<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Alyssa-Riggs-Yellowstone-250pxl.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 188px; float: right;" />I first became a part of the Au Sable community in the summer of 2011 when I took a &lsquo;Marine Mammals&rsquo; course at the Pacific Rim campus. &nbsp;After graduating from Bethel University that following winter, I continued my involvement by becoming an Environmental Education intern at the Great Lakes Campus. &nbsp;Even though I have only been involved with Au Sable for a little over a year now, it has played a large role in the series of events that led to my fisheries internship in Yellowstone National Park this past fall. &nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Throughout the Environmental Education internship, Paul (the EE Coordinator) would occasionally post job and internship opportunities, and this led me to find and apply for the Yellowstone internship. I certainly did not expect to jump into something like my EE internship so quickly after graduation, let alone continue to stay busy after the internship was over. Saying 2012 was a big year for me is an understatement.&nbsp;</p>
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	Living in Northern Michigan last winter was a blast, and I loved it so much that I came back to visit this past summer. &nbsp;I don&rsquo;t think I would have enjoyed it as much if it weren&rsquo;t for the people I worked with. I made some long lasting friendships and was excited to have one of my fellow interns visit me when I was in Yellowstone. &nbsp;</p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Stream-sampling-250pxl.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 188px; float: right;" />Prior to Yellowstone, I had never been involved in any fisheries-related work. I learned a lot from both the park biologists as well as from hands-on experience. &nbsp;Using state of the art equipment and working in the backcountry are things that I knew not to take for granted when I was there. &nbsp;Most projects dealt with non-native fish removal, and one of the most heavily funded projects is the Lake Trout removal in Yellowstone Lake. It is a big issue that the park biologists are striving to resolve, and I&rsquo;m glad I got to take part in their work. &nbsp;</p>
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	Not many people can say they have lived and worked in one of America&rsquo;s greatest national parks, and I am truly indebted to Au Sable for leading me there. It was the adventure of a lifetime, and being immersed in the intricate landscapes and witnessing the wildlife of the park was surreal. It magnified my perception of just how creative and intricate God&rsquo;s works really are. &nbsp;(If you are interested in hearing more about my time in YNP, you can read my blog at rigaly.tumblr.com)</p>
<p>
	Apart from being an intern at Au Sable and YNP, I found the time to do some traveling as well. &nbsp;For a little over a month in the spring of 2012, I backpacked through Europe. It was something that I have dreamt of doing all my life, and it was a perfect celebratory gift for graduating from college.</p>
<p>
	It certainly has been a busy and eventful year, and looking back on it now, I am realizing God&rsquo;s amazing planning and precision that he has had in my life thus far. Moving towards the New Year, I am excited about what things God has in store for me next!</p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Yellowstone-Caribou-600pxl.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 660px; float: left;" /></p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Yellowstone-Buffalo-600pxl.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 450px; float: left;" /></p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Yellowstone-Coyote-600pxl.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 450px; float: left;" /></p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Alyssa-Riggs-Yellowstone-600pxl.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 372px; float: left;" /></p>
