Regional Conservation Intern – Redding, CT

Organization: Highstead’s Conservation Program

Job Title: Regional Conservation Intern

Location: Redding, CT

Hours and Compensation: Stipend of $5,000 for the 12-week session, Free furnished housing

Position Dates:  September 24th to December 14th, 2012.

Application Deadline: August 20th, 2012 (notified by September 3rd, 2012)

Posted On: July 16th, 2012

Organization Overview

Highstead’s Conservation Program is engaged in advancing a deeper understanding of land conservation strategies in New England. Highstead works with more than eighty organizations in the Northeast and fosters collaboration across political, geographical, and professional boundaries. Many of these groups are members of the Wildlands and Woodlands Initiative, which is coordinated by Highstead in conjunction with Harvard Forest, Harvard University.

Description

Interns will advance conservation in New England by bringing their energy, enthusiasm, and writing, researching, and/or computer mapping skills to three or more of the following initiatives:

• New England Policy Agenda: FY14 Priorities Process and Agenda Production. Provide support to a federal policy process and a New England-wide coalition intent on increasing resources for forest conservation across New England. Assist in the development of the FY14 Agenda for Conserving New England’s Forests.
• New England Regional Conservation Partnership Network Gathering and Training: Help organize, administer, and otherwise support a full-day conference at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, New Hampshire. A portion of this event will involve three new interstate landscape groups funded by the US Forest Service and the Northeast Family Forest Owner Outreach Initiative.
• Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership (FCRCP) Case Statement: Work with the Regional Conservationist and FCRCP partners to research, develop and produce a finished case statement in the form of a brochure. The case statement will encourage landowners to donate their conservation easements to help the ten communities in this region achieve their conservation vision together.
• Mass-Conn Sustainable Forest Partnership: Assist partners and with their efforts to complete an Assessment of Needs in support of a new Forest Legacy area, which will go a long way towards helping this group conserve the most valuable open spaces to protect from development in this 38-town, 2-state region.
• W&WI Communication: Work with the communications staff and the conservation staff to develop e-newsletters and website content in support of the RCP Network.
• Conservation Event Planning, Administration and Coordination: Interns may assist with events, meetings, workshops serving a variety of conservation professionals.

Qualifications

We seek current college students or recent graduates with a demonstrated interest and enthusiasm for the development and implementation of real-world strategies for the following areas: landscape ecology, land conservation, forestry, and forest policy. Candidates should have good writing, research, and organizational skills. Experience with Geographic Information Systems is a plus. Candidates must have access to a car for travel within, and in some cases outside of, Connecticut.

How to Apply