Impact Report & Student Letters
USC Wrigley Institute Impact Report 2024–25
The Justin Benjamin Foundation is honored to be recognized by the USC Wrigley Institute for our support of their Summer Internship Program. This report highlights the impact of our partnership and the students we have sponsored.
The USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability is proud to recognize the Justin Benjamin Foundation for its generous support of our Summer Internship Program. Their commitment enables students to pursue hands-on internships in conservation, sustainability, and environmental science. With the Foundation’s support, USC students are able to translate classroom learning into real-world impact.
On behalf of USC Dornsife and the Wrigley Institute, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Justin Benjamin Foundation. Your support empowers students like Caylin and Natalie to pursue their passions, contribute to meaningful conservation efforts, and prepare for
careers dedicated to environmental sustainability.
Student Voices: Reflections from Summer Interns
Thanks to your support, students like Natalie McClure and Caylin Mobley gained invaluable experience in conservation and research. Their stories illustrate how fieldwork shapes the next generation of environmental leaders.
🌿Natalie McClure – Catalina Island Conservancy
“Through this native plant experience with the Catalina Island Conservancy, I’ve been able to enact something meaningful to me. I was able to do the work that research institutions fight for, and to feel a generational connection to my grandmother, who was also a conservationist.“
Natalie, a rising senior in Environmental Studies from New Mexico, spent her summer working with the Catalina Island Conservancy. She focused on native plant horticulture, ecological surveys, and conservation research, while also deepening her personal connection to her family’s conservation legacy.
Thanks to your support, students like Natalie McClure and Caylin Mobley gained invaluable experience in conservation and research. Their stories illustrate how fieldwork shapes the next generation of environmental leaders.
🐾 Caylin Mobley – Los Angeles Zoo
“I cannot thank you enough for this very generous gift and the opportunities you have provided me. This experience has been more than invaluable, and the chance to step outside of the classroom and apply what I have learned is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Caylin, a junior majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Marine Biology, completed her internship at the Los Angeles Zoo. She gained hands-on experience in conservation and species research, while also building skills in data collection and analysis through her work with USC’s Marine Biodiversity Center.