Discovering Opportunities: Internships on Catalina Island

Catalina Island, a haven for biodiversity and a living laboratory, offers unique internship opportunities for students and recent graduates passionate about conservation. The Catalina Island Conservancy, in collaboration with organizations like American Conservation Experience (ACE), USC, and CSULB, provides paid internships that deliver compelling, resume-building experiences. These internships allow individuals to join a dynamic team and make immediate, impactful contributions to conservation efforts. The Catalina Island Company also provides internships, emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Catalina Island: A Unique Environment for Conservation

Catalina Island is a treasure trove of biodiversity, boasting 16 unique and rare plant communities and at least 60 known species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. This makes the island an ideal location for studying applied and theoretical questions related to conservation. Preserving habitat through plant management is a major focus, especially considering that Catalina is home to nine endemic plant species and over 40 rare plant species.

Internship Opportunities with the Catalina Island Conservancy

The Catalina Island Conservancy offers a well-rounded intern experience, providing opportunities to learn about the island's natural and cultural history through interpretative talks, tours, presentations, and other development activities. Here’s a closer look at some of the internship roles available:

Summer Naturalist Internship

The Summer Naturalist position is a paid summer internship within the Conservancy’s Education Department. Summer Naturalists serve as the main point of contact between the Conservancy and the public during the summer months, engaging with hundreds of visitors each year. This role primarily involves fieldwork, connecting with visitors and educating them about Catalina Island's environment and conservation efforts. The internship aims to build upon existing skills and knowledge while providing a deeper understanding of environmental interpretation.

Ideal Candidates: Recent graduates and college students pursuing degrees in biology, environmental science, interpretation, education, or related fields. Candidates must be able to spend their workday outside.

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Wildlife Biologist Internship

The wildlife biologist internship focuses on the monitoring and management of rare and endemic wildlife species on Santa Catalina Island, with a particular emphasis on the Catalina Island Fox. Interns assist in annual fox trapping as part of the fox recovery project and may supervise technicians and other interns.

Responsibilities:* Monitoring and management of rare and endemic wildlife species.

Assisting with annual fox trapping.
Supervising technicians and interns.
Managing project budgets and reporting on project progress.

Qualifications: A strong interest in and experience with fox ecology as it applies to conservation and land management is expected.

Conservation Internships

All conservation internships with the Catalina Island Conservancy are paid, though stipends vary by position. These internships offer hands-on experience in various conservation projects, contributing to the preservation of Catalina Island's unique ecosystem.

Kelp Forest Restoration Internships

For students passionate about marine conservation, the kelp forest restoration internships offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to real-world conservation efforts. These internships are designed for high school and college students eager to protect and restore kelp forest ecosystems on Catalina Island.

Program Structure:* Spring and Fall (Remote): Interns contribute to research, outreach, and conservation projects remotely.

Summer (In-Person): Interns spend 1-2 immersive weeks on Catalina Island, earning scuba certifications, conducting underwater surveys, and participating in cleanups in the kelp forests surrounding the island.

Interns become part of a team working on projects that directly support the mission to protect and restore kelp forest ecosystems.

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Natural History Collections Internship

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) offers internship opportunities focused on natural history collections. Interns work directly with the NHMLAC’s Mammalogy and associated departments (including Ornithology, Paleontology, Anthropology), gaining real-world experience in natural history collections and learning practical collections skills.

Focus: Managing specimens and data to facilitate research that furthers conservation goals and builds biodiversity knowledge, particularly within Los Angeles County, a designated “biodiversity hotspot.”

Catalina Island Company Internships

Catalina Island Company is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity in all employment practices, including internships. The company provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and maintains a drug-free workplace.

General Requirements and Considerations

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Catalina Island Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Drug-Free Workplace: The Catalina Island Company maintains a drug-free work environment.
E-Verify: The Catalina Island Company uses E-Verify to confirm employment authorization.
Work Environment: Field conditions can be weather-dependent, with potential for hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet conditions. Hiking may involve steep, rugged terrain.
Physical Demands: Field work involves manual labor, hiking, and potential for odd hours and night surveys. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Housing and Transportation: Housing and transportation are typically NOT provided for these internships.

A Stepping Stone to a Conservation Career

Internships on Catalina Island provide invaluable experiences for those looking to pursue a career in conservation. As one former intern noted, "I had a great time working for the CIC. I learned a lot, made some good friends and professional connections, and grew as a professional and conservationist. Thank you for the wonderful experience."

These internships not only offer practical skills and knowledge but also allow interns to make a tangible impact on the conservation of a unique and important ecosystem. By participating in these programs, students and recent graduates can gain a competitive edge in the field and contribute to the preservation of Catalina Island's natural beauty for future generations.

The Broader Conservation Context

The conservation efforts on Catalina Island align with broader initiatives focused on enhancing native biodiversity, supporting climate resilience, and strengthening stewardship capacity. The Los Angeles Zoo, for example, released its Conservation Strategic Plan (CSP) to guide its conservation efforts, with an increasing focus on local, community-engaged conservation projects. These interconnected efforts highlight the importance of local conservation initiatives in achieving global conservation goals.

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