Summer Internship with Future Conservationists

Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) is proud to partner with Francis Marion University’s (FMU) Environmental Science summer internship program. We welcomed Savannah Watts and Dawson Francis to our team June 2, 2025 for the 6-week intern period. This paid internship is funded by FMU’s PEAK Grant program (Professional Experience and Knowledge) that focuses on opportunities to develop student’s professional knowledge and career-readiness skills.

Savannah Watts is originally from Georgetown, South Carolina, and graduated from Carvers Bay High School. Savannah is currently a rising junior at Francis Marion University, where she is majoring in Biology. She hopes to pursue a career as a wildlife biologist, with a focus on conservation and animal behavior. In her free time, Savannah enjoys photography and reading, and she’s always eager to learn more about the natural world!

Dawson Francis is a rising senior at Francis Marion and grew up in Darlington. Dawson attended the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics before enrolling at Wofford College. After a couple of years at Wofford, he decided to come back home and transferred to Francis Marion for his junior and senior years. Dawson is an environmental science major and cites his years in Scouts as a major influence on this decision. When not busy with school he enjoys being outdoors, fishing, playing the guitar, and spending time with his family.

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