When summer arrives, we’re excited to welcome a motivated, community-driven student to grow their career skills through an internship at the Jasper Newton Foundation. This year, we’re thrilled to introduce Forest Nyberg, a born-and-raised Newton County resident, as our intern!
Growing up in our counties has given Forest plenty of time to explore and appreciate what makes his home special, both for himself and his neighbors.
“I enjoy how small and cozy things here are, and how nice people are,” Forest said. “Yet, I also see how open the land is when I look out over it. The Nature Conservancy owns a lot of land right next to where I live, and I enjoy walking their trails. The sunsets over the prairie can be very beautiful in the fall.”
Beautiful moments like these reflect the heart of our rural communities. Inspired to give back to them, Forest set out to broaden his skills and perspective by completing the Newton County Soil & Water Conservation Intern program before joining us at JNF.
“When I was at Soil and Water, they did a very good job of giving me office work skills to go along with the outdoor skills,” he said. “Those office work skills have translated very well into this position at JNF.”
Forest and fellow Conservation Intern, Shelby, at The Nature Conservancy
Watching Forest’s skills continue to grow alongside an eagerness to help our communities is something we look forward to in every summer intern.
“I’m hoping to improve my skills and become a better writer,” Forest said. So I’ve enjoyed seeing the smaller details of how community projects get started and funded as I reach out to different people for write-ups of projects the Foundation funded.”
In addition to skill-building, we love to see our interns inspire the community by sharing what matters most to them.
Forest cleaning seeds picked at The Nature Conservancy
“There is so much value in finding a hobby that makes you feel accomplished,” Forest said. “Try and find something out there that isn’t staring at a computer screen just to pass time without being bored; something that makes you feel satisfied and proud of yourself.
For instance, I’d love to see people take more interest in the outdoors,” he continued. “Both spending time out there as well as planting more native plants in their own landscaping and community fixtures.
It’s important to serve your community because it already serves you. It’s easy to take it for granted, but we all benefit from having a strong community, and we all benefit when we work to serve our communities and make them stronger,” he closed.
We’re grateful to have such a driven and inspiring intern join us this summer. Cheers to all you will accomplish during this internship and beyond, Forest!
I enjoyed your story, Forest. Looks like you will be learning many new skills to take off to college with you!
Have a great summer! By the way, we checked out your native plant project at the Newton County Fair…it’s beautiful and healthy! Great work!
Sue Frischie