Every year we have a wonderful team of conservation students, and this year is no different. Our 2026 Conservation Interns, Abigail (Abby) Dlug and Rachel Gao, are bringing with them to this work so much enthusiasm for picking up the work we’ve been building on over the past few years. 

Over the course of the year, Dlug and Gao will focus on conservation horticulture in connection with our wide network of partners, exploring the role botanic gardens can play in building a sustainable future. The two will engage in a variety of projects and research, ranging from rare plant surveys to contributing to the work of building multi-institutional conservation collections.

Rachel Gao, an Environmental Science and Policy major, got involved with our conservation team last year, joining in as an extra set of hands on a fall field outing searching for heartleaf birch (Betula cordifolia) on Mount Greylock. “As a transfer student, I came to Smith with hopes of finding wider campus engagement in local and regional conservation/restoration efforts,” she said. 

“I struggled a bit to find academic opportunities that included meaningful hands-on field work that would connect me with the local community. However, upon meeting John and learning about the Conservation Internship, I was pretty much sold. This opportunity is not only about protecting and conserving plants in a botanical lens, but building connections and collections that hold larger implications for the future of many culturally relevant, threatened, and endemic species.” 

Dlug, a senior Biological Sciences major, is graduating this spring. “While my educational journey at Smith is coming to an end after this semester, I know that this experience will make a meaningful impact in my future work, whether I end up in a garden, a lab, or doing field research,” shared Dlug. 

“During my time at Smith, I have been able to work in Capen Garden, pursue a special studies, honors project, and SURF research, all while getting to meet wonderful, intelligent, and passionate plant people at the botanic garden. This internship is an amazing way to wrap up all my experiences in one and apply everything I've learned into multiple meaningful projects.” 

We are looking forward to all that Dlug and Gao will both bring to this role as they take over for Dina Alam ’27 and Adline Dely ’26.