Cary Institute
https://www.caryinstitute.org/
Address: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Tpke, PO Box AB, Millbrook, New York 12545
Non profit, 30+ team members
Action Areas: Ecosystem Science and Environmental Education
About: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is a non-profit ecological research institute. Cary Institute is dedicated to understanding how ecosystems work. Our scientists are global experts in the ecology of: freshwater, forests, disease, and cities. Through collaborative efforts, we apply our science to policy and management that protects the environment and improves human wellbeing. Our Educators develop and lead programming for students of all ages and educators in both formal and informal education settings.
Position Descriptions:
Ecology Education Intern: Join the Cary Institute education team to work to foster ecological literacy in our community. The Ecology Education Intern will be mentored by and work collaboratively with education staff to implement programming for K-12 students. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting field trips, schoolyard ecology programming at area schools, and other education programs. The Education Intern will develop skills and confidence in working with children in outdoor settings, learn effective pedagogy for teaching ecology with a wide range of audiences, and develop skills in program management and learn about different options for future work and study in ecology education. The Education Intern will join our rich community and network of research scientists, scientific support staff, communication and grant experts, and educators.
GIS Project: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies has a variety of GIS data layers created using ArcGIS software for their 2200-acre property. However, there is no central repository for these layers that makes them available to the entire Cary community. In addition, Cary Institute has switched from using ArcGIS to QGIS software, and integration of ArcGIS format data into QGIS is needed. The student will assist the Manager of Field Research Facilities in compiling to a central repository those existing GIS layers for the Cary Institute property. In addition, the student will assist with updating some layers, creating new layers, and creating some property maps to serve the changing needs of the Cary Institute community. This project will allow Cary Institute to better use and steward its property.
Field Research History Management: The student will assist the Manager of Field Research Facilities in reviewing past annual research reports and compiling relevant portions of them into an existing Field Research SQL database. This will provide an up-to-date one-stop historical record of on-site research which will be made available to the Cary scientific community. The student efforts will facilitate future ecological research by making the existence of historical research projects and data known to new Cary and visiting scientists. The student will also help use the updated database to create summary reports about on-site research to help guide future property-use strategic planning efforts.
Are you interested in getting involved with The Cary Institute? Visit here for your next steps.
Revive College Hill Park Coalition
Non-profit, 5-10 team members
Address:149 N Clinton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
Action Areas:Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Access to Nature
About: The mission of the Revive College Hill Park Coalition (the Coalition) is to foster healthy, outdoor spaces for all to gather, celebrate, and recreate. The Coalition works to support environmental initiatives, and Poughkeepsie’s history at the Park. A local historic landmark, College Hill Park is located in the heart of the 5th Ward of the City and is notably the largest city park and the highest point in the city, offering a beautiful 360-degree view of the local landscape. In recent year there has been an increase in reactivating the park due to it close proximity to the Walkway, it natural beauty and its rich historic and cultural importance to black history in Poughkeepsie. The Revive College Hill Park Coalition is an entirely volunteer organization made up of local experts and residents who are working to increase awareness about and advocate for the park.
Position Description:The College Hill Park Steward will assist coalition members with raising awareness and responsible stewardship of College Hill Park. These duties include participating in gardening days at the historic Lown Memorial Pollinator Garden, assisting with a current ongoing project that is focused on creating interpretive bilingual signage for the park, and assisting with communication efforts to the local community through social media and creating fliers, tabling, and other activities. The ideal intern would have an interest in nature and gardening as the position would require working outside. Graphic design experience and a comfort with translating Spanish to English for signage is desirable. The intern will also need transportation to the Park.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Fact-checking, Gardening/farming experience, Graphic design, Writing
Hours: 4hrs/week
Positions Available: 1
Are you interested in getting involved with College Hill Park? Visit here for your next steps.
Riverkeeper
Non-profit, 30+ team members
Address: 20 Secor Road Ossining, New York 10562 (remote work is possible)
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Public Health, Environmental science and advocacy
About: Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law.
Position description: Our organization has availability to accept students to work either on our Science Team or our Advocacy, Policy and Planning Team.
- On the Science Team, you may be: conducting water quality field work, analyzing water quality data, designing science communications, or developing your own research project.
