Drake Nemeth
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Long-term Fellow: September 2025 - 2026
Mentored by: Dr. Nicole Angeli and Jennifer Valiulis, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife
I first learned about the Navigating Home Fellowship opportunity when was an undergraduate student at the University of the Virgin Islands, working in the GRROE mangrove lab. Dr. Kristin Grimes encouraged me to explore the program, and after seeing the experiences of previous fellows, I knew it was an opportunity worth pursuing. What I couldn’t have known at the time was just how much the experience would shape my confidence, skills, and direction as an emerging conservation professional.
Working with the Division of Fish and Wildlife gave me the opportunity to experience wildlife conservation firsthand, across a range of projects and environments. I surveyed freshwater ghuts throughout St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, learning field techniques for capturing, identifying, and documenting aquatic species. I participated in Virgin Islands tree boa surveys on Stevens Cay, gaining experience handling, measuring, and tagging these unique snakes. I also assisted with lobster research, fisheries monitoring, and responding to wildlife calls from the community.
One of my most memorable experiences was participating in the rat eradication project on Savana, an offshore cay. Working alongside Island Conservation and other partners, I helped with helicopter-based baiting operations and spent nine days camping on the island conducting wildlife surveys and monitoring activities. I later assisted with long-term monitoring, reviewing trail camera footage for signs of remaining rats. It was an incredible opportunity to contribute to a conservation effort of this scale and see firsthand the coordination, planning, and persistence required to make it happen.
Beyond the technical skills, perhaps the greatest impact of this fellowship was the confidence I developed. Each new assignment challenged me to approach unfamiliar situations with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude. My mentor, Jennifer Valiulis, and the entire DFW team created an environment where I felt welcomed, supported, and encouraged to take on new responsibilities.
Before Navigating Home, I knew I was interested in conservation but wasn't entirely sure how to enter the field. This fellowship gave me that starting point. It reinforced that I was pursuing the right career path while introducing me to people, organizations, and opportunities I might never have encountered otherwise.
As I look toward the next chapter of my career, I hope to explore new places and continue working in conservation. While that may take me beyond the Virgin Islands for a time, I now have professional connections and a foundation of experience here that I can return to.
For early-career professionals, opportunities like Navigating Home are invaluable. The program bridges the gap between education and employment, providing real-world experience within a supportive environment. For me, it was more than a year of fieldwork. It was a year of discovery, growth, and reassurance that I have a place in the conservation field, wherever that path may lead.
