Internship offers real-world experience with geographic information systems

CoSEE GIS intern, Dan Nguyen, surveying and identifying trees for the city of Kenmore database.

A partnership between the city of Kenmore and UW Bothell’s Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement brought STEM students together to work on a tree inventory project.

The tree inventory project began in 2024 with the purpose of protecting and growing trees to ensure a better quality of life for people and protecting the natural habitat and its biodiversity.

Dan Nguyen (Biology ’26) and Oliver Souliere (Data Visualization, CSSE and Data Analytics minor, ’26) interned with Kenmore wanting to expand their experience with geographical information systems.

“Both of us want to work in geographic information systems and mapping natural resources, just like this project,” Souliere said. “This internship is super involved in the technologies required to go out and do this stuff in the real world.”

Nguyen worked in salmon conversation during his senior year with Trout Unlimited. He learned how GIS can help with conservation, which is what made him interested in this internship.

In the future, both Nguyen and Souliere want to become GIS specialists, looking for more opportunities within the field.

Learn more about their internship experience in the full UW Bothell story, “Taking stock of Kenmore’s urban trees.”