Environmental Training Intern

Environmental Training Summer Internship

The Trustees of Reservations is seeking high school applicants to participate in the Environmental Training Summer Internship through the Claire Saltonstall Education Program. This internship offers in-depth learning and leadership opportunities for high school students interested in outdoor environmental work. This Environmental Training Internship is a 6-week commitment, up to 20 hours a week (July & August). The goal of this program is to provide you with the opportunity to explore future career options in the fields of environmental science and conservation & resource management.

Through this program, you will not only work with The Trustees, but also attend field trip days to other non-profit island organizations. This rare opportunity will provide you with an in-depth understanding of non-profit environmental work on Martha's Vineyard.

As an Environmental Training Intern, you will gain practical experience in the following areas:

• Environmental
  
  Education:
  
  Interns work closely with The Trustees place-based education program to advance knowledge across the Island on climate change impacts, sustainability, and threats and adaptation opportunities for the delicate ecological systems on Martha's Vineyard.
• Stewardship Management:
  Interns work with The Trustees Stewards and Rangers as "rangers-in-training" assisting in the many systems and mechanics required to provide special care, stewardship, and maintenance to the properties.
• Shorebird Management:
  Interns experience what it is like to work in the field as an ecological scientist. They assist with rare species habitat delineation, protection of shorebird habitat from adverse impacts, and rare species population monitoring and data collection.
• Horticulture:
  Fine gardens and historic and cultural landscapes are rooms with detailed vistas purposefully decorated with unique plant forms, shapes, colors and textures. They are art in life with need of great care, attention, and understanding of the culture and history behind them. Our Environmental Interns work at The Trustees Japanese-inspired Mytoi fine garden to assist in the intricate work, history, and documentation of plantings required to make Mytoi such a beloved garden to the community.
• Public Interpretation:
  The landforms and rare environments on Martha's Vineyard are beloved by all. Interns learn alongside tour staff how to lead a guided group.
• Sustainable Agriculture:
  Interns visit The FARM Institute to learn about farm operations and educational programming within a teaching farm.

Additionally, interns will participate in a weekly field trip to other non-profit island organizations.

• Aquinnah Cultural Center:
  Providing cultural education and tribal engagement
• Biodiversity Works:
  Promote conservation of biodiversity through wildlife research and monitoring while providing opportunities for people to engage in hands-on nature study.
• Great Pond Foundation:
  Leader in estuary science and restoration, using data generated by our programs for informed pond management
• Sheriff's Meadow Foundation:
  Conserve the natural, beautiful, rural landscape and character of Martha's Vineyard for present and future generations.
• Island Grown Initiative:
  Build a regenerative and equitable food system with the Martha's Vineyard community.
• Polly Hill Arboretum:
  Perpetuate the experimental tradition in horticulture established by Polly Hill by sharing knowledge of plants and scientific procedure through educational programs, research, plant conservation, and exploration.
• Martha's Vineyard Museum:
  Discover, explore, and strengthen your connection to Martha's Vineyard and its diverse heritage.

The internship will involve work on Trustees properties on Martha's Vineyard, which include Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, Menemsha Hills/The Brickyard Reservation, Mytoi Garden, and The FARM Institute.

You will be expected to work for 3 days/week for 6 weeks starting the week of June 30 and ending the week of August 4.

Specifically, you'll:

• Attend Environmental Training Program Orientation at the Aquinnah Cultural Center.
• Work 3 days/week for 6 weeks starting the week of June 29 and ending the week of August 4 (additional remote work hours in final week to complete final project).
• Have transportation to a designated meeting site (including Chappaquiddick Island). All ferry costs to/from Chappaquiddick properties will be covered.
• Willingly assist with hands-on tasks that include education and presentation to the public, participation in water activities, raking and property clean-up, trail maintenance and brush clearing, and be willing to travel by over-sand vehicles, kayak, utility vehicle, or by foot.
• Assist in outreach activities such as delivering presentations to community groups and staffing informational tables at public events.
• Complete a cumulative project based on the internship experience and present this project to Trustees staff and/or the public.
• Complete an…