MELISSA VARELAS

PROJECT COYOTE INTERN

Melissa Varelas is originally from the mountains of Siskiyou County in Northern California, but currently residing in Elizabethtown, KY. She is completing her final year of a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Natural Resources and Conservation and a Minor in Communications at Southern New Hampshire University. Melissa has always felt a strong responsibility towards safeguarding the environment and realized after a 20-year career in the Army that she wanted to pursue her true passion of education and awareness through photography. Melissa’s goals include making a difference regarding environmental policies and sustainability of natural resources, becoming a Conservation Photographer, and participating in any way that she can to make positive impacts in local and global communities. While Melissa continues her journey in education, she is a volunteer advisor for her county’s Conservation District and works closely with agriculture and water and soil health. Learning about agriculture and assisting farmers to modify their practices has been rewarding and a huge impact on conserving water and creating healthier soil ecosystems. She hopes that her area can be an example for other farmers to emulate.

As a Project Coyote intern, Melissa is assisting with the Capture Coexistence Campaign, which features wildlife photographers and their contributions to end wildlife killing contests and to coexist with misunderstood carnivores. This internship is also giving Melissa a strong background to advocate for coexistence in her area.

When Melissa is not working or completing schoolwork, she is exploring outside with her family, traveling, and perfecting her photography.