Meet Steven Awve, Trout Lake Station’s 2025 Summer SciComm Intern

A person snorkleling underwater.

by Steven Awve – Growing up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, my family made yearly trips to the Northwoods, a tradition that’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad and brother are avid fishermen, my mom and other brother prefer long bike rides, and I’ve always enjoyed a little of everything.

A young man in a yellow jacket smiling.
Steven Awve. Photo: Bridger Wilson

In recent years, though, I’ve found myself especially drawn to birding, hiking, and wildlife photography. Naturally, Boulder Junction—where forests, lakes, and wildlife are abundant—felt like the perfect fit. We even bought a small cabin just outside of downtown Boulder last year. And since I clearly can’t get enough of the place, I’ve decided to spend my summer working nearby at Trout Lake Station.

It’s kind of funny how you’re expected to know what you want to do with your life right out of high school. I remember choosing a major during my senior year almost on a whim—”I like plants and animals,” I thought. “Maybe Wildlife Ecology at UW–Madison will be a good fit.”

Two years later, I’ve added a second major in Life Science Communication, studied in some of the most incredible ecosystems on Earth, and now I’m spending the summer at Trout Lake in Wisconsin’s Northwoods as the Science Communication Intern. Looking back, I have to give my high school self some credit. It turns out that lucky guess has led me to some great places.

Up to this point, most of my ecological background has focused on terrestrial ecosystems.  I can identify nearly every terrestrial vertebrate species in Wisconsin – from mammals and birds to amphibians and reptiles. Over the past year I’ve been doing research on lichens in Madison, cataloging all of the species that exist in the city.  I’ve even conducted amphibian research in the Amazon Rainforest. But I have next to no background in limnology research. So when it comes to the lakes of the Northwoods, I’ve got lots to learn. That’s what makes Trout Lake Station so exciting—there’s a huge diversity of research happening here, and I’m eager to learn from the experts and share those stories with the community.

A person holding a snake in their hand.
Steven holds a Brazilian Rainbow Boa in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. Photo: Joe Meisel

This summer, I’ll be working alongside researchers to document their work, capture the beauty of the surrounding lakes and forests, and share behind-the-scenes moments through blog posts, social media, photography, and video. One of my biggest hopes is to connect the community to the research being done at Trout Lake Station. It’s disheartening to know that some people remain skeptical of research and wildlife management, or of state agencies more broadly. And yet, I see so much shared passion for the Northwoods, fishing, and clean lakes in both the locals and the researchers (most of whom are locals themselves!).

I truly believe that if more people were aware of the questions being asked and the problems being addressed here, it could serve as a unifying force that the community as a whole could rally behind. That’s where science communication comes in. I don’t think science should be locked away in papers or labs—it should be something you can feel, hear, and see in everyday life. The joy of curiosity, the beauty of northern Wisconsin, and the important work happening here is what I hope to share with you this summer.

We’ll be updating our Instagram and Facebook pages throughout the summer as we share photos, videos, and stories that highlight the research happening here and the natural beauty that surrounds us. Whether you’re a curious local, a traveling tourist, an avid angler, a fellow researcher, or just someone who loves the Northwoods, I hope these updates help you feel more connected to this special place.

There’s so much happening beneath the surface, both in the lakes and in the labs, and I’m excited to help bring it all to light.