My internship in Colorado was one of the most rewarding experiences since my enrollment at the Univerisy of Vermont. With your generous scholarship, I was able to live in Lake City, Colorado and work for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Because of my position as an intern as opposed to a full time employee, I was given very little money for living expenses and would not have been able to accept the position without your help.

I have always considered Burlington, Vermont the perfect place to live because it is located near the mountains and has a population of only 40,000. I was taken aback when I first arrived in Lake City, not only because the sign read, “Population 375,” but because of the five 14,000 foot peaks that surrounded the rustic mining town.
Through the BLM, I took a position as a Recreation Intern and had responsibilities similar to that of a Park Ranger. I patrolled and cleaned campsites; hiked and maintained backcountry trails, and surveyed wilderness areas monitoring visitor impact. Through work and free time, I saw a great variety of wildlife such as bear, elk, bighorn sheep and moose. I was also able to snowboard in July at 13,000 ft. and I was able to fly fish many amazing trout streams.

This summer, I met a wide variety of people and learned many things about private and public outdoor recreation. Because of my focus and determination with the BLM, I have a clearer vision of my future goals and have made connections that will help in almost any path I choose to take.

I am so appreciative of the scholarship I received and I am glad that this same opportunity has been given to other students. This generosity will last long after my internship and I will always be grateful.

Thanks you so much.

Sincerely,
Mathhew Getz