This summer, PERC hosted six remarkable interns at our headquarters in Bozeman, Montana. They worked alongside PERC staff and visiting research fellows, visited working ranches and conservation projects across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and got a full dose of what a Montana summer has to offer.Â
Our Summer 2026 interns included:
- Kate Munson, Conservation Law & Policy Center intern
- Jessie Bough, Conservation Innovation Lab & Marketing intern
- Wes McEvoy, Conservation Innovation Lab intern
- Eliza Connolly, Conservation Law & Policy Center intern
- Katie Rube, Research intern
- Marguerite DeMarco, Development intern
Rather than tell you about their summer, we asked them to share a bit in their own words.
Kate Munson, Conservation Law intern
I am in law school at Notre Dame with an interest in environmental law after studying biology in undergrad. In five years I hope to be doing work that combines policy with on-the-ground research.
This summer I learned how to write an amicus brief in support of a United States Forest Service project that would help keep the Gallatin Forest healthy through controlled burns and thinning to prevent pest outbreaks. I also got to do research on environmental legislation and new regulations affecting conservation efforts.
My most memorable moment was meeting up with some other interns at Yellowstone and getting caught in a bison traffic jam. Those guys are huge!
My biggest takeaway from my summer at PERC is how important thinking outside of the box is in conservation. It was invaluable to see the PERC team work together across specialties to figure out new solutions and actually test them out. My advice to next year’s interns is to explore Montana, make friends with each other, and learn from all the amazing people at PERC.
Jessie Bough, Conservation Innovation Lab & Communications intern
I’m studying Earth Systems at Stanford, with a focus on sustainable food and agriculture. In five years, I hope I’m back in Montana doing work that keeps me close to agriculture and rural communities.
My big project at PERC was exploring how conservation tools could help farmers with profitability and passing the farm to the next generation. I wrote an op-ed about the idea and am putting together a toolkit farmers can actually use. I also got to do everything from researching North Dakota’s e-posting law to making flower bouquets for senators, building a fake cow to display virtual fencing collars on, and somehow ending up on stage right before Carrie Underwood!
Some of my favorite days were spent scouting camera locations for the Grizzly Payment for Presence program, where I got to see a family of wolves in the wild. I’m leaving with a much better idea of the kind of place I want to work–somewhere with the energy, passion, and variety I found at PERC.
My advice to the next intern: say yes and ask to go along. I learned something from everyone I worked with!
Eliza Connolly, Conservation Law & Policy Center intern
I am a current 4th year at the University of Virginia double majoring in Public Policy and Leadership and American Government. In five years, I hope to help bridge the gap between the policies being drafted in D.C. to govern our public lands and the people most affected by their shortcomings.
This summer, I completed a research project exploring inefficiencies in campsite fee systems across National Parks and other public lands, ultimately recommending changes to cancellation fees to incentivize the behavior these systems seek to encourage.
Hands down, the most memorable moment of the summer was helping host the Senate Bipartisan Stewardship Congressional delegation at Chico Lodge. Sitting between two United States Senators at dinner was one of the best opportunities of my life, not simply because of my interest in politics, but because it strengthened my belief that, no matter who you are or where you come from, you can find common ground and community with anyone.
One thing I will always take away from PERC is that policymakers have to meet people where they are and find solutions that work for them–something PERC strives to do every day.
My best advice for next year’s intern: knock on people’s doors and ask questions! Although I was in the policy department, many of my favorite memories and best ideas came from PERC staff across departments, who helped me understand conservation not just as a policy issue, but as a passion that shapes the work and lives of the people in the office. Also, make friends with the other interns, they’ll make Montana one of your favorite places!
Katie Rube, Research intern
I graduated from USC this May with a BA in economics, and in September I’m heading to Chicago to work as a State and Local Government Consultant at Guidehouse. Looking forward, I hope to continue doing meaningful work with policy implications that matter.
One project I did this summer was researching how instream flow rights vary across western states to explore existing barriers to water markets. My main takeaway from PERC is that conservation solutions don’t have to be zero sum for land/water/wildlife and people. Knowing that gives me a lot of hope for the future, and it’s a philosophy that can be applied to any policy area.
One of my most memorable moments from the summer was singing “Before He Cheats” with the other interns at the top of our lungs at Carrie Underwood’s set at Wildlands.
My biggest piece of advice to next year’s interns is to become friends and explore Bozeman. There are so many fun things to do in the summer and it’s a really special opportunity to get close with other people cool enough to spend their summer here! You’ll love it!
Marguerite DeMarco, Development intern
I graduated this June from Stanford University with Bachelors Degrees in Classics and English Literature, and a Masters in Medieval Literature and Paleography. After this summer, I am going to Durham, England to do a museum curatorship program, and I hope to work in museums going forward.
My main project at PERC was researching and writing a report on PERC’s work regarding the Endangered Species Act, along with designing a companion infographic, which will be shared with donors shortly. I also designed templates for future development events and managed an ongoing database of PERC’s earned media stories. One of my favorite responsibilities, though, was a simple one: handwriting thank-you notes to our donors.
I’m leaving PERC with a much deeper understanding of what thoughtful development work looks like. I saw how important it is to connect people to an organization’s mission and show them the impact of their support.
My biggest piece of advice to any intern is to explore the beautiful state of Montana! Go to Yellowstone, go to a rodeo, spend an evening swing dancing, and take every opportunity you can to get outside. There is so much to see and do here, and ten weeks will fly by!
Wes McEvoy, Conservation Innovation Lab intern
I earned a B.S. in computer engineering from CU Boulder in 2024. After graduating, I worked in the emergency room as an EMT for over a year before switching to the conservation field. In five years, I see myself working on innovative conservation initiatives and possibly gearing up to get a masters in a related field.
At PERC I worked with the Conservation Innovation Lab and supported their on-the-ground projects including virtual fencing and grizzly payment for presence. This involved ranch visits, tearing down old fencing, and hiking long distances to check camera traps. When I wasn’t in the field I was building a tool in ArcGIS that evaluates the social and ecological value of potential project sites, allowing my team to easily prioritize high-value properties amidst a mountain of project proposals.
My most memorable moment was spending three days on the Box X Ranch in Southeast Montana. My team joined other nonprofits and the University of Wyoming in assisting the ranch staff with tearing down 10 miles of fence. The work was incredibly satisfying and in the evenings we all cooked and ate together and camped out on the prairie.
I’m leaving PERC with insights gained from speaking with ranchers. To hear firsthand from the folks who are directly affected by wildlife, the climate, and conservation measures was incredibly informative and enlightening.
My best advice: talk to everyone you possibly can. PERC staff, ranchers, policymakers, whomever you’re around strike up a conversation with them!
The future of conservation is bright
Throughout the summer each of these individuals made exceptional contributions to PERC, and we sincerely enjoyed hosting them, teaching them, and learning from them.
PERC’s internship program runs every summer, pairing students and recent grads with real projects across research, policy, communications, and conservation. If this sounds like the experience for you, keep an eye on PERC.org/careers for Summer 2027 internship applications.