- On the Advocacy, Policy and Planning Team, you may be: developing policy solutions, engaging communities, or evaluating legislation.
Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Copywriting, Fact-checking, GIS/Mapping, Research skills, Writing, Data collection/analysis
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Riverkeeper? Visit here for your next steps.
Dutchess County Transportation Council (DCTC)/County Planning
Government organization; This position would be shared between DCTC and County Planning. There are 3 staff for DCTC; the County Planning Department has about 20 staff.
Address: 85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Regional and Transportation Planning, Livability, Sustainability, Safety, Access
About: The DCTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Dutchess County. We do county-wide transportation planning and local transportation studies for municipalities. The County Planning Department provides land use and environmental planning assistance to municipalities, both at a county-wide and local level.
Position Description
- Data analysis, mapping, and assistance with planning/transportation studies.
- Potential for writing and graphic work depending on skills.
Desired Skills: Research skills, Writing, Data collection/analysis, GIS/Mapping, Graphic design, organization & attention to detail
Hours: 4hrs/week
Positions Available: 1
Vassar Preserve
https://www.vassar.edu/preserve
Non-profit, 10-15 team members
Address: 50 Vassar Farm Lane, Poughkeepsie NY
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Natural Areas Stewardship
About: The Environmental Cooperative is the outreach arm of the Preserve at Vassar. We work to connect Vassar students with Environmental efforts in the local community as well as bring more students to the Preserve for structured learning opportunities. We work closely with local schools and community groups to bring children to the Preserve and local parks for outdoor education programs. We also work to steward natural areas on campus and in conjunction with local partners.
Position Description:
The Environmental Cooperative Intern will assist with all aspects of programming and activities at the Environmental Cooperative. This includes assisting with community outreach, outdoor education programs and natural areas stewardship. They will work closely with Environmental Cooperative staff, teaching environmental science field trips to children from local schools and organizations on the Preserve and in local parks. Programs typically include hikes on the Preserve, arts and crafts, nature-themed games, and other outdoor activities. They will also help with stewardship and conservation projects on campus and in the community. These include weeding pollinator gardens, collecting seeds of native plants on the Preserve, and plant propagation. They will assist the Environmental Cooperative with local community projects such as engagement in the Fall Kill AquaBlitz, gardening at College Hill Park, and Poughkeepsie Repair Cafes.
Applicants do not need prior experience in these areas; however, we are looking for someone committed to learning to teach outdoor education programs, native plant gardening, and community engagement. The applicant will gain experience and understanding in environmental education, urban/suburban conservation, land stewardship, and communicating information to a general audience.
Job Requirements:
- Comfortable working with K-12 children and the general public (all ages) in an outdoor setting. Must be able to speak in front of groups of people.
- Have a strong interest in developing and teaching environmental education programs and outreach events.
- Have an interest in gardening and plant propagation with native species.
- Must be able to work outside in all kinds of weather.
- Have a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share this passion with others.
- Have an interest in land stewardship and conservation, such as trail maintenance and invasive species removal.
- Coursework in environmental and natural science or education is desirable.
- Able to work independently, detail-oriented.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Public speaking/presenting,
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with The Preserve? Visit here for your next steps.
The Environmental Cooperative
https://offices.vassar.edu/environmental-cooperative/
Non-profit, 5-10 team members
Address: 50 Vassar Farm Lane, Poughkeepsie NY
Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, conservation
About: The Environmental Cooperative is the outreach arm of the Preserve at Vassar. We work to connect Vassar students with Environmental efforts in the local community as well as bring more students to the Preserve for structured learning opportunities. We work closely with local schools and community groups to bring children to the Preserve and local parks for outdoor education programs. We also work to steward natural areas on campus and in conjunction with local partners.
Position Description:
The Environmental Cooperative Intern will assist with all aspects of programming and activities at the Environmental Cooperative. This includes assisting with community outreach, outdoor education programs and natural areas stewardship. They will work closely with Environmental Cooperative staff, teaching environmental science field trips to children from local schools and organizations on the Preserve and in local parks. Programs typically include hikes on the Preserve, arts and crafts, nature-themed games, and other outdoor activities. They will also help with stewardship and conservation projects on campus and in the community. These include weeding pollinator gardens, collecting seeds of native plants on the Preserve, and plant propagation. They will assist the Environmental Cooperative with local community projects such as engagement in the Fall Kill AquaBlitz, gardening at College Hill Park, and Poughkeepsie Repair Cafes.
