One Path to the Forest Service — From Brazil to Hawai'i and Beyond

Cheryl Laughlin
Pacific Southwest Region
February 23, 2024

This series shares how college students and recent graduates find their way to the Forest Service Resource Assistants Program and their ongoing work to serve the public in our national forests.

The time leading up to graduation is hectic. And one of the largest looming questions — “Where the heck am I going to land for my first job out of college?” Jennipher Himmelmann, resource assistant at the Institute of Pacific Island Forestry, is right there with you.  

Jennipher was finishing up an Environmental Science degree from the University of Hawai’i, Hilo, and in full Google search mode to find her next landing spot. She’d already moved early on after being born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil. 

“I moved to Hawai'i when I was 13, then to California for community college,” Jennipher shared. “But I missed Hawai'i and transferred to the University of Hawai'i. A lot of moving!” 

Heading into her final semester, she happened on the Forest Service Resource Assistant Program. That happy accident brought Jennipher to the Pacific Southwest Region, which covers California, Hawai'i and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. 

From Small Town Brazil to the Forests of Hawai'i 

“Campos dos Goytacazes felt like a small city growing up, but it’s grown into a booming metropolis in the last 20 years,” Jennipher said. “However, it’s close enough to mountainous regions with nature preserves and lots of waterfalls and the coast.”  

Life in Brazil offered plenty of outdoor adventures — from camping near the Três Picos State Park, to playing in the sand dunes of Atafona. Jennipher tapped into those early memories when she joined Urban and Community Forestry at the Institute of Pacific Island Forestry in June 2023.  

“The Resource Assistants Program seemed like a great opportunity to gain experience after graduating and to get involved with a leading conservation agency. My previous work experience was in the restaurant industry, so this was my first position that focused on conservation and environmental stewardship.” 

Working out of a research station, Jennipher is surrounded by exciting science initiatives. Plus, she finds herself directly involved in community forest projects. She’s worked with island partners, research studies, and even the Annual Run for the Dry Forest to help the nēnē — the state bird of Hawai'i and the world’s rarest goose. 

She’s even volunteered to restore an ancient fishpond in Kīholo. 

“We found ourselves herding a pair of invasive goats out of the fenced reserve area and away from fragile, recently planted native saplings — a crucial and entertaining assignment,” Jennipher said. 

Still Learning and Growing with the Forest Service 

Working in an Urban and Community Forestry division often means gathering information on issues such as heat stress in cities or restoration of urban forests. And Jennipher is up for the learning.  

She’s taken to the field for a geographic information system (GIS) class and learned how to use a digital receiver. The information from these receivers will link up with a navigation satellite for long-term tracking. 

And don’t underestimate the importance of some old school note-taking. 

“My note-taking role in Phase 1 of the Hawai'i National Forest Feasibility Study has felt like an impactful task. We’re exploring the possibility of a national forest on Hawai'i with regional leadership, research ecologists, and advisors across the islands.” 

Jennipher’s meticulous notes will be used as a guide for future discussions. 

Through it all, Jennipher is proud to be a part of the Forest Service process in Hawai'i.  

“An important lesson I’m learning — be flexible and open-minded to new opportunities.” 

Check out other resource assistant journeys with the Forest Service — Michelle Carr at the Pacific Southwest Research Station, Monique Rea on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Rosa-Lee Jimenez in Tribal Relations, and Farrah Masoumi on the Tahoe National Forest. 

Want to become a resource assistant? The Resource Assistants Program offers an immersive, paid internship for current students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations. Explore natural and cultural resources management with land management agencies like the U.S. Forest Service. The program includes mentor and network opportunities, a weekly stipend to help with other expenses, and eligibility for direct hire up to two years after completing the program.