Summer Internship Paves the Way for R3 Success

Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Rhadigan had early experiences with hunting that later waned; however, her passion for natural resources and wildlife conservation led her to pursue her chosen field of study. The opportunity to intern with the NWTF presented itself through her academic pursuits, and while she initially felt apprehensive about stepping into an unfamiliar environment, it ultimately opened up a world she never knew existed, offering a unique perspective to the role. 

"As we pursued partnering with the university to host an internship program this past summer, there was a lot of anticipation that this individual could truly work on a project that would not only be beneficial for the intern’s learning opportunities, but also to be impactful for the state of Michigan,” said Morgan Register, NWTF hunting and shooting R3 coordinator in Michigan and Rhadigan’s supervisor. “My hope would be that Mackena would come out of this summer with work that she could tangibly see the worth and value in as she moves forward into considering what career she desires to pursue and the role she can play in supporting conservation.”

During her internship, Rhadigan had the privilege of traveling Michigan, participating in a diverse array of events, and connecting with professionals in the conservation field.

"I traveled to state parks to host BB Shoot events for young campers, co-led wing-shooting classes at a local gun range, assisted with social media content and creating future programming, and interviewed countless NGOs and agencies," Rhadigan said.

Her experiences highlighted the critical role that hunting and angling play in natural resource management, both environmentally and financially.

During her time in the field, she made a significant discovery: the importance of expanding and diversifying the groups engaged with these natural resources. While the focus heavily centers on youth programming and recruitment, she pinpointed a significant hurdle: the lack of volunteers and mentors to run these vital programs. Many organizations relied on hunters for funding but lacked a dedicated R3 focus or a comprehensive programming plan.

Armed with these insights, Rhadigan and her supervisor formulated a comprehensive plan to advance R3 efforts in Michigan by:

• Increasing the number of concrete partnerships between similar NGOs; R3 staff can be made aware of nearby events hosted by other groups to provide participants a more comprehensive range of resources.
• Growing resources for young adults/adult programming rather than focusing largely on children/youth; this could be achieved through family hunts as well.
• Diversifying instructor and mentor staff across all organizations to allow individuals of all backgrounds to feel comfortable participating.
• Increasing programs with specific motives, rather than just introduction to hunting (i.e., Gourmet Gone Wild) to motivate individuals to continue attending and acquire new skills.
• Following up with individuals who enjoyed one event to come back and help mentor a future event (i.e., back-to-back veterans and youth shooting events), which improves retention.

In addition to her pivotal role in refining Michigan's R3 efforts, Rhadigan also contributed to shaping the future of NWTF's R3 initiatives. Her input and dedication paved the way for a more comprehensive approach to R3 by:

• Increasing R3 Task Force contributors and training in Michigan alongside the new state R3 coordinator.
• Beginning work on the official Michigan R3 Strategic Plan.
• Building crossover and relationships between the "Shooting Sports, Recruitment and Retention" Division and the Law Enforcement Division that houses hunter education to enable better recruitment pathways.
• Introducing new outreach classes for individuals across the state to attend (partnering with chapters to host regionally), such as tree stand safety, navigating public land access, turkey calling basics, etc.
• Shifting to multi-step Learn to Hunt events to build community, retainment and confidence through extended relationship-building efforts.
• Developing a mentorship training program or resources to provide to chapters.

Rhadigan's summer internship with the NWTF was an unmitigated success, yielding a wealth of knowledge about hunting's profound impact on the conservation world.

As she reflected on her 12-week journey, Rhadigan said, "I have learned more than I ever imagined I would about hunting and the tremendous impact it has on the conservation world."

Her dedication and innovative ideas have undoubtedly laid the groundwork for a brighter future in R3 efforts, ensuring that Michigan's natural resources continue to thrive through the engagement of diverse and enthusiastic participants.

“Mackena is detail-oriented, personable, diligent and respectful in how she carries herself in every way and truly threw herself into every project that she was given,” Register said. “The entire NWTF staff, board members and volunteers who work alongside Mackena continue to remark on how promising her future looks in the field of conservation and look forward to supporting her in those endeavors."