Mapping Ohio
Ohio Wesleyan Student Completes Environmental Science Internship with Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Name: Cooper Gensler '28
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
High School: Maumee Valley Country Day
Majors: Geography and Environmental Science
OWU Connection Experience: Internship with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP).
During his internship, Gensler worked alongside student Marin Whitsett '27 and alumnus Wyatt McQueen '22. Gensler gained hands-on experience in environmental fieldwork, including Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) sampling with the state department.
He also participated in electrofishing population surveys of grass carp, inspected sites for orphaned oil wells, and shadowed drilling contractors.
[I]t allowed me to connect what I have learned in the classroom with practical work that has a direct impact on Ohio's natural resources.
Why This Opportunity?
"I pursued this opportunity because I wanted to gain hands-on experience in environmental science while exploring how the skills I have developed at OWU can be applied to real-world environmental work.
"As an Environmental Science and Geography major, I am particularly interested in environmental monitoring and field-based research. This internship gave me the opportunity to work directly in the field while learning more about natural resource management and the different career paths available within environmental science.
"It was especially meaningful because it allowed me to connect what I have learned in the classroom with practical work that has a direct impact on Ohio's natural resources."
My Favorite Moment
"Being able to pick up a rock from a river and know each type of macroinvertebrate that was on it was really cool. This whole experience made the world seem much bigger, which was very humbling yet fascinating to me.
"I have learned to appreciate our local waterways more and understand why Ohio is such a cool place in terms of the state's biodiversity."
Lessons Learned
"This experience taught me how important it is to connect classroom knowledge with hands-on field experience. My coursework in Environmental Science, Geography, GIS and remote sensing has given me a foundation for understanding environmental systems and analyzing data, but working with ODNR showed me how those skills fit into actual environmental management.
"I also learned that environmental work requires flexibility, teamwork, careful observation, and the ability to adapt to different field conditions. The experience helped me better understand the types of careers available in environmental science and reinforced my interest in environmental work.
"Experiences like this are important because they allow students to explore career paths while developing skills that are difficult to gain solely in a classroom."
My Campus Involvements
"President of Club Soccer and member of the Environmental Science Student Board."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose to study at Ohio Wesleyan because of the tight-knit community and the support I have as a student. The small class sizes mean I get to know my professors a lot better and gain opportunities through them.
"I have loved my time here as a student, and I know I made the right choice."
My Plans After Graduation
"After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in environmental science with a focus on GIS, environmental data analysis, natural resource management, or a related field. I am particularly interested in finding ways to combine field-based environmental work with geospatial technologies. OWU is preparing me for these goals through my Environmental Science and Geography coursework.
"I have been able to take part in an independent study and large research projects. My experiences at OWU have helped me develop both technical skills and the ability to communicate and work collaboratively on environmental projects."