Interning for Impact: Prairie Restoration, Bison, and the Future of Soil Science

Peter Ferraro was surprised the first time someone referred to him as a soil scientist. “But they’re not wrong,” he muses while leading me to the soil lab on the second floor of MSU Denver’s Science Building.

The lab is impressive — filled with shiny metal countertops, vials and beakers, and an array of electronic equipment. Ferraro shows me how soil samples are stored and explains the process of collecting and analyzing each sample to understand their specific compositions.

Ferraro is a senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he is finishing his degree in Environmental Science. He’s currently interning with the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as part of the Soil Health and Carbon Storage in Short Grass Prairie project. This internship is one of twenty-three funded thus far the NSF’s Advanced Sensing and Computation for Environmental Decision-Making (ASCEND) Engine in Colorado and Wyoming.  

Ferraro was seeking an opportunity that combined his knowledge of shortgrass prairie ecology with his passion for restoration. “I gravitated toward ecological restoration because environmental science can be pretty depressing sometimes,” he tells me. “Restoration felt like something inherently positive — like you’re contributing to fixing a problem instead of just identifying what’s wrong.”

The project, led by Dr. Sarah Schliemann, involves collecting topsoil samples from Daniels Park, located in Douglas County near Chatfield Reservoir. The park is unique in that it is one of the few remaining shortgrass prairie ecosystems near Denver. It also happens to be home to a growing herd of bison co-managed by the City of Denver and the Denver Zoo.

Scientists at the Denver Zoo see Daniels Park as a potential site for reintroducing a native dung beetle into the ecosystem. Why? “The bison herd is doing well,” Ferraro tells me, “but there’s no natural mechanism to remove the dung, so it’s piling up. We want to establish what the soil looks like now before another species is reintroduced.” The hope is that reintroducing a native beetle, the Colorado Rainbow Scarab, will help restore ecological balance by breaking down waste into fertilizer for plants.

“I love being outside — that’s why I chose this degree. Also, working with Dr. Schliemann, who has been a mentor to me, has been incredibly rewarding.”

A typical internship day might find Ferraro either in the lab or out collecting samples at Daniels Park. While he enjoys both, he has a particular fondness for fieldwork. “I love being outside — that’s why I chose this degree. Also, working with Dr. Schliemann, who has been a mentor to me, has been incredibly rewarding.” Lab days at MSU Denver are more low-key and involve using a variety of methods to determine the soil’s carbon content, nutrient levels, texture, and pH.

When asked if the internship has met his expectations and prepared him with job-ready skills, Ferraro doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely. I’ve gained real-world experience working with professionals — both in the field and through professional communication. I’ve also gained practical skills that will help me in future jobs.” He pauses before adding, “Even though the internship work is challenging, it doesn’t feel like work because it’s what I love to do.”

"Peter's experience exemplifies the importance of Work-Based Learning programs,” notes the NSF ASCEND Engine’s Workforce Development Program Manager Brian Johnston, “MSU Denver's intern program continues to excel, and has been a foundational partner in connecting students with innovative and cutting-edge opportunities to enhance their skills in advanced sensing, computing, or environmental-decision making technologies.”

To learn more about internship opportunities supported by the NSF ASCEND Engine, visit: Launch a Climate Tech future.

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