Nina Cardenas

Newark, NJ 07105 | (908) 768-1467 | ninacardenas.eco@gmail.com

EDUCATION
Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources May 2024
➢ Major GPA: 3.7 - Dean’s List 2022-2023
➢ The Wildlife Society Chapter Vice-President and Secretary

RELEVANT COURSEWORK AND TRAINING

➢ Wildlife ecology and conservation ➢ Organic chemistry
➢ Natural resource management ➢ Lab safety/biosafety training
➢ Analytical methods ➢ Animal use and care training
➢ Controversies in sustainability ➢ Defensive driving certificate

CAREER EXPERIENCE
Westmoreland Sanctuary Mount Kisco, NY
Conservation Naturalist/Environmental Educator March 2023 - Present
➢ Researched and developed a plan to propagate American Elm trees in the Sanctuary to prevent it
from disappearing due to Dutch Elm disease.
➢ Monitored plant inventory along conservation islands, researching and evaluating the required
growing conditions and benefits of each plant species.
➢ Guided college interns on internship activities when needed and helped them with projects related
to wildlife conservation and plant management.
➢ Led summer camps related to nature conservation and survival skills to children from ages 7-14,
teaching orienteering courses, shelter building, outdoor cooking.
➢ Contributed with general management assignments for fundraising, grant submission, buying
needed supplies and overseeing animal care.
Conservation Intern March 2022 - August 2022
➢ Built bird nest boxes, Wood and Box Turtle hibernacula and nesting areas; and worked in native plant
propagation.
➢ Taught school students and adult visitors about pond ecology and animals around the Sanctuary to
incentivize nature awareness and protection.

RU Ecological Preserve Piscataway, NJ

Volunteer October 2022 - Present
➢ Collected and placed camera traps at different locations to identify wildlife in the area.
➢ Uploaded invasive plant species pentagon locations using the Field Maps app.

The Raptor Trust Millington, NJ

Volunteer May 2022 – July 2022
➢ Provided fresh food and water to rescued ducks, geese and pigeons and cleaned their cages twice a
day to prepare them to release them to the wild.
➢ Followed directions on medicine administration for birds and followed premises’ protocols to
prevent avian influenza from spreading.

SKILLS
➢ ArcGIS software proficiency ➢ Fluent English and Spanish speaker
➢ Tree identification ➢ Customer service
➢ Bird banding experience ➢ Microsoft Office proficiency