Our internship program is part of our Youth Conservation Leadership Program, an initiative that aims to engage young adults during a time in their lives when they are making important decisions about their educational and career paths. We provide seven internship experiences each year for folks looking to build experience in one of the following areas: environmental conservation, education, and policy. 

Internships in Environmental Conservation 

These positions typically start hiring in February and begin mid-May. 

Forest Conservation Intern

This intern will work to support our Healthy Forests program. The primary responsibilities of this position include: Assist with landowner outreach, intake, and conduct forest bird habitat assessments for private landowners through the Woods, Wildlife, and Warblers program. This includes communications and scheduling site visits with landowners, interacting with landowners and collecting data during site visits, and writing follow-up reports to be provided to landowners. This position is best for a self-starter with the ability to work independently who is working towards or recently received a bachelor's or higher degree in conservation, forestry, natural resources, environmental studies or a related field.

Bird-Friendly Maple Intern

This intern will support the work of our Bird-Friendly Maple (BFM) Project. Our BFM Project works with maple syrup producers to ensure their sugarbush not only yields delicious syrup, but also ample habitat for birds. Park-like maple monocultures may appeal to our tidy aesthetic and increase sap production over the short-term, but they support relatively low numbers of birds and bird species. In contrast, biologically and structurally diverse sugarbushes offer great places for birds to forage, find cover, and raise their young. They are also likely to have better long-term sap production, fewer forest health problems, and be better able to adapt to the stresses of climate change. The primary responsibility of this internship is to conduct sugarbush inventories and habitat assessments, write reports for sugarmakers with management recommendations, draft fact sheets/blogs/news articles and other outreach materials, conduct follow-up visits with maple producers currently enrolled in BFM, attend partner meetings, and more. This position is best for an independent worker who is working towards or recently received a bachelor's or higher degree in conservation, forestry, natural resources, environmental studies or a related field.

Priority Bird Species Intern 

Interested in learning about conservation efforts for priority birds in the state of Vermont? This intern will work closely with Audubon Vermont’s Conservation Biologists to learn monitoring techniques and ways to create and enhance habitat for birds. Potential projects interns may assist with include monitoring Vermont bird species of conservation concern, bird banding, nanotagging, working with private landowners on farm and watershed restoration projects, and conducting public outreach. You will work closely on projects that support the following species: Common Tern, Golden-winged Warblers, and Wood Thrush. This position is best for someone looking to work collaboratively with Audubon professionals and is working towards or recently received a bachelor's or higher degree in conservation, natural resources, environmental studies/science, or a related field.

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Youth Conservation Leadership (Education and Conservation)

This position is typically hired in November and begins in January. 

Youth Conservation Intern 

The Youth Conservation Intern will support our Youth Conservation Leadership Program, specifically the Junior Conservation Technician Program and Audubon Vermont Alumni Network. The intern will co-develop and lead lesson plans for high school students in our JCT Program on bird conservation, plant and bird identification, habitat restoration, trail work, and other natural history topics at the Green Mountain Audubon Center. They will also plan and deliver one virtual event for our Audubon Alumni Network as well as help the Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator design an alumni survey. This internship is designed to provide a range of administrative and programmatic experiences with a focus on environmental education, conservation action, and supporting the next generation of conservation professionals. This position is best for someone looking to build skills in environmental education and conservation and is passionate about fostering the next generation of environmental professionals. 

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Education 

These positions are available semesterly and over the summer. 

Early Education Intern 

The Early Education Intern (EEI) will spend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings working with Audubon’s youngest participants. At Audubon Vermont we believe Nature can be one of the best teachers and find the balance between being a “teacher out front” and a “guide on the side”. We are looking for an intern who is interested in learning and practicing their skills as an educator in a supportive environment. We encourage folks to apply who have limited experience but are passionate about educating young children. We would be excited for an intern who is motivated to help us improve these programs through research on best practices that can be shared with our education team.

Environmental Education Intern

For those interested in environmental education, Audubon Vermont provides college students and recent graduates with a paid internship. The internship is designed to provide a range of administrative and programmatic experiences with a focus on environmental education. Work on some or all of the following programs: field trips (K-5), vacation day camp programming, and public programs. Responsibilities include: Develop and deliver programs in-line with Audubon Vermont operations; Create and maintain nature and environmental education materials; Design age-appropriate curriculum and interpretive guides; Lead programs for people from diverse backgrounds and with lived experiences different from your own. This position is best for someone with course work that focuses on conservation, environmental education, biology, natural history, or a major in education with an interest in alternative forms of education.

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Policy

This position is typically hired semesterly or as a full-academic year. 

Environmental Policy Intern

Audubon Vermont seeks candidates with a background and demonstrated interest in environmental law or policy to serve as a paid intern for the 2024-2025 school year. The person in this position will work to advance environmental policy while learning how to apply science and policy to protect birds and the places they need to thrive. The internship is designed to provide a range of administrative and programmatic experiences with a focus on conservation issues facing Vermont and the northeast. 

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Check out our job opportunities page for recent postings. If the internship you want is not listed, feel free to reach out to sarah.hooghuis@audubon.org to get on an interest list.