What people are saying.
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"As a Veteran and a hopeful wildlife biologist, I find that Soldiers2Scientists is an amazing organization that is giving veterans the opportunity to get experiences in the wildlife field of study. I have been fortunate enough to participate in one of their many citizen scientist projects with the national parks system. Soldiers2Scientists has offered internship opportunities as well as “expeditions” where I can work hand in hand with park rangers on some of their ongoing research projects. These are great opportunities that myself and other veterans like me can strongly benefit from and I will forever be a supporter of the Soldiers2Scientists organization."
— Jonathan “Jay” Rossell, Veteran
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“My name is Alex Schwar and I am a rising senior at James Madison University. I have been volunteering with Soldiers2Scientists for about a month and have already learned a wealth of knowledge related to citizen science and conservation. My work thus far has been focused on helping to renovate the Kestrel and Barn owl boxes at the Manassas battlefield in Virginia. I chose to volunteer with the organization because I am a native of Manassas and have always loved spending time in nature and learning about the natural world. I learned much about Kestrels from the Soldiers2Scientists team and a duo of citizen scientists from the Shenandoah region, Lance and Jill Morrow. I had the unique opportunity to spend a day with Lance and JIll tagging Kestrels and Barn Owls in the Shenandoah Valley. I was able to get my hands dirty getting into kestrel boxes and barn silos to grab and tag birds and I was also able to talk to Jill and Lance about Kestrel behavior and the conservation efforts that they have been carrying out to protect the Kestrels in Virginia. Groups like Soldiers2Scientists and people like Lance and Jill are doing a very important deed, one that is essential for the future of species such as the American Kestrel whose habitats are shrinking and are under threat from predators and pesticides infecting their prey. Being able to work as a volunteer with Soldiers2Scientists has been an absolute joy and I would recommend anyone interested in conservation, ornithology, or just nature in general to volunteer with them or with any similar organizations.”
—Alex Schwar, Male, 24, Intel Community
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"As an Army veteran and active-duty military spouse, I have always had a passion for conservation and a strong desire to learn. I am pursuing my master's in Fish and Wildlife Management online at Oregon State University. In 2024, my journey took an incredible turn when I participated in the EcoRecon trip with Soldiers2Scientists (S2S), which further fueled my passion and provided me with invaluable hands-on experience. During the EcoRecon expedition, I worked directly with biologists and experts on various species, including snakes, birds, fish, bugs, and small mammals. This immersive experience equipped me with essential practical skills and knowledge in the conservation field. While the flexibility of online schooling is fantastic, I realized I needed hands-on conservation experience. S2S was instrumental in filling that educational void. S2S has given me unwavering support, valuing my conservation efforts and recognizing my unique perspective as a veteran. This sense of belonging has been pivotal in my growth as a scientist and a cherished member of the S2S community. I have developed lifelong friendships through S2S, which I hold dear. They have provided me with networking opportunities and the flexibility to leverage my leadership skills to promote S2S's mission. Inspired by my experiences with S2S, I have shifted my focus to delve deeper into citizen science projects in the upcoming quarter. I have set future goals and plan to attend a bat workshop near our next duty location, further expanding my knowledge and contributions to conservation. Thanks to Soldiers2Scientists, I have had the opportunity to grow professionally and personally, and I look forward to continuing my journey in conservation."
—Ali Lewis, Veteran
