Making Waves through Community-Based Work-Study
Meet Ava McQuain, a student at Carleton College who’s discovering her path while juggling the exciting–and sometimes challenging–adventures of college life. Thanks to her professor, who encouraged the class to join, Ava learned about Clean River Partners during a fun and impactful Watershed-Wide Cleanup event. That day opened her eyes to the amazing work happening to protect our environment and sparked her enthusiasm to dive deeper into local conservation efforts.
After that experience, a fellow student had the perfect suggestion: Ava should apply for a work-study position at Clean River Partners. She jumped at the chance! The role promised creativity and independence, which she highly values, and it was the perfect fit for her personal and professional interests.
In her role, Ava embarked on a project called “River Residents.” The goal was to create a social media campaign highlighting the diverse wildlife in the Cannon River Watershed. With her curiosity piqued, Ava dove into research, spending countless hours exploring the Minnesota Historical Society’s digital newspaper archive.
But Ava didn’t stop there; she was determined to bring these stories to life! She learned to use Inkscape, an art program that helped her design beautiful vector illustrations of various species. Each visual was crafted with care, focusing on species that often get overlooked. Ava felt strongly that her project should educate the community about these unique creatures and their tales.
“I wanted to dive deeper, to teach people not just about the animals but also the rich history tied to their existence,” she said.
To make her project even better, Ava contacted the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for tips on incorporating endangered species. She focused on bringing attention to these important animals, hoping to grow awareness and inspire action among community members.
“I hope this project shows the community just how incredible these species are and how we can all play a part in protecting them,” Ava shared with a smile. “Connecting local stories with environmental education is so important!”
This academic year, she’s taking her involvement to the next level by creating engaging blog posts about conservation agriculture, habitat protection, and how folks can get involved in their communities. These posts will be linked to Clean River Partners’ website, making information accessible and encouraging everyone to join the cause.
Ava’s time at Clean River Partners has shown her how beautifully her love for art and science can be combined. The friendly and supportive environment has allowed her to unleash her creativity, proving that art can play a vital role in environmental work and creating connections that encourage awareness and action.
Looking ahead, Ava is excited about a career that combines her passions for environmental science and art. She hopes to positively impact her community and inspire others to care about protecting our precious natural resources. Ava’s journey is just beginning; we can’t wait to see where it takes her!
