Responsibilities
- Work with The Trustees place-based education program to advance knowledge on climate change impacts, sustainability, and ecological threats and adaptation opportunities
- Assist Stewards and Rangers as 'rangers-in-training' in property care, stewardship, and maintenance
- Assist with rare species habitat delineation, protection of shorebird habitat, and rare species population monitoring and data collection
- Assist in the intricate work, history, and documentation of plantings at Mytoi Garden
- Learn how to lead guided tours and interpret natural and cultural landscapes
- Visit The FARM Institute to learn about farm operations and educational programming
- Participate in weekly field trips to non-profit island organizations for hands-on learning
- Deliver presentations to community groups and staff informational tables at public events
- Complete a cumulative project based on the internship experience and present it to Trustees staff and/or the public
- Complete an end-of-internship evaluation
- Provide feedback for the organization in future years
- Follow all Trustees safety procedures and official rules and regulations of each property
Requirements
- High school student applicant
- Must be available for 6-week commitment (June 29 - August 7)
- Able to work approximately 20 hours per week (3 days/week)
- Must have transportation to a designated meeting site (including Chappaquiddick Island)
- Willingness to assist with hands-on tasks including education, water activities, raking, property clean-up, trail maintenance, brush clearing
- Willingness to travel by over-sand vehicles, kayak, utility vehicle, or by foot
- Must follow all Trustees safety procedures and official rules and regulations
Compensation
$16/hr
Work Arrangement
On-site — Cape Poge, Wasque Reservation, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, Menemsha Hills, The Brickyard Reservation, Mytoi Garden, FARM Institute, Edgartown, MA, West Tisbury, MA, Chilmark, MA
Team
Structure: Interns work with The Trustees place-based education program, Stewards and Rangers, and participate in field trips with partner organizations.. Reports to: Islands Education Manager
Who We Are
Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.
What You’ll Do
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.
The Role
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.
Field Trip Organizations
Additionally, interns will participate in a weekly field trip to other non-profit island organizations. Each field trip day will include hands-on learning with these partner organizations: Aquinnah Cultural Center (www.aquinnah.org): Providing cultural education and tribal engagement. BiodiversityWorks (www.biodiversityworksmv.org): Promote conservation of biodiversity through wildlife research and monitoring while providing opportunities for people to engage in hands-on nature study. Great Pond Foundation (www.greatpondfoundation.org): Leader in estuary science and restoration, using data generated by our programs for informed pond management. Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation (www.sheriffsmeadow.org): Conserve the natural, beautiful, rural landscape and character of Martha’s Vineyard for present and future generations. Island Grown Initiative (www.igimv.org): Build a regenerative and equitable food system with the Martha’s Vineyard community. Polly Hill Arboretum (www.pollyhillarboretum.org): 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 (www.mvmuseum.org): Discover, explore, and strengthen your connection to Martha’s Vineyard and its diverse heritage.
Additional Information
- 6-week duration (June 29 - August 7)
- Approximately 20 hours per week
- Work 3 days/week for 6 weeks starting week of June 29 and ending week of August 4
- Additional remote work hours in final week to complete final project
- Must have transportation to a designated meeting site (including Chappaquiddick Island)
- All ferry costs to/from Chappaquiddick properties will be covered
- Willingness to assist with hands-on tasks including education, water activities, raking, property clean-up, trail maintenance, brush clearing
- Willingness to travel by over-sand vehicles, kayak, utility vehicle, or by foot
- Assist in outreach activities such as delivering presentations and staffing informational tables
- Complete a cumulative project based on internship experience and present it to Trustees staff and/or the public
- Complete an end-of-internship evaluation
- Be available to provide feedback for the organization in future years
- Must follow all Trustees safety procedures and official rules and regulations of each property
