Meet Dan Kubota, 2026 Stewardship Intern

The Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma) Stewardship Intern Program is pleased to welcome Dan Kubota as a 2026 Stewardship Intern. She is a Stanford junior studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Earth Systems' Sustainability track. Dan will work with the Jasper Ridge staff on a variety of projects that will involve the Oakmead Herbarium, Jasper Ridge educational interpretive natural history guides and archives, stewardship practices related to our invasive plant management plant,  and wildfire resilience.  

The Stewardship Intern Program is an exciting initiative that empowers aspiring students interested in conservation to gain hands-on field experience. Supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, whose mission is to support innovative people working in field-based science, this immersive program provides students with real-world experience in active environmental stewardship while developing skills in field ecology and natural history. 

Dan will play a key role in working in all of the pillars of Jasper Ridge, research, education and stewardship. Her work will help ensure the preserve continues to be a valuable space for research and educational activities for the Stanford and Bay Area community!

Get to know Dan in her own words: 

"Hi! I'm Dan, a junior studying Mechanical Engineering (as soon as my major redeclaration gets approved) and working on a minor in Earth System's Sustainability track. Having developed an interest in soils after hearing Dr. Fendorf's lecture in EARTHSYS 10 my freshman fall and being curious about fire's impact on the California landscape as a lifelong resident, I combined those interests working in the Fendorf lab with Frida Garcia-Ledezma and Dr. Ali Namayandeh this past summer, studying resuspended particulate matter from burned soil and debris post LA-fires. Outside academics, I enjoy making music with Stanford Taiko and sharing late-night Trader-Joe's snacks with friends. 

Since coming to college, I haven't been able to be outdoors as much as I would have liked, whether that would be with lab based classes or volunteering; working at Jasper Ridge/'Ootchamin 'Ooyakama over the summer would allow me to achieve both while learning more about the land that surrounds my home and exploring what a career in conservation work could look like. I'm really excited to work with my fellow intern, the professional staff, and the Muwekma Ohlone and learn from their experiences." 

We're excited to see the impact Dan will make this summer as she brings her passion for fire ecology, soil science, and California land management to Jasper Ridge!

Click here to learn more about the Jasper Ridge Stewardship Intern Program