The Intern Scoop: An Interview with Khan Tung and Keagan Moore

Blog post by Thomas Meinzen, Program Associate, with Keagan Moore and Khan Tung, Project Zero Interns

Khan Tung (left) and Keagan Moore (right) near our office at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park.

We at the Council are very lucky to have two fabulous interns this fall through the Portland General Electric (PGE) Foundation’s Project Zero program, an initiative that provides paid green job internships to young adults at local environmental organizations.

Our interns, Khan Tung and Keagan Moore, both bring unique, valuable experiences and perspectives to their work with the watershed council. Since they began their internships in August, they’ve been key helpers in nearly all our paddle and stewardship events, helped build our events database, and restored habitat at many sites across the watershed. As a fellow staff member, I’ve been inspired by Khan and Keagan’s stories and perspectives, and would like to share some of their words directly in this interview.

What first brought you to Portland? Tell us about where you are from and your experience coming here.

Khan: I was born in a very tiny village in Myanmar/Burma in Chin State. My family and I had nothing to survive, no money, no freedom and no proper education. We crossed the border of Burma to come to Malaysia to apply for the UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) on a 4x4 truck with 50 people in it. I lived in Malaysia for 3 years where I learned how to read and write. We lived there with fear and anxiety because we were living illegally and if the police caught us we would end up in jail or they might send us back to our country. However, after a long 3 years of living there, we finally got the UN card and were able to come to the U.S., where my uncle lived here in Portland, Oregon. 

Keagan: I am from North Carolina. I moved to Portland at 20 years old after an almost fatal car accident. Inspired to experience the world, I had a friend who was a tattoo artist here and I heard about the community of Portland and I was pulled.

What sparked your interest in interning for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council?

Khan: It started way back in 2017, when I got a chance to volunteer at the Council through my former supervisor Keri. When I volunteered, I saw how the Columbia Slough Watershed Council has so much impact for the environment and the city as well. I could tell how they have been working so hard for the communities in the Portland area and how they help people value nature. I was one of the people who was taught by the Council how to take care of nature and how to see nature as our future. Therefore, working for the Council and helping other people to acknowledge the beauty of nature is a dream come true. 

Keagan: I heard about this opportunity through a local non-profit that had helped me out through some of my journeys in Portland. I saw that it was environmental and I knew I had to get in. Nature is something that comforts me and that I care about deeply. There are many issues to be addressed and I figured that I would learn a thing or two throughout this internship and that I would be better educated in the environmental sector.

What do you enjoy most about working with the Council? What do you find most challenging or difficult? 

Khan: So far what I enjoyed the most was our paddle events, because when I paddle I can see the beautiful animals that live in the neighborhood and that reminds me of how lucky we are to live with them. However, with the language problem I had some hard time speaking with guests or talking with others and it is kind of challenging for me, but I think I can make it through sooner or later. 

Keagan: The Council really cares about engaging with the community and providing experiences for the community to care for the environment through events. The staff of the Council are all educated people who want to know others on a personal level, which I have not had experience with in past work experiences.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Khan: I learned from the watershed a lot and I would like to say thanks to everyone. After this internship, I hope to do research in animals or plants as my career path.

Keagan:
I thought the only way you get into any environmental work was by a degree. I have learned that by volunteering and by this internship, I can get involved with a great community and to be able to make a positive impact for the environment.

Many thanks to Keagan and Khan for all their help! They’ve been an indispensable addition to our staff this fall, and when their internships are complete, we’ll be sad to see them go.