Intern Spotlight: Simon Aceto

Simon Aceto at Rocky Mountain National Park

NPS Photo

How did you first hear about the Fish and Feathers Internship Program?

My university, California State University in Monterrey Bay, has weekly newsletters, often with internships, volunteer opportunities, and jobs posted within them. I had not checked the letter in a while, but one afternoon, I happened to look at it in my email and I saw information about the Fish and Feathers Internship Program. As I looked at the description, I thought to myself, “I could totally teach people how to fish!” I was so excited to get an email from Environment for the Americas offering me the internship this past spring.

How did you end up working at Rocky Mountain National Park?

When I first applied, the internship was for Congaree National Park in South Carolina. When I interviewed, EFTA also mentioned Niobrara National Scenic River in Nebraska, and an opportunity in Louisiana, so I did not know that Rocky Mountain National Park was an option. After I was selected, I was asked about working at Rocky Mountain National Park. Obviously, I was ecstatic at the thought of coming to one of the most famous and most visited parks in the country.

What is one thing you want people to know about Rocky Mountain National Park that most people miss?

It is so much more than just the mountains here. The alpine lakes are striking, the valleys are beautiful, the wildlife is everywhere, especially on the west side of the park where I am stationed, and not as many people find their way to this area of the park. There is so much hidden value in the park that you cannot see from the road or the main trails.

What is the #1 hike you recommend to visitors?

That has actually changed a lot. When I first got to the park, I was just exploring, trying to figure out what hikes I liked best and which ones were a little off the beaten path. Now I feel like I have definitely narrowed it down. Since I was on the west side of the park, I would recommend west side hikes. The best hike I have found is definitely the East Inlet Area Trail. It is one of the most beautiful hikes in the park. You can take it all the way around, which is 18 miles round trip (a long one!) but most people just go to Lone Pine Lake, which is 5.5 miles each way. The views are truly spectacular once you get there.

Simon Aceto showing visitors how to fish

NPS Photo

Of all the programs you've been running, which one of them is your favorite?

The Junior Ranger Angler Program would have to be the one. Getting to teach kids and people of all ages how to fly fish is very special to me. I love to fly fish, and getting to share that is incredible, especially in this amazing environment. We get to be outside, on the Colorado River. We also get a ton of people for this program. There is not a lot of waiting around. We have to get people out on the water right away. It keeps me active; it keeps them active. It is certainly one of the most engaging programs I have been a part of.

Simon Aceto tabling at an event

NPS Photo

How has this internship helped you narrow down your career path?

I am majoring in Environmental Studies, and this has helped me see there is a much wider range of career paths than I previously thought. This summer has also helped me realize I definitely want to work for the National Park Service. This is 100 percent something I want to do in the future.

Is there anything about your experience this summer that you would have done differently?

I do not think I would change anything here this summer. I have had such a great program and supportive program leads who have helped me be positive all the way through the summer. It has absolutely been such an eye-opening experience coming to this park

Outside of your main programs, what are some of your day-to-day tasks?

There is a ton of prep time needed for these programs, so that is an important piece I need to engage with day in and day out. For some of the programs, I have to memorize a 10 to15 minute talk, so that takes a lot of practice. For Junior Ranger programs, we do a new topic each week, so that is a new set of curricula and a new talk to memorize each week as well. I also work at two different visitor centers throughout the park, but I love doing that too. Talking to guests, helping them figure out where to visit and what to do is so fun and engaging for me. I especially love my time at Kawuneeche Visitor Center because it is the first one people go to when they enter the park. I can help them have a positive first impression at the park.

What is one piece of advice you have for an incoming Fish and Feathers intern?

Make sure you know how to fish! All jokes aside, make sure you are interested in the work before you come to a park because this is what you will live and breathe for the summer. I am a lifelong fisherman, so I had a lot of experience with that, but not as much with birding. I am interested in birds (my dad is a birder), so I gained knowledge about how to bird and teach others how to do so as well. Teaching kids how to fish and identifying the local birds- were all such a thrill for me. I was so happy to be here.

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