Applicants do not need prior experience in these areas; however, we are looking for someone committed to learning to teach outdoor education programs, native plant gardening, and community engagement. The applicant will gain experience and understanding in environmental education, urban/suburban conservation, land stewardship, and communicating information to a general audience.
Job Requirements
- Comfortable working with K-12 children and the general public (all ages) in an outdoor setting. Must be able to speak in front of groups of people.
- Have a strong interest in developing and teaching environmental education programs and outreach events.
- Have an interest in gardening and plant propagation with native species.
- Must be able to work outside in all kinds of weather.
- Have a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share this passion with others.
- Have an interest in land stewardship and conservation, such as trail maintenance and invasive species removal.
- Coursework in environmental and natural science or education is desirable.
- Able to work independently, detail-oriented.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Public speaking/presenting,
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with The Environmental Cooperative? Visit here for your next steps.
Dutchess Outreach, Inc.
https://dutchessoutreach.org/who-we-are/about-dutchess-outreach/
Address: 29 N. Hamilton Street (multiple areas in the building)
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Food Security Advocacy
About: Dutchess Outreach acts as a catalyst for community revitalization and exists in Dutchess County as an advocate and provider of hunger and relief programs in order to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to fresh, healthy food, and the support they need.
Position Descriptions:
Students can self select to be involved in one or a combination of the following projects:
- Lunch Box – The Lunch Box, our community meal program, provides a hot lunch and dinner for anyone within Dutchess County who needs a delicious chef-prepared meal. The Lunch Box is open for in-person dining and to-go options are still available. LUNCH: 11:15 am- 1:00 pm, Monday-Friday, 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm, Sunday; DINNER: 5:00 pm-6:00 pm, Monday-Friday
- Children’s Closet – The Children’s Clothing Closet at Dutchess Outreach provides new and gently used clothing for children of all ages, free of charge. Each year, hundreds of infants, children and teenagers throughout the county benefit from the lightly used clothing, shoes, boots, coats, and accessories that are available without fail, thanks to our generous community of donors, at The Children’s Clothing Closet. Tuesdays from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
- Food Pantry – Our Food Pantry provides FREE groceries for the entire household. Last year alone over 134,000 pounds of food were provided, and we saw over 12,000 household visits. We also provide personal hygiene items; toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, shavers, and other necessities. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. The Pantry is closed on Wednesdays!
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach. Students should be comfortable with community engagement, empathetic, compassionate and self motivated
Additional Requirements: Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (Free)
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Dutchess Outreach? Visit here for your next steps.
Scenic Hudson
Non-profit, 30+ team members
Address: 58 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Housing Insecurity/Justice, Conservation
About: To sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come.
Position Description:
The GIS Internship will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to work within our Land Conservation Department, supervised by the GIS and Land Data Manager. The intern will work as part of this team on specific GIS related projects and analyses. The intern will have the option to participate and learn about general land trust functions, including attending team retreats and team outings.
Project may include:
- Land Use Change and Fragmentation Analysis
- Develop a StoryMap to explain and interpret analysis results
- Incorporate other data to explore land conservation implications of land use changes
- Defining Urban Biodiversity
- Identify animals in photos taken in urban open spaces
- Analyze data to understand spatial distribution of species
- How to Solar Now
- Assist migration and update of StoryMap and Web Map Applications
Intern will complete a final written or visual deliverable at the end of the program and share in an oral presentation at a team meeting in December.
Benefits:
- Gain practical experience in GIS and data analysis within a non-profit organization.
- Develop skills and knowledge that will be valuable for future career opportunities.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
- Flexible schedule to accommodate academic commitments or other obligations.
Desired Skills: Fact-checking, GIS/Mapping, Data collection/analysis
Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Scenic Hudson? Visit here for your next steps.
Nature’s Impact
Poughkeepsie/ Hudson Valley
1-5 team members
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture
About: Nature’s Impact is a youth-focused organization in Poughkeepsie that promotes environmental stewardship through horticulture and arts education. By combining hands-on gardening with creative expression, it empowers young people to connect with nature, their community, and their own voices.
