Throughout Bexar County, where rivers and creeks feed the water system, support wildlife and plants, provide outdoor recreation and boost the region’s quality of life, graduate student Angelica Canizalez has found her calling.
Canizalez, currently pursuing her Master of Science in Water Resources Science and Technology, embarked on a transformative journey last summer as an intern at the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). She recently parlayed her internship into a full-time position as a water quality scientist.
“I'm so excited,” said Canizalez, who earned her undergraduate in biology at A&M-San Antonio. “The internship was the perfect steppingstone to this position. I’m so honored to be a part of the River Authority team and to have the opportunity to protect the area’s waterways, which are such a vital resource that is severely undervalued.”
Canizalez’s passion for water conservation stems from a childhood spent near the ocean. She explains that her mother served in the U.S. Navy, and the family always lived near the beach, including four years in Okinawa, Japan.
“A lot of my extracurricular activities like Girl Scouts or camping happened at the beach,” she said. “I was always surrounded by water, and that really sparked my passion to protect aquatic environments and help keep them clean, safe and enjoyable.”
The River Authority proved to be the ideal setting for Canizalez to pursue her passion. Managing 3,658 square miles and maintaining over 40 dams and flood control structures, SARA works to minimize runoff and enhance water quality, safeguarding the natural environment.
During her year-long internship, Canizalez rotated weekly between fieldwork with the watershed ecology team and laboratory analyses, collecting samples and helping provide a comprehensive view of water quality management.
She also worked on a project setting up trail cameras at local parks to monitor wildlife and research different species. Other projects included community information sessions about the Westside Creeks Project, a restoration effort to restore 11 miles of creekways. And, in support of Girls Inc. of San Antonio, a girl’s leadership program, she assisted at middle school events, teaching students about different kinds of water and local conservation efforts.
“Performing meaningful internships is essential to the experiential learning experience with the Water Resources Science and Technology program,” said Dr. Walter Den, program director and a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences. “The program has seen our students at both graduate and undergraduate levels parley internships into a full-time position at agencies such as San Antonio River Authority, Edwards Aquifer Authority, CPS Energy, and San Antonio Water Systems. These internships are excellent career launching pads and help the Water Resources program prepare students for the water industry workforce.”
"The internship was a perfect fit for me," said Canizalez, who is scheduled to graduate in December. "It aligned with my values of environmental stewardship, and now I can contribute full-time to a career I've always dreamed of."