trust my creative process. Anyone who works creatively understands how difficult it can be to explain the moving parts inside your head and turn them into something visual and meaningful. GSP gave me the opportunity to explore ideas freely without fear of judgment while still creating space for thoughtful and constructive feedback.
Nature as Inspiration
During my time at Great Springs Project, I truly appreciated having the freedom to expand my creativity and illustration skills. Nature has always been one of my greatest sources of inspiration, so this experience felt very natural to me. I was able to fully immerse myself in each project and think more deeply about the stories visuals can tell.
One of my favorite projects was designing the bandanas because it felt like creating something people could carry and wear as part of the corridor’s story. What I will remember most is the amount of trust and confidence GSP gave me throughout this experience.
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