Stewardship Intern

The Friends of Old Woman Creek is offering one undergraduate internship in stewardship during summer 2025. The internship is expected to last approximately 10 weeks, from late-May – early August (start and end dates are somewhat flexible). Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is located in Huron, Ohio, on the south-central shore of Lake Erie where one of the state's few remaining examples of a natural estuary resides. Old Woman Creek NERR is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System, a network of 30 coastal reserves whose mission is to address state and regional coastal management needs through research, education, and stewardship.

The Stewardship Intern will assist staff with ongoing stewardship efforts and will be expected to develop and conduct independent research. Specific stewardship duties and field work may include phenological species monitoring, restoration projects, invasive species removal, native plantings, and coordination of volunteer events. The Stewardship Intern will work collaboratively as a member of the OWC Stewardship team, including Stewardship Coordinator, Veronica Hardy, and Research Coordinator, Dr. Steven McMurray, who will serve as onsite mentors. 

Desired qualifications include a basic knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, conservation and habitat management. Basic knowledge of how to search and critically evaluate the primary scientific literature. Experience with volunteers, community engagement and plant identification are a plus.

All applicants should have a proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, have a strong work ethic, and be detail oriented. Fieldwork at OWC can be physically demanding, and all interns should have the ability to conduct physical tasks and work outdoors in a range of weather conditions for extended periods. Boat and canoe experience will be helpful but is not required. However, the ability to swim and lift at least 35 pounds is required. The intern must also be currently enrolled in a college or university (i.e., students graduating before September 2025 are ineligible).

To apply:  Submit 1) a letter of interest, 2) current CV/resume, and 3) contact information for 3 references to veronica.hardy@dnr.ohio.gov by February 7, 2025.