On the trunk of an Oak Tree, a squirrel scales the bark in pursuit of a treasured acorn, while a chipmunk nearby already has its cheeks stuffed. Squirrels and chipmunks are the usual suspects for acorn collection, but they have a formidable opponent: the Blue Jay.
Blue Jay
Acorn Frenzy
Similar to squirrels, Blue Jays cache their acorns and collect a whopping 3,000 to 5,000 acorns in one autumn. And not just any acorns. These skilled jays can determine if the acorn is infested with pesky weevils—a process that still puzzles scientists—by simply picking one up in their beaks.
Blue Jays can hold up to three acorns in the gular pouch located in their throat, along with one in their mouth and one in the tip of their beak, for a total of five acorns per trip. They store the acorns in the ground, and the ones that don’t get eaten by the jay, or any other creature looking for a snack, are left to germinate and grow. Because of this, Blue Jays are often credited with spreading oak tree populations after the last glacial period.
Dazzling and Intelligent
Clever, pugnacious Blue Jays are well-known for their territorial behavior and raucous Jay! Jay! call, but they are capable of an amazing array of vocal sounds, including whistles, toots, and wheedle-wheedle calls. Blue Jays can even mimic the scream of a Red-tailed Hawk in order to scare other birds.
Like all blue birds, Blue Jays are not actually blue! Most of the vibrant feather colors found in birds, like yellow and red, come from pigments in their food that absorb certain wavelengths of light, but no birds (and almost no species in the entire animal kingdom) can produce blue pigments. Instead, the blue color is the result of light refracting off tiny, specialized structures in the bird’s feathers.
Mass Audubon’s Environmental Fellowship Program offers a 14-month position to recent graduates launching their careers. In its inaugural year, Mass Audubon welcomed five fellows.
Environmental Fellows 2022-2023
Each fellow in the cohort is based in a different Mass Audubon department, but they still see each other often for fellowship workshops and experiences out in nature. Their role at Mass Audubon is two-fold: They are here to gain experience and develop skills that will help advance their careers, and they are also here to contribute their talents to advancing Mass Audubon’s work to protect the nature of Massachusetts.
“It’s been so fulfilling to work with the fellows,” said Aisha Farley, the early career programs manager. “Each of them brings a well-considered perspective to their work, which is impressive to see from folks so early in their careers.”
Jovan Bryan, Land Conservation Fellow
Jovan Bryan
Jovan (he/him) earned his degree in environmental science from UMass Lowell. His studies included minors in climate change and sustainability, as well as architectural studies. He enjoys biking, hiking, laying out in the sun with a cool breeze, and watching movies with his family. His relationship with nature is just as important and personal to him as his relationships with people.
The opportunity to engage with the environment and communities alike through land conservation is what drew him to Mass Audubon. As he builds the skills necessary to create more connections between people and nature during his fellowship, Jovan’s hope is to spread a message of understanding and respect for one another and for the natural world.
Anna Cass, Marketing & Communications Fellow
Anna Cass
Anna (she/her) graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in public health, public policy, and socially transformative arts. She spent the last few years working in communications for a disability policy research institute, focusing on inclusive communications and improving the reach of impactful, intersectional research.
Anna will soon complete a Master of Science in digital marketing and design. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her painting, taking photos in nature, or tending to a menagerie of house plants.
Isabela (she/her) graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in environmental and sustainability studies and has been involved in coalition work with several environmental organizations.
She especially enjoys working with youth and focusing on policy for environment-related issues, specifically environmental justice and Indigenous justice. Some of her hobbies include going on hikes, playing soccer, watching shows, and singing.
Amara Chittenden, Conservation Science Fellow
Amara Chittenden
Amara (she/they) graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in biological sciences. While there, she had the opportunity to research organisms from harvester ants to humpback whales. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new trails, making art out of stained glass, and playing guitar.
After working in labs testing for diseases like COVID-19, she is excited to pivot back to her passion in the environmental field and immerse herself in a team of seasoned professionals who can speak to a variety of career paths in conservation science.
Isabella Guerero, Environmental Education Fellow
Isabella Guerero
Isabella (she/her/any) graduated from Lesley University with a degree in biology, with a special interest in botany and natural history. She enjoys observing wildlife camera trap data and advocating for food justice and environmental opportunities for underrepresented communities.
In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading, and hanging out with her backyard chickens in her home garden. She is excited to work in education, learn from the other fellows and Mass Audubon staff, and become a voice in the environmental science world.
About the Environmental Fellowship Program
Mass Audubon created the Environmental Fellowship Program to expand early career opportunities for young professionals with identities that have been historically underrepresented in the environmental and conservation fields.
To apply to the program, learn more, or support the program, visit massaudubon.org/efp.
