A senior environmental science major at Texas A&M University, Lucie Hartman is passionate about conserving our world’s natural resources and educating others on why this is so important.
Through the Chrysalis Fund support, she currently works as a part-time Environmental Educator at Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF), teaching students about the environment that surrounds them and why they should care about it. She loves reading, kayaking, and learning about the ocean, and jellyfish.Â
Learn more about Lucie and how she spends her time with Galveston Bay Foundation in the Q&A below.
What drew you to intern at Galveston Bay Foundation?
I was drawn to Galveston Bay Foundation after realizing that education is one of the most effective methods for creating change in environmental science and sustainability. Galveston Bay Foundation offers the chance to educate students about their environment and the place that they have in it, which makes all the difference in the world.
What’s the most unexpected benefit that you didn’t see coming?
The most unexpected benefit from working for GBF is the connections I've made in the field of environmental education so far! Everyone knows everyone and they are all proactive about giving each other a leg up in their respective accomplishments, which is really rewarding to see and experience. It's a small world in environmental education, but tight-knit and caring in many ways.
What is your favorite activity with the kids?
My favorite activity with the kids is seining (pulling a large vertical net through the water to catch fish). From 2nd grade to high school, most of the kids have such a great time getting hands-on with the organisms we catch and it's amazing to see kids get so excited about experiencing something new.
You know you’ve had a great day, when…
At GBF, you know you've had a great day when the kids are quiet and respectful during reflection! And when their reflections are detailed and honest about something they learned or are excited to tell their community about. It's incredibly rewarding to hear the kids talk about how they can see themselves in environmental science at the end of their field experiences because our whole goal is helping students believe that they have a place in this field.
What are you most passionate about when it comes to conservation?

I'm most passionate about the habitats we're protecting in conservation and how we can extend their biodiversity for generations to come.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to become a conservationist?
The one piece of advice I would give is that you absolutely can and probably already are a conservationist in some way. Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference for the world. My favorite quote is by Jana Stanfield who said, "I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do."
What drew you to intern at Galveston Bay Foundation?
I was drawn to Galveston Bay Foundation after realizing that education is one of the most effective methods for creating change in environmental science and sustainability. Galveston Bay Foundation offers the chance to educate students about their environment and the place that they have in it, which makes all the difference in the world.
What’s the most unexpected benefit that you didn’t see coming?
The most unexpected benefit from working for GBF is the connections I’ve made in the field of environmental education so far! Everyone knows everyone and they are all proactive about giving each other a leg up in their respective accomplishments, which is really rewarding to see and experience. It’s a small world in environmental education, but tight-knit and caring in many ways.
What is your favorite activity with the kids?
My favorite activity with the kids is seining (pulling a large vertical net through the water to catch fish). From 2nd grade to high school, most of the kids have such a great time getting hands-on with the organisms we catch and it’s amazing to see kids get so excited about experiencing something new.
You know you’ve had a great day, when…
At GBF, you know you’ve had a great day when the kids are quiet and respectful during reflection! And when their reflections are detailed and honest about something they learned or are excited to tell their community about.
It’s incredibly rewarding to hear the kids talk about how they can see themselves in environmental science at the end of their field experiences because our whole goal is helping students believe that they have a place in this field.
What are you most passionate about when it comes to conservation?
I’m most passionate about the habitats we’re protecting in conservation and how we can extend their biodiversity for generations to come.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to become a conservationist?
The one piece of advice I would give is that you absolutely can and probably already are a conservationist in some way. Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference for the world. My favorite quote is by Jana Stanfield who said, “I cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do.”
Lucie Hartman is a 2024 Chrysalis Fund Intern…