Position Descriptions:
- Garden Support: Help maintain community gardens, plant, weed, water, and harvest.
- Workshop Assistance: Support youth workshops in arts or environmental education as a teaching assistant or group leader.
- Event Help: Volunteer at community events, seasonal celebrations, or clean-up days.
- Curriculum Development: Help design lesson plans or activities for youth programming in sustainability, horticulture, or the arts.
- Social Media & Marketing: Create content, manage accounts, or promote events to increase visibility.
- Community Engagement: Represent the organization at tabling events or local markets to build partnerships and awareness.
- Research: Assist with grant writing, impact assessments, or gathering data on local environmental issues.
- Graphic Design: Design flyers or educational materials
Desired Skills: Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Previous experience in this field
Additional Requirements: Background check
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Nature’s Impact? Visit here for your next steps.
The Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley – remote/hybrid
Non-profit, 1-5 team members
Address:YWCA Ulster County, 209 Clinton Ave, Kingston, NY 12401
Action Areas:Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Racial Justice, Interdisciplinary work for peace and justice
About:The mission of the Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley is to empower individuals and organizations to create and sustain ecologically-minded, just, and peaceful communities.
Position Description:We’re looking for folks who would like to be part of these projects: 1) creating Peace Education documents, curriculum, and zines; 2) help with research on schools & teachers, community groups, peace & justice networks, grants & foundations; 3) grant writing; 4) program planning; 5) promotion and marketing.
Desired Skills:Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Previous experience working with young people, Writing
Hours:4hrs/week, 8hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with the Peace Education Center? Visit here for your next steps.
Sustainable Hudson Valley – remote/hybrid
Non-profit, 5-10 team members
Address: 7 Livingston St., Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Action Areas: Education Policy and Equity, Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Racial Justice, direct climate mitigation and adaptation
About: Sustainable Hudson Valley’s mission is to speed up, scale up, jazz up and leverage progress against climate change, creating communities where people and nature thrive. We are the only regional organization devoted to on-the-ground programs and projects that concretely reduce greenhouse gas emissions, draw carbon out of the atmosphere and create economic opportunities in the process.
Position Description: Climate Solutions Data Visualization Intern
Sustainable Hudson Valley’s Data Visualization Intern will support the Executive Director in implementing the Regional Climate Action Road Map and Tool Kit, by creating maps, charts and other visualization tools that enable collaborators to make informed decisions about their common priorities. This position begins in May, 2025 and continues into early August; exact dates are negotiable based on the selected Intern’s academic schedule. The position will repeat in September through November with option for the same intern to continue in the role. Maps will focus on assets and needs in major infrastructure systems in the Hudson Valley, including:
- Moving Electrons, People and Goods – a map of energy, transportation and materials management infrastructure [Summer focus];
- Natural Climate Solutions – an asset inventory of protected lands, farms, managed forests, water bodies, and feedstocks for long-term carbon storage such as forest and quarry waste [Fall focus].
The Intern will work under the joint direction of SHV’s Executive Director and Vassar College GIS faculty/ staff, and will contribute actively to strategies for creating compelling visualizations.
Desired Skills: GIS, basic data analysis using charts and info-graphics, and graphic design using Canva. An upper-level undergraduate or graduate student is preferred for this role. The internship will include at least one major opportunity to present project work to SHV’s professional collaborators.
Are you interested in getting involved with Sustainable HV? Visit here for your next steps.
Poughkeepsie Farm Project – Farm Crew
Non-profit, 15-20 team members
Address: 51 Vassar Farm Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security
About:The mission of the Poughkeepsie Farm Project is to cultivate local leadership in sustainable farming, food access, and education, and to foster an inclusive, welcoming community for everyone. Our Vision is a community that works collaboratively to provide equitable access to nutritious food via a just and resilient food system.
Position description: The student will be in a supportive role of the Poughkeepsie Farm Project farm crew. This position includes contributing to all aspects of farm production including but not limited to harvesting, seeding, weeding, sowing, thinning crops, support with CSA customer relations and food distribution efforts, assisting with volunteers and workshare members, clean up and maintenance of all tools and spaces, and meetings with farm crew members as necessary.
