Alachua Conservation Trust’s Environmental Education Internship is a great way to become more familiar with the operations of an environmental education program, gain real working experience with underserved BIPOC elementary-age students, and develop marketable skills in science communication and outreach with the Creekside Environmenal Ed for Kids Program.

Summary

The mission of Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements in 16 counties.

Each semester (Spring, Summer, and Fall), ACT hosts an Environmental Education Internship program (https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/nonprofit-operations-internship). This internship works with the Creekside Environmental Ed for Kids Program to provide environmental education opportunities at Little Orange Creek Nature Park for Title I schools at no charge to the participating students. Activities include bird watching, bug catching, and dipnetting in Little Orange Creek. The program serves approximately 1,200 students (predominantly K-5) each year.

Expected duties include the ability to drive oneself to and from the program sites, program set up and take down, assisting in environmental education through our respective stations including invertebrate sampling and guided nature walks, and assisting in pre-and-post visits at local schools. Additional collaboration, program design, and professional development with the CrEEK Program Coordinator is available depending on the interest and availability of the student.

This internship is semester-based and requires 120 hours of work completed per semester. Interns receive a $500 stipend upon completion. Students may opt to complete this internship for course credit through their school with approval from their academic advisor and Alachua Conservation Trust.

This position requires the ability to drive to and from Little Orange Creek Nature Park (24115 SE Hawthorne Rd. in Hawthorne, FL) and occasionally, additional Alachua Conservation Trust properties. Interns should be available on Fridays as they are expected to attend our weekly science program every Friday from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Availability on Wednesday and Friday mornings (8:30 - 10:30 AM) highly preferred, but not required. Please indicate your schedule availability in your application.

Compensation Information

There is a $500 stipend upon completion of the semester. Spring interns will also have the opportunity to attend the League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) conference, along with additional networking opportunities throughout the semester.