Hi everyone in the CDRW community!
My name is Shelby Coulton (she/her/hers) and I am the newest Communications Intern for the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. I’m honored to be given this opportunity and excited to get started! As a lifelong resident of Ewing, New Jersey and Mercer County, I grew up a short distance from the banks of the Delaware River. This proximity has allowed me to cherish all that the Delaware River has to offer- it’s beauty, ecosystems, wildlife, unique features and more. Though I have always had an innate interest in the relationship we all share with the natural world around us, my environmental awareness spiked greatly once entering college.
I received a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a B.A. in Anthropology from Gettysburg College in 2018. Upon beginning my Environmental Studies degree, I was immediately drawn to studying and exploring human and non-human animal relationships. Furthermore, on a broader scale, I found it equally fascinating and horrifying how poorly our modern society interacts with the environment. These interests led me to complete two research projects during my senior year- one on factors influencing willingness to pay for endangered species conservation efforts, and the second on the relationships between humans and dogs across different cultures and time periods.
Some of my previous internship experiences include working as an Environmental Education Intern for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician Intern for the Mercer County Wildlife Center, and as an Excavation Intern for a Revolutionary War archaeological site located in York, Pennsylvania (an internship not related to the environment, but still a fun and informative experience!).
Following graduation, I returned to the Mercer County Wildlife Center where I currently work as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician. This position has enabled me to be a firsthand witness to the severe disconnect many individuals have with their surrounding natural environments and local wildlife. From this experience, I have grown an interest in why this disconnect has formed, why it persists, and how myself and others can help to replace this divide with connection. Ultimately, I believe improvement starts with ecofriendly policies and laws, stronger public education and awareness, and cleaner environments for humans and the species we share the land with to thrive within.
Though this Communications Internship is unlike any of my previous experiences, I’m confident my background and motivation will allow me to be a successful member of the team. I’m enthusiastic to learn a variety of new skills that will prepare me for future positions in the environmental communications field and beyond. Most of all, coming from a wildlife background, I’m excited to expand my knowledge on issues impacting the Delaware River Watershed and to take on a variety of new challenges.
I’m thrilled to be a part of such a strong organization, and I look forward to working with all of you to create a healthier Delaware River Watershed for current generations and all of the generations to come!