Desired Skills: Bilingual Spanish-English, Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Gardening/farming experience
Hours: 4hrs/week, 8hrs/week
Positions Available: 1, 2
Are you interested in getting involved with the PFP? Visit here for your next steps.
Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) – please check back for Spring CEL
Town of Gardiner Environmental Conservation Commission – remote work
https://www.townofgardiner.org/departments/environmental-conservation-commission
Address: 2340 State Route 44/55, Gardiner, NY 12525
Action Areas: Environmental Conservation
About: We have been partnering with Vassar CEL for 2 years in creating and updating our online mapper for our Natural Resources Inventory for the Town of Gardiner. The NRI is an official town document that describes all the natural areas of the town and other related data about the landscape and town features. We have some final updates that need to be completed using the ArcGIS online mapping program from ESRI.
Position Descriptions: In conjunction with Vassar staff, students will complete updates to several mapping features and make some adjustments to specific items in the mapper. This mapper is a critical tool in assessing applications to the building department and planning board and in understanding the natural features of the town that need special attention.
Desired Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, GIS/Mapping
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with The Town of Gardiner? Visit here for your next steps.
The City of Newburgh Department of Planning and Development – remote work
https://www.cityofnewburgh-ny.gov/245/Planning-Development
Address: 123 Grand Street, Newburgh, NY 12550
About: The City of Newburgh Department of Planning and Development manages a variety of services and programs that assist the City in land use development, economic growth, and neighborhood revitalization aimed at sustainable living. The Planning and Development Department has a broad range of responsibilities including: (Brownfield Investigation and Remediation, Census and Demographics, Community Development, Disposition of In-Rem City-Owned properties, Economic Development, Environmental Assessment, Heritage, Land Use Boards management, Land Use Planning, Long Term Master Planning, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Planning)
Position Description:
The City of Newburgh Conservation Advisory Council (“CAC”) has been an awarded a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYSDEC”) Hudson River Estuary Program to complete a Natural Resources Inventory (“NRI”). The NRI will identify, describe, and map natural resources occurring within the City of Newburgh and adjacent properties that constitute the boundaries and watersheds of the City-owned Washington Lake and Brown’s Pond/Silver Stream drinking reservoirs. The City is seeking one or more students (number to be determined by CEL faculty advisor) to work with a City representative to create an NRI interactive web map by Spring of 2025. The interactive web map will complement the NRI report and allow the Planning Board, City Departments, as well as the general public, to interact with the data obtained by the NRI study more easily. An example of a finished product is available here.
The maps will be developed under the supervision of the College’s supervising consultant, Neil Curri. The student will also provide a narrative to each map that explains the context of the map and its layers. The NRI interactive web map will consist of the below maps:
- Land Use
• Zoning
• Climate Resiliency
• Physical Setting
• Water Resources
• Habitats and Wildlife
• Cultural and Historic Resources
• Comprehensive
Jonathan Midler, City Planner, will serve as the student’s point of contact and liaison between the CEL student and the City of Newburgh. Neil Curri, of Vassar College, will be advising and supervising the student related to the technical and logistical aspects.
It is anticipated this project can be conducted virtually unless otherwise advised by the CEL faculty advisor. During the course of the project, the CEL student will meet bi-weekly virtually with the City Planner as well as other City representatives whose input is needed. They will also meet with Neil Curri as needed. The student is encouraged to attend monthly CAC subcommittee meetings for the NRI.
As part of the learning experience provided by this project, at the completion of the project, the student may make a presentation to the CAC to introduce the features and functionality to potential users, the overall benefits and use of the Interactive Mapping. Ideally this would be an in-person presentation, however, this can be completed virtually if needed.
The prospective student should have experience in GIS mapping, in addition to having some experience in science-based writing. Ideal candidates should have a major related to urban planning, environmental science/studies, geography, or a related field.
Hours: 4 hrs/week or 8 hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with The City of Newburgh? Visit here for your next steps.
Woodstock, New York – Planning Board – remote work
Address: 45 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Expression, Arts, and Culture, Housing Insecurity/Justice, Public Health, Voting Rights, Legal Access
About: The Planning Board and the Complete Streets Committee use maps for a variety of internal processes and also for public information.
Position Description: Support a local trail guide transcribe paper logging roads and other trails
Desired Skills: GIS/Mapping
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with The Town of Woodstock? Visit here for your next steps.
