Environmental Education Internships: A Guide to Finding Your Path

Environmental education internships offer a unique opportunity to gain practical experience, develop valuable skills, and contribute to the preservation of our planet. These internships cater to a wide range of interests, from working with animals to engaging with communities and conducting research. This article provides a comprehensive overview of environmental education internships, highlighting various opportunities, application tips, and potential career paths.

Discovering Your Passion Through Internships

For individuals aged 15 to 30, or military veterans 35 years or younger, internships can be a valuable tool for exploring career options. The National Park Service, for example, collaborates with numerous organizations to provide onsite and remote internship and fellowship opportunities. These experiences allow interns to gain work experience while contributing to the preservation and protection of our nation's natural and cultural resources. USAJobs is a useful resource for finding current openings, whether you're seeking part-time work during the school year, a summer job, or a full-time career.

Immersive Experiences: Examples of Environmental Education Internships

Several organizations offer immersive environmental education internships that provide hands-on learning and exploration.

Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA)

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) offers Environmental Education Internships within its Summer Discovery Camp Program. Interns work alongside the Camp and Youth Engagement Director and Coordinator, taking on responsibilities such as educational lesson design and instruction, co-leading camp groups and field trips, discovery hikes, pond explorations, live animal programs, and nature-based crafts and games. This internship provides an immersive experience for those interested in environmental education, environmental science, outreach, marine science, and natural history. Nantucket Island, with its beaches and conservation land, provides a rich environment for exploration. The MMA's mission focuses on environmental education, ecological research, astronomy, and historic preservation.

Environmental Learning Center (ELC)

The Environmental Learning Center (ELC), a non-profit nature center in Vero Beach, FL, offers summer internships focused on environmental education and nature conservation. Located on a 64-acre campus within the Indian River Lagoon, the ELC features native plant gardens, an interactive museum, aquaria, touch tanks, and pontoon boats. These internships provide hands-on experience and opportunities to explore careers in environmental education and aquarium management.

Center for Wildlife

The Center for Wildlife's Environmental Education Internship is an unpaid opportunity for individuals studying education, science communication, nature-based learning, public outreach, and animal care. Interns work with the Education & Outreach Team, learning animal care and handling, leading educational programs, and supporting daily operations. Summer interns also play a key role in supporting summer day camps, blending ecology, wildlife science, animal care, arts, and nature-based play.

Finding the Right Internship: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding a suitable environmental education internship involves several steps:

Identify Your Interests: Consider different areas within the environmental field, such as consulting, education, compliance, sustainability, parks, water management, or agriculture.
Search Online: Use online job search engines, specifying "environmental education internship." Local contacts in your area can also be valuable resources.
Explore Specific Programs: Look into federal and state summer jobs, such as those offered by the USDA Student Intern Program and EPA Student Internships. Agencies like the US Geological Survey, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and the National Park Service also have special programs.
Check Environmental NGOs: Contact organizations like the Audubon Society, Greenpeace, and Reef Check for internship opportunities.
Consider International Internships: Explore pay-as-you-go international internships through organizations like Earthwatch and the School for Field Studies.
Network and Seek Guidance: Contact faculty supervisors and internship advisors for guidance and support.

Opportunities in North Carolina

North Carolina offers a variety of environmental education internship opportunities:

