Social Good Internships, Part I: Conservation
“ Conservation’s goals include protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services and protecting biological diversity.”
Whether personally or through the media, most young adults have been forced to witness the most frightening events this country has ever experienced. School shootings, domestic terrorism, rebellion against governmental agencies, and rapid climate changes, to name a few. These events were unheard of when their parents were younger.
Furthermore, a new global connectedness has exposed them to the tragedies of other countries, hardships not revealed to older generations. Catastrophic weather events, starvation of entire populations, genocide, trafficking of women, and animal abuse — all of these have become center stage for them.
It’s no wonder your generation has such a strong stance about issues concerning the environment, human rights, and the world at large. In fact, it’s because of the big influence you have with others your age, businesses are making efforts to support the causes you feel strongly about. They are well aware that your generation “votes with your wallet”.
But for many of you, social awareness and the support by businesses aren’t enough. You want to personally go where these problems are and get involved. And what better time to do this, than during college?
Social Good Series
This article marks the first post of a new series on internships having to do with world crises. Today’s article offers places for you to consider that focus on preservation and conservation, whether it be our waters, forests, or wild life.
These internships will allow you to actively participate in solving the many crises that are of concern to you. They need energetic, compassionate problem-solvers like you to help their causes.
These internships not only will give you college credits you need; but, more importantly, they will allow you to do your part in working toward a better environment. (Most of them are paid.)
Student Conservation Association
The goal of the Student Conservation Association is not only to help young adults get involved in conservation issues, but to help them become leaders of conservation, too. They have internships throughout the country, and for all ages. Expect to spend time outside in parks and trails, for many positions. Travel may also be involved.
Internship types:
- Vegetation Monitoring
- Ranger Assistant
- Threatened & Endangered Species
- Cultural Resources
- Media
- Campground
- Natural Resources
- Moose Project
- Youth Project
- Great Plains Refuge
And so many more!
The SCA is probably the best place to start for an internship dealing with conservation of natural parks and waters. Internships are year-round, so if you’ve missed one position, it will come around again.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_sca
American Conservation Experience
“American Conservation Experience (ACE), recruits and trains youth and volunteers in environmental restoration and land management projects on America’s National Parks, National Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and other Public Lands. Like the SCA, travel and rough conditions are involved. Also, for conservation internships you are expected to live away from home in remote locations, since this is the only way to reasonably access the areas where you’re needed.”
Internship types:
- Fire Effects Monitoring
- Interpretation & Resource
- Wildlife Refuge Invasive Species
- Trail Crew
- Colorado River
The ACE offers internships around the country, and have varying lengths.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanconservationexperience/
American Public Gardens Association
“The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. Our commitment is to advance member success by encouraging best practices, offering educational and networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of our members, programs and public gardens worldwide. We service nearly 600 member institutions, 8,000+ individuals, and over 50 corporate organizations throughout the United States and fourteen countries. “ Nationwide
Internship types:
- Horticulture
- Science Education
- Pollinator Education
- Homegrown Installation Specialist
- Native Plant
- Nature’s Sanctuary
And more
Learn more (Type “Intern” in the search field)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanpublicgardens/
Conservation Legacy
“Conservation Legacy protects, restores and enhances public and tribal lands and waters as well as natural, cultural, and historical resources and treasures that meet locally identified needs.” Internships are nationwide.
Internship types:
- Wildlife Management
- Education & Outreach
- Vegetation Management
- Youth Programming & Communication
- Condor Recovery Program
- State Parks & Trails
- Fisheries
- Hydrology
And more
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conservation_legacy
Blue Mountain Wildlife, Oregon
(Unpaid, but housing provided)
“An internship at Blue Mountain Wildlife provides the opportunity to gain hands on experience working with many wildlife species, primarily raptors, and to learn skills such as handling techniques, diets, food preparation and feeding methods and to assist an experienced wildlife rehabilitator with treatment procedures. The internship is intended to provide on-the-job training in basic wildlife rehabilitation skills.”
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlueMtnWildlife
Wolf Hollow Wildlife, Washington
(Unpaid, but housing provided)
“Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was founded in 1983, and is a non-profit organization licensed by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to carry out wildlife rehabilitation.”
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wolfhollowwrc
Montana Conservation Corps, Montana
“Our members live, learn and serve together in crews of six to eight members, in some of our country’s wildest places. They complete conservation projects in local communities, national forests, state and national parks, wildlife refuges and federally designated wilderness areas. Participants receive the experience of a lifetime through challenging projects and the rigors of camp life, coupled with education aimed at creating engaged citizens and lifelong environmental stewards.”
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtcorps/
These internship opportunities will leave you tired and muddy, yet loaded with valuable knowledge about the environment. More so, they will provide you the satisfaction of knowing you were actively involved in helping your environment.
Coming next: Social Good Internships, Part II: Hunger
About the Author: Pamela La Gioia is creator of “The Ultimate Guide Series”. She is author of The Ultimate Guide to Making Money in College, which provides students over 200 flexible companies offering jobs they can do around their schedules. @TheUltimateGui4
