The Intern Dispatches: Owl Pellets and First Impressions from Crete
Diane Li (C’26) is part of the inaugural class of the BS in Environment & Sustainability, a degree offered by the Earth Commons Institute and the College of Arts & Sciences. Her interests include exploring urban and rural landscapes, organizing museum exhibits, and examining how changes in the environment impact organisms. Outside of Diane’s academics, she enjoys nature walks, discovering cafes, and wandering through vibrant cities.
Full of nerves and excitement, I boarded the plane, unsure of what my future held but confident it would be something thrilling. On January 1st, 2025, I began my two-day journey from Washington, DC to Crete, the largest island in Greece. The destination was driven by the Earth Commons’ initiatives in developing an international hub in Greece. By partnering with local universities, the Earth Commons is working to facilitate research, build connections, and foster interdisciplinary studies.
Me in awe staring at the magnificent landscape.
I was heading there for an internship at the Labs and Collections of the Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC). The museum, which was created by the University of Crete, not only has incredible exhibits, but also supports crucial education and research programs, the latter of which I get to work on with the vertebrates team. My work will include studying the populations of small mammals through identification of skulls in owl pellets.
Before diving into my lab work, though, I had to explore Crete, the island of plenty: plentiful mountains, olive trees, sunsets, and water as far out as the eyes can see. Embracing the beautiful city of Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Elafonissi beach, Kourtaliotiko gorge, and more. Words hardly do justice in describing the beauty of Crete’s landscape.
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It’s easy to admire mountains from afar, but standing right next to them drew out a new appreciation for their scale and grandeur. Winding through mountain roads, I was in awe of the sheer beauty and life that exists all around.
“This kind of research is ever important as our climate changes due to anthropological factors.”
I could have spent an eternity exploring the trails and towns peppered around the island, but I was on a mission: to learn and engage in meaningful research. I also set personal goals to embrace a new environment, immerse myself in a culture different from mine, and meet new people! On January 7th, I took my first steps into the lab filled to the brim with excitement and anxiety. Soon, I started dissecting owl pellets and identifying the shrew and mouse skulls that emerged. Determining which skulls are in the pellets contributes to the project’s goal of pinpointing where small mammal populations exist in the Mediterranean and how those populations change across different environmental factors. This kind of research is ever important as our climate changes due to anthropological factors.
Looking for the bearded vulture in Southern Crete with the ornithology team at NHMC.
The beginning of my internship was both exhausting and fascinating. Like the start of any new journey, it comes with highs and lows, good moments and awkward ones, too. But as a result, I noticed I’ve become more expressive in my speech to help overcome the language barrier between myself and my coworkers. Over time, I started to find my rhythm, adapting to the flow of the lab’s environment.
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So much is unknown to me, which is both intimidating and exhilarating: who knows what I will learn and how I will grow! Now two weeks in, I’m slowly and surely finding my footing, thanks to the incredible support of NHMC; the Earth Commons Greece; unexpectedly, even my landlady; along with so many others. I feel grateful for being able to pursue this research opportunity in Greece, both exploring changes in climate and how it impacts organisms and the chance to study vastly different animals and landscapes from what I normally have access to in DC.
As of now, there are many stones still left unturned in my exploration of Crete, and I can’t wait to discover what else is out there.
As I write this, basking in the warm sunlight on my balcony—the perfect place to soak in the view of the mountains, the sea, and the town below—I can’t help but eagerly anticipate the stories and travels that lie ahead. What species will I find in the pellets?! What people will I meet?! What new places will I explore?! As of now, there are many stones still left unturned in my exploration of Crete, and I can’t wait to discover what else is out there.
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For updates, follow my journey on @theEarthCommons. Thank you for joining me at the beginning of this incredible adventure in Crete!