Richard is a rising sophomore studying biochemistry and computer science at Vanderbilt University. This summer, he is interning with the US Forest Service in the Glacier Ranger District near Girdwood, Alaska.
What major projects are you working on in your internship? What responsibilities are you most excited about and why?
The largest-scale project currently going on in the Chugach is vegetation mapping in conjunction with spectral signature analysis in order to characterize any land area through satellite imagery. The spectral signature analysis is being conducted by a company located in Salt Lake City, whereas my responsibility involves ground trothing the information.
Another long-term project involves invasive plant control, especially in high-use areas by hikers, campers, and bikers. We record and revisit known invasive species sites marked by GPS waypoints, and mitigate the spread of invasive plants with tools or herbicide. Many of the sites I have worked at were high-use areas, such as cabins, or points marked from previous years.
The Cook Inlet Beluga Whales have recently been assigned an endangered status, largely due to overhunting. Part of my responsibility this summer is monitoring for beluga whales and sightings, recording the types of activity the whales are exhibiting, and comparing this with possible environmental disturbances that affect how belugas would normally behave. This is being done in conjunction with Suzanne Steinert, who is conducting research on boating activity and its effects on beluga whale habitat.
While invasive plant control does not appear to have the most exciting set of responsibilities, a lot of the sites in which these plants are located are far removed from most means of transportation. I am most excited about the trips leading up to these projects, for they are very unique and test my physical strength. I have already done mountain biking with trailers, hiking with pack rafts and paddling along a lake in search of aquatic invasives, and riding trains out to a glacier site where dandelions have flourished.
When did you realize you wanted to explore public service?
During high school summers, I spent a large portion of my time volunteering in hospitals. While most of the duties I had were satisfying, for I brought quality of care improvements to the patients I indirectly assisted, there was one moment where I felt that my duty was integral to helping someone far more than he could have ever helped himself.
I was volunteering at the VA Medical Center in Cincinnati, and I was tasked with helping a blind man find his way to a treatment room. He held onto my arm while I led him to his destination, and when he thanked me, I felt how powerful my actions were in their capacity to do good for others. At this point, I hoped to do something in my future career where my actions would benefit those who were unable to help themselves.
What are your plans/ goals after this internship? Are there any goals you want to accomplish this summer?
After this internship, I hope to become more involved with service on my college campus. I am open to whatever form of service becomes available to me. One overall goal would be to gain a position of leadership in a service organization, where I can teach others about my passion for service and hopefully ignite a similar passion in their perception of life.
During this summer, my goal is to continue to provide service to the Chugach National Forest and all those who partake in its offerings. Even though I will not be meeting many of the people whom my work has reached, I hope my actions are far-reaching in the benefits they provide to the forest’s users.
I have a few scattered goals not directly related to public service that I would also like to accomplish this summer. I hope to catch my first salmon and make a meal out of it, collect wild berries and possibly make jam out of them, and maybe see a brown bear from a distance. 
What are you looking forward to in DC / where your internship is located?
I most look forward to finding new sights and exploring new places in Alaska. As its nickname goes, “The Last Frontier”, there are many places to get out to, and quite a few within biking distance of me! The warehouse in my district has some extra bikes I can borrow if I so choose. I have already hiked a very steep trail up to 2000 feet in less than two miles, and I am looking forward to making more treks and doing more Alaskan activities.
Another aspect to look forward to is meeting more people and learning about their backgrounds and passions. Already, I have met great, outdoorsy people, who have the ability to take a car and fishing gear out to catch salmon, spend the whole day hiking a long trail and hitchhiking to return to the trailhead, or take a bike out to ride until 2:30 in the morning (It pretty much stays bright 24 hours here). Meeting more of these people and finding more about their passions may allow me to find new passions of my own and do things I would likely not have ever been able to do elsewhere.
What do you do for fun?
I have played the cello since I was around 5 years old, and have played in numerous orchestras, and still am up to this date. I did not bring my cello to Alaska, but I do wish there was one up here.
I also enjoy playing sports for recreation with friends, such as ultimate Frisbee, ping pong, or spikeball. I played an ultimate Frisbee game up in Girdwood with their residents, and had a great time.
I also enjoy hiking with friends, specifically backpacking and camping. I have yet to do so in high school, but after finding a tight group of friends during my first year at college, it is possible that we go out for a hitch sometime during the semester.
I recently started to play chess more, with my roommate in the Glacier Ranger District Bunkhouse, who is a better player than me, so I am spending more time learning about chess. By no means am I good, but hopefully I will have some improvements I can look back upon at the end of the summer. I might even continue playing chess when I return to college to keep myself sharp.
On the side, I also enjoy catching up with friends online, because I am in Alaska right now. Sometimes I simply enjoy hanging out with friends for fun, or going someplace interesting with them.
Any advice to those who want to apply to the CAPAL program/ go into public service?
Service is something that cannot be forced. The capacity to provide service to others should be something that one feels satisfied doing. Essentially, going into public service requires commitment to a cause, and that should be the sole force that brings one into public service.
The CAPAL program is truly spectacular and provides so much support to those who have determined that service to others is something that defines their motivations. The connections and experiences I have had in public service are truly watershed moments in my life, and CAPAL is truly dedicated to finding ways to bring future servicemen and servicewomen into connection with the tools that can bring them to a future career. At no other point in my life have I felt so content traveling alone to a place this far away from home, and for this long a period of time as I have been in the whole month I have spent performing public service in Alaska.
Meet all of our CAPAL Scholars & Interns here.
Posted by Nattacha Munakata
Nattacha Munakata is currently a rising sophomore at George Mason University, studying Community Health with a concentration in Clinical Science (Pre-med). On campus, she is Peer Health Advisor, working to raise awareness and educate students on health issues. She is also involved in TEDxGMU and Thai Student Association. Outside, she likes to volunteer for local organizations and events, such as the DC Sakura matsuri and her local FIRST robotics team. During her free time, she likes to watch Netflix dramas and explore new music.