provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island welcomed new intern Zachary Bocker to assist Ranger Tucker Phillips this summer as Sue Tray Memorial Visitor Services Intern.
A graduate of Bryn Athyn College of The New Church in Pennsylvania, Bocker earned his degree in May in biology, with interest in conservation. He grew up in Tawas City, Mich., and comes to the refuge from Rochester Hills, Mich., where he last worked at as a family medical leave-of-absence coordinator for Sedgwick insurance services.
“I greatly appreciate being surrounded by nature, as well as the kindness of everyone I’ve met,” Bocker says of his new position. “Upon graduation from college, I assisted one of my professors conducting research on pollinators in the suburban areas of Philadelphia near the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust. I’m eager to return to the microscope and ID guide here at ‘Ding’ while assisting visitors in enjoying and appreciating the refuge any way I can.”
In his spare time, when not enjoying nature, the intern likes to read and is passionate about music. He records his own compositions, sings, and plays guitar and bass in a wide range of genres.
“I am so thankful to the late Hal Tray for making this opportunity possible for me in memory of his wife,” said Bockman. “It could not have come at a better time, and I will be sure to make the most of my time here at ‘Ding’ Darling.”
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) provides housing, living stipends, and other benefits for six to eight interns each year. Since Hurricane Ian destroyed onsite intern housing in 2022, DDWS has procured off-site housing with the intent to build on-site housing in the future.
“Our refuge interns become even more important this year with staff attrition,” said Tucker. “We know Zach will channel his incredible energy and passion to make ‘Ding’ as welcoming and enriching as possible.”
DDWS currently stewards six named internships for the 2025-2026 year and is accepting donations for future named intern funds. For information about supporting refuge internship programs, contact DDWS executive director Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991.
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