What’s up? — Science Illustration Interns

—Daniel Williford, Central California Watershed Program Coordinator, Interpretation and Education Division

Last fall, the Cannabis Watershed Protection Program funded the first cohort of the Science Illustration Internship. In partnership with American Conservation Experience, we hired three paid interns to design and illustrate interpretive exhibit panels. These panels will become part of the Interpretation and Education Division’s Park Panel Program, which features general interest interpretive panels for use across a wide range of parks. We are currently in conversation with several districts about fabricating and installing some of these panels in state parks throughout California.

One of the interpretive panels made by program interns describing riparian habitats

Olivia Meurk, Gabriela Aguilar, and Maureen Kahn—graduates of the California State University, Monterey Bay Science Illustration Certificate Program—brought fresh creative energy to the interpretive panels they produced during their 11 week internship. Early in their science illustration careers, they approached each assignment with confidence, enthusiasm, and remarkable flexibility. They welcomed constructive feedback throughout the process and expressed how grateful they were to contribute to California State Parks, even for a short time.

One of the interpretive panels made by program interns describing healthy creek ecosystems

Their connection to State Parks doesn’t need to end with this internship. There are many opportunities for high quality science illustration across the department. If you would like their contact information or are interested in discussing the possibility of bringing some of these panels into your park, please reach out at daniel.williford@parks.ca.gov.

Plans are now underway for our next Science Illustration Internship cohort beginning this coming August 2026!