AmeriCorps Featured Members - Cara Kovacs

We are pleased to feature Cara (CJ) Kovacs, who joined us this summer for an impactful AmeriCorps term with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Here is what CJ had to say about their service:

“My name is Cara (CJ) Kovacs, and I served as the Stewardship and Conservation GIS Mapping Assistant at Shirley Heinze Land Trust. During my term, I focused on managing data, reducing online storage costs (by over 80%!), and creating GIS material to support other projects. This experience taught me about how GIS is used in a real organization doing everything from creating a tool to track disease spread to organizing and categorizing old GIS data for future use, and I plan to apply these skills as I move forward in my career.”

Why did you join AmeriCorps?/How did you hear about the AmeriCorps opportunity?

I joined because I wanted to start building a career in GIS, especially one that would positively impact people and environments. I saw the opportunity listed online.

What was one impactful project, memory, or experience from your term of service?

Cleaning up the data! I love organizing things, and it was my most important task. Helping with Ducks Unlimited is a close second, though.

What is next for you professionally?

Next, I am looking into jobs that combine environmental science and GIS, including things like urban natural spaces development, wetland and waterway restoration, conservation, and renewable energy.

Thank you, CJ, for your service!