Portia Hardy ’22

Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Portia Hardy (‘22) worked as a summer intern at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in its Adult Education & Interpretive Exhibits program. She taught visitors about butterflies and host plants as they walked through the Native Butterfly and Moth House, interpreting the garden to guests through “a learning lens” of natural science. Portia describes her internship as having been an invaluable experience in “informal public education within a cultural institution.” She credits UMF with helping her to connect with the Botanical Gardens. Portia was particularly appreciative that her academic advisor, Prof. Julia Daly “visited me at the garden campus to check in on my activities” and helped Portia connect the internship experience to her major in Environmental Science.