Texas Leaders in Conservation – Full Circle

.Every year, Texas Leaders in Conservation (TLC) hosts career panels for its students. Based on their career interests, the program's annual theme, and the availability of professionals, TLC brings together panelists for an afternoon of meaningful conversation, career insights, and connection with students. This year, TLC staff had the great pleasure of inviting the program's very first intern, Shayndel Solomon, back as a panelist.

Anyone who has the privilege of working with teens knows one of the greatest rewards is watching them gain confidence, develop their own priorities, and grow into independent adults. Having Shayndel return as a recent Cornell University graduate to share their college journey, discuss the value of internships, and serve as a role model for the Balch Springs cohort was truly inspiring.

After the panel, Shayndel and TLC staff had the opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the impact their internship with Audubon has had on their education and current career. Shayndel completed an 8-week internship with Trinity River Audubon Center in the summer of 2021, immediately after graduating from one of TLC's partner schools, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School. All TLC interns participate in five core areas of experience: conservation action, environmental education, social media storytelling, center support, and a passion project. Shayndel's passion project focused on revitalizing the Center's greenhouse, improving its functionality, and helping ensure native prairie plants matured successfully before being planted on the property.

Throughout the internship, Shayndel also created educational, engaging, and often humorous videos for Trinity River Audubon Center's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The research, writing, and content creation process helped them retain valuable plant knowledge that later supported their horticulture studies at Cornell. At the same time, the experience taught them something equally important: social media wasn't their passion. The purpose of the TLC internship is to expose students to a variety of responsibilities and career pathways, helping them better understand the depth and breadth of nonprofit conservation work. TLC aims for its interns to leave not only with new skills and experiences, but also with a stronger understanding of themselves, what motivates them, and what may not be the right fit, self-awareness that helps them focus their energy on the work that matters most to them.

Shayndel shared that shadowing education program managers helped them understand how to engage people in conservation and inspire excitement about learning. During college, Shayndel completed a second internship on a private estate, helping to restore and maintain native plant communities. The contrast between a public space dedicated to connecting people with nature and a private conservation setting reinforced an important lesson: green spaces are essential to human connection and shouldn't be a privilege, but a right. Audubon helps keep nature accessible to everyone.

Five years later, many of the skills and experiences Shayndel gained during their Audubon internship remain relevant. Their time battling Johnson grass at Audubon has proven useful in their current work at Bonton Farms, where the invasive grass continues to be a persistent challenge. Likewise, observing a skilled Educator lead programs with enthusiasm and confidence helped prepare Shayndel to do the same at Bonton Farms, where they now regularly welcome and guide large groups of volunteers during planting and harvest events.

Just as the lessons Shayndel learned during their internship continue to influence their work, their impact on the TLC program continues as well. Insights from their weekly reports and exit interview, led to improvements in the internship program the following year. Reconnecting with Shayndel this spring provided valuable new perspective on experiences they wish they'd had during their internship, offering fresh ideas for enhancements to offer future TLC interns.

Having Shayndel serve as a panelist for TLC's new partner school, Balch Springs STEAM Academy, was a full circle moment for everyone involved. Watching Shayndel grow into a champion for accessible green spaces and community connection is a source of real pride for the program. At Audubon Texas, the commitment to creating engagement opportunities for the next generation of conservation professionals remains strong. To continue protecting birds and the places they need, Audubon must invest not only in today's work but also in tomorrow's leaders—and one of the best ways to do that is by learning from former participants like Shayndel.

Get Involved

If you're inspired by Shayndel's work and live in the Dallas area, Bonton Farms hosts a wide variety of opportunities to volunteer and connect with your community. Learn more at Bontonfarms.org.