Conservation Apprenticeships

Westchester Land Trust’s conservation apprenticeship program is designed to provide high school graduates and college students an authentic paid experience to explore and pursue a career in conservation. We expect a ratio of 65% field-based work to 35% office work. 

The goals of the conservation apprenticeship are to: • Introduce apprentices to the nonprofit conservation sector and land trusts specifically. • Learn how a land trust operates, including understanding the fundamentals of preserve management, easement stewardship, land protection, communications, and development. • Practice communication skills, which may include professional presentations, reports, video, and social media. • Build leadership skills by supervising volunteer events on our preserves. • Develop critical thinking and project management skills through completion of a final project. 

For 2026, WLT is seeking two passionate apprentices with field or outdoor education experience. Students with experience working on crews to accomplish stewardship projects, such as Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team, or similar field-based experiences, are especially encouraged to apply. A majority of the program will focus on preserve management (i.e., invasive species management, meadow and forest restoration, visitor experience and accessibility improvements), conservation easement stewardship, and land protection under the mentorship of WLT’s stewardship and land protection team. Apprentices will also shadow staff responsible for other aspects of WLT’s work to learn about and support nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, and community engagement. This may include creating social media content, guest authoring newsletter articles, crafting outreach and fundraising content, and co-leading volunteer and educational programs. Additionally, apprentices may conduct field-based and office-based work at Sugar Hill Farm including support of WLT’s food pantry garden.