Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) is proud to announce Copper Mountain College student Melanie Schlueter as the 2026 recipient of the Minerva Hamilton Hoyt Internship. Established by the Pasadena Garden Club, this prestigious internship honors Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, a visionary advocate for desert preservation whose efforts led to the establishment of Joshua Tree National Park.
The internship, managed by the Joshua Tree National Park Association, reflects the Pasadena Garden Club’s mission to “protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and actions in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.” Now in its eighth year, the internship is awarded annually to a Copper Mountain College student majoring in STEM with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Interns work alongside park employees in the Science and Resource Stewardship Division, contributing to scientific research, fieldwork, data management, and environmental stewardship.
Melanie, who earned a Bachelor of Science in International Forest Ecosystem Management from the University for Sustainable Development in Eberswalde, Germany, brings extensive experience in ecological research and conservation. Currently pursuing a Desert Studies Certificate at Copper Mountain College, she works as a Nursery Technician with the Mojave Desert Land Trust, growing native plants for restoration purposes in Joshua Tree National Park and local communities.
“My ultimate goal is to support ecosystem resiliency through applied science, fieldwork, and the development of sustainable land management strategies that align conservation goals with local needs,” Melanie said. “The Minerva Hoyt Internship will be a unique opportunity to combine my academic background, field experience, and growing knowledge about desert ecology. Conducting research in the Joshua Tree National Park, which I consider my favorite of all US national parks, would be both professionally and personally fulfilling.”
Melanie’s career has focused on fire ecology and vegetation management. She served as a Junior Specialist at the University of California, Davis Safford Lab for Vegetation and Fire Ecology, where she led field crews for the California Prescribed Fire Monitoring Program and contributed to data management and scientific reporting. She is a certified wildland firefighter and has worked on ecological projects internationally, including in South Africa, Peru, and New Zealand.
Dr. Paul Delaney, Chair of the Science and Mathematics Division and Professor of Biology at Copper Mountain College, oversees the selection process. The program not only empowers students but also ensures that Hoyt’s legacy of environmental advocacy continues to inspire future generations.
Joshua Tree National Park Association, Pasadena Garden Club, and Copper Mountain College congratulate Melanie Schlueter on this significant achievement. For more information about Copper Mountain College, visit cmccd.edu. To learn more about the Pasadena Garden Club and its initiatives, visit pasadenagardenclub.com.