Bedford2030 – remote/hybrid work
https://bedford2030.org/about/
Location: The Bedford 2030 office is in St. Luke’s Parish house in Katonah, in Bedford, NY. However, our team often works remotely with office hours and in-person meetings as warranted/required to advance goals. Work in Bedford will be expected for responsibilities like tabling or community outreach.
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Environmental Advocacy & GHG Reduction
About:
Bedford 2030 is a 501(c)3 that addresses the urgent issue of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources. Since 2010, we have engaged and inspired community members in Bedford and beyond to take climate action. We have set an aggressive 10-year goal to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030. Bedford 2030 creates tools and resources that empower community members to take action, and we pilot programs locally, intending to export our work to other communities far and wide.
Position Description:
In 2025, Bedford 2030’s primary focus is reducing greenhouse emissions from buildings and transportation in Bedford, with a supplementary emphasis on preserving natural resources, reducing food waste, and advocating for legislative action. We intend to accomplish this through highly engaging community outreach, including creative digital content and intimate community events to encourage local grassroots climate action.
Our intern(s) will help us achieve this by working with elected officials, town employees, utilities, local organizations, and individuals in our community; create materials for community education and outreach (including but not limited to webpages, social media posts, newsletter articles, and videos); identify incentives to drive behaviors, identify and track metrics to measure progress and success, and document a program that can be used to advise other similar communities to do the same. Our intern(s) will gain a deep understanding of energy data, how organizations track change over time, and effective strategies to engage community members around consumer choices. By the end of the internship, the intern(s) will participate in deploying program(s) that include goals, milestones, a timeline, budget, identified partners, and success metrics.
Responsibilities/Activities:
- Assist Communications and Outreach Manager and team in developing and enhancing campaign(s) related to energy efficiency, electrification, clean transportation, and natural climate solutions, including the creation of milestones, timelines, and materials for implementation
- Conceptualize, film, and edit videos surrounding our initiatives to be used on our website, emails, social media, and YouTube channel
- Research and publish blog posts to educate and provide relevant local, national, and global news that supports our initiatives
- Create outreach and promotional materials related to our initiatives, such as social media posts, email newsletters, press releases, and advertisements
- Prepare digital assets, copy, and announcements for programs
- Table at community events and promote programs to community members
- Help recruit volunteers and partners to participate in campaign efforts
Desired Skills:
Qualifications:
- Love of, appreciation for, and commitment to the environment
- Creative and proactive out-of-the-box thinker
- Understands data and enjoys data mining
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Curious and comfortable with questions and engaging people in exploratory conversation on matters that are potentially alternative and/or new
- Strong Excel, GSuite, Canva, Capcut, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube skills
- Strong communicator, both in writing and orally, bonus if familiarity with writing policy and legal explorations
- Second language fluency is a plus
Personal Skills/Attributes:
- Self-starter with a high energy level, a strong work ethic, and the proven ability to multitask and execute tasks on or ahead of deadlines
- Comfort and willingness to be on camera conducting interviews, creating educational and entertaining content, and participating in mission-related conversations
- Natural willingness and desire to learn new skills and hone expertise
- Sense of humor, optimism, a positive outlook, and an enthusiastic attitude about doing any task, large or small
- Team player and collaborator
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Bedford2030? Visit here for your next steps.
Town of Lloyd Environmental Conservation Commission – remote work
https://www.townoflloyd.com/environmental-conservation-council
Municipal Volunteer Advisory Council, 5-10 team members
Address: based out of Lloyd, NY (remote work available)
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Environmental Conservation
About: The Environmental Conservation Council (ECC) is a town-appointed council that advises the Town of Lloyd on the preservation, development and use of Lloyd’s natural and historical resources.
Position Description: The student will assist the ECC in the creation of a CSC Task Force, which will serve as a central body of leadership that promotes and supports climate mitigation and adaptation in the community. The student may assist with outreach and communications to municipal officials and residents, and help prepare materials for CSC Task Force meetings.
The student will also work with the ECC and Hudson Valley Regional Council to complete a Greenhouse Gas Inventory report for the Town of Lloyd, as well as gathering information and documentation for energy benchmarking (tracking energy use, measuring performance over time). These projects