Kate Nassab '22

Kate Nassab '22: Intern, Friends of Harriman State Park, Summer 2021

This summer I worked as a marketing and PR intern for Friends of Harriman State Park in Island Park, Idaho. Initially, I was set to work with the group the summer of 2020, but with Covid those plans were put on hold. When I was offered the internship the following summer I immediately agreed, looking forward to working with a group focused on conservation and spending time out west.

Friends of Harriman State Park (FHSP) is a non-profit that works closely with Harriman State Park (HSP) of Idaho. FHSP serves as a fundraising partner and a volunteer group for the state park. When I started my work with FHSP, it coincided with the Ranch Bridge dedication. The Ranch Bridge project spanned over four years and was the largest fundraising endeavor the group had undertaken. The newly constructed bridge crossed over the Henry's Fork of the Snake River and was in need of repair after 100 years of use by visitors and cattle grazing in the park. The celebration that followed the bridge dedication demonstrated the positive change made when individuals dedicate their resources to preserving a historically and culturally significant place in nature.

The main task I worked on this summer was a community survey that guided the strategic plan put together by the Board. I worked with a consultant named Terre Short on this market research that was key in forming the future plans of FHSP. I facilitated focus groups, conducted interviews and put together an online survey to gather opinions on how FHSP is performing and what the community hopes to see the group do in the future. I analyzed the feedback and prepared it for the Board's analysis. The feedback was crucial in guiding the Board's plans to maximize their impact at HSP.

As I think about what I want to do after graduation, I hope to work somewhere in the intersection of business and sustainability. Knowing how many people there are that support the protection of the planet motivates me to find a career in this area. The summer was a chance for me to explore just one avenue where passionate individuals are doing what they can to protect the environment.