(DEADLINE HAS PASSED) Internship available! SNEC funds summer 2024 Avalonia Land Stewardship Intern position
The Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation (SNEC) has generously funded Avalonia’s first summer-long internship. This will be an opportunity for a student, enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in natural sciences, environmental studies, land conservation, or related field, to gain experience in both the theoretical and practical aspects of land stewardship. Partnering with SNEC to develop this experiential learning opportunity represents an exciting new direction for Avalonia. To view a full description of the internship including application instructions, see below.
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Position Details
Summary
Avalonia Land Conservancy is seeking a Land Stewardship Intern to join our team June – August 2024. Designed to provide a student with an introduction to a range of land conservation practices, this internship will be under the direction of the Director of Stewardship and serves to assist Avalonia Land Conservancy in the overall care and management of its preserves and conservation easements.
- Approximate dates: 11 weeks, June 3 – August 16, 2024 (may be adjusted depending upon availability)
- Part time: three (3) days per week (7.5 hours per day)
- $5,000 stipend (based on 250 hours) and a $500 fuel stipend
- Schedule flexible, to be coordinated with the position supervisor
- Occasional weekend requirements
- Combination of fieldwork (80%) and office work (20%)
Responsibilities
The intern will work independently, with the Director of Stewardship and volunteers to assist in stewarding preserves. Activities may include:
- Trail and infrastructure design and maintenance to accommodate public access/use
- Implementing land management plans
- Restoring plant and wildlife habitat; managing invasive plant species
- Helping to organize and implement outreach activities and events
- Documenting activities using Landscape land conservation software
Qualifications
Willingness to perform physical labor outdoors including with possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks, sun, heat, and inclement weather.
- Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and reliable transportation
- Ability to safely operate power equipment (i.e., weed whacker, brush mower)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong interpersonal skills; flexibility; self-motivation
- A college student, with enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in natural sciences, environmental studies, land conservation, or related field preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Office programs and ArcGIS Pro mapping is preferred
- Field experience in landscaping, horticulture, or conservation stewardship a plus
Application Details
Application Deadline: 5:00pm EST on Friday April 26, 2024
Award Notification Date: Friday May 10, 2024
Anticipated Internship Term: June 3 – August 16, 2024 (flexible start and end dates)
Application must include faculty recommendation.
Applicants must demonstrate interest or experience in Environmental Conservation.
The applicant for the internship must submit the following application materials in PDF or MS Word format:
- Avalonia Internship Application Form.
- Key Points:
- If major of study is not one of the choices that is listed, please describe in detail.
- Re: Professor’s Assessment of Performance in Major Area. May attach letter or email from professor.
- Student’s Statement of Experience and Interest: describe your activities and studies in the general area of Environmental Conservation. Include specific experiences that may relate to the specific internship.
- Applicant’s resume
- Key Points:
NOTE: Recipients must be prepared to complete a concise but comprehensive report to the SNEC Foundation at the completion of the project as well as a brief mid-project progress report. Invitations for the Foundation representatives to observe relevant project milestones are required and encouraged.
The applications should be sent first to the SNEC Foundation. Applications that meet the Foundation’s criteria will be forwarded to Avalonia by SNEC.
NOTE: Applications received after the deadline will not be considered nor will incomplete applications.
NOTE: Questions about the specifics of the internship may be directed to either Dr. Stephen L Jackson, Vice President, Programs and Operations, SNEC, (860)235-8245, sljackson@snecfoundation.org or Tobias Glaza, Director of Stewardship, Avalonia Land Conservancy, (860)389-3905, tglaza@avalonialc.org.
After review and approval by your university’s staff and faculty please submit your completed application and any supporting documents to: sljackson@snecfoundation.org.
View & Download Application
About the Organizations
Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation History
The Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation (SNEC) was legally founded in 2016, but its roots go back to the 1970s when Richard A. Grills of Ashaway, Rhode Island acquired controlling interest of the Bradford Dying Association.
Mr. Grills always had an interest in historic preservation. His primary residence in Ashaway, RI, was over 300 years old. Near collapse when he purchased it, Mr. Grills faithfully disassembled and reassembled this historic structure. He also devoted much of his spare time to restoring the many stone walls on his property, rebuilding but maintaining their “old-style” construction.
When Mr. Grills retired, he turned his energies toward environmental conservation. He worked with local environmental agencies and donated hundreds of acres of unspoiled land. These donations became the Grills Preserve in Westerly and The Grills Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, RI; both areas providing hiking access to these environmentally significant areas on the Pawcatuck River.
At Mr. Grills’ behest, a portion of his estate was used to create the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation to assist and encourage others to continue work and study in these two areas that he so loved.
Avalonia Land Conservancy Mission and History
Avalonia Land Conservancy (Avalonia) is a non-profit 501c3 regional land trust with a mission to preserve natural habitats in southeastern Connecticut by acquiring and protecting lands and communicating the value of these irreplaceable resources. Headquartered in Mystic, Connecticut, we are nationally accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and serve southeastern CT, primarily New London County, an area of 21 towns from the Connecticut River east to the Rhode Island state line. Avalonia has permanently conserved more than one hundred properties consisting of more than 5000 acres, nearly a quarter of which fall within the Town of North Stonington. These properties contain a diversity of habitat types many with high conservation value, including more than fifteen within the cross-border Wood Pawcatuck River Watershed. Our mission is funded through a combination of program revenue, grants, and philanthropic gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Partnership
The Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation has partnered with colleges to encourage experiential learning in environmental conservation by college students. Applying college students, and, in some cases, their faculty partners, will work with Avalonia as interns to assist the organization with projects and activities in Environmental Conservation and other related tasks. Avalonia will be the director of intern activities. Grant amount for the student interns and faculty depend on the actual length of the internships as determined by Avalonia but is expected to be 20-25 hours per week for eleven weeks during the summer of 2024 and will be up to $5,000. Intern housing is not included. Commuting expenses are not included but a stipend, not to exceed $500, will be granted to mitigate current increased fuel costs.