NC State Parks, Zoo, Museum of Natural Sciences, and Aquariums: These institutions offer full-time jobs and internships.
North Carolina Botanical Garden: As part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the garden offers equal opportunity employment.
American Conservation Experience (ACE): ACE provides opportunities for young adults in conservation projects across the US, with an office in Asheville, NC.
Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC): CCNC engages young people in conservation service projects.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): The Student Training & Experience Program (STEP) Initiative offers opportunities within DEQ.
Catawba Science Center: Located in Hickory, NC, the center employs educators and support staff.
Conserving Carolina: This organization leads two conservation-focused AmeriCorps programs in Western North Carolina: Project Conserve and Summer of Service.
CTNC's service programs: These programs connect youth and young adults to conservation through environmental education, disaster response, and trail building.
The Schiele Museum: Located in Gaston County, NC, the museum offers opportunities to inspire appreciation for science and the natural world.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences: The museum offers various career paths and often hires former volunteers and interns.
Museum of Life and Science: This museum provides diverse interactions and behind-the-scenes fun.
Discovery Place: This museum network engages visitors in STEM learning.
Seasonal Jobs at State Parks: Opportunities are available for park attendants, lifeguards, naturalists, and utility workers.
North Carolina Zoo: The zoo offers seasonal opportunities in guest services, education, operations, and more.
Anne Springs Close Greenway: Located in Fort Mill, SC, this organization hires for environmental education, outdoor recreation, and operations positions.

Specific Internship Examples in North Carolina

Mills River Partnership: Assist in education and outreach activities, such as Kids in the Creek aquatic education.
Air Quality Education/Outreach: Work in the Central Office (CO) to communicate information about air quality and pollution reduction.
Camp Agape and Eagle’s Nest Camp: These camps offer opportunities for facilities management and working with children in outdoor settings.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) Internship Program

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) offers internships providing hands-on experience in environmental research and public engagement. Internships are available to undergraduate and Master's students, as well as recent graduates. SERC offers both in-person and remote internships, with the majority taking place in the summer. All SERC interns receive a minimum stipend of $650 per week, and on-site dormitory housing is often available. Internship projects span environmental chemistry, marine and estuarine ecology, molecular ecology, terrestrial ecology, environmental education, participatory science, and science writing. SERC has also been a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site since 2001.

Internship Opportunities with the Environment & Sustainability Program

The Environment & Sustainability Program has connections with various organizations that offer internship opportunities:

Read also: Impact of Environmental Education

Deep Roots Cooperative Market: Interns work on special projects related to healthy food and local producers.
Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit: Internships involve developing nature trails and exploring the spirituality of place.
The Farm at New Garden: Interns regenerate ecosystems and produce food for the community.
Edible Schoolyard Greensboro: Interns assist in maintaining a teaching garden and educating children about food.
Piedmont Environmental Center: Interns work on environmental education projects for schoolchildren.
Greensboro Science Center: Interns rotate through various departments, specializing in their area of interest.
North Carolina Sierra Club Chapter: Internships are available in public education, community organizing, and research.
Piedmont Plateau Sierra Club Group: Interns work on local projects related to environmental education, conservation, and lobbying.
UNCG Office of Sustainability: Internships focus on environmental education, sustainability inventories, and promoting sustainable practices.
Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch, Greensboro Public Library: Interns work with the environmental librarian.
Piedmont Land Conservancy: Interns protect valuable land through purchases and legal protection.
Guilford County Environmental Health: Interns rotate through divisions inspecting restaurants, swimming pools, and septic systems.
Guilford Courthouse National Park: Interns work with Park Rangers on tasks like answering questions and removing invasive species.
Carolina Fibre Corporation: Interns work on recycling projects.
Commissioning WorCx: Interns help organizations upgrade their heating and cooling systems.
City of Greensboro, Water Resources Department: Interns work on maintaining the purity of Greensboro’s water supply.
Office of Research and Economic Development: Interns write about environmental research and activities at UNCG.
League of Conservation Voters: Interns assist in community outreach and political organizing for environmental issues.

Key Considerations for Internships

Federal Work Study (FWS) Eligibility: Some internships require students to be FWS eligible.
Course Credit: Register for course credit under your internship advisor's section number.
On-the-Job Supervisor: Ensure you have an on-the-job supervisor for guidance and support.
Final Projects: Discuss and approve final projects with your faculty supervisor.
Emergency Contact Information: Provide emergency contact information to your supervisor/advisor.

Final Projects and Outcomes

Final projects may include educational displays, impact statements, PowerPoints for public education, field surveys, GIS maps, and other practical outcomes.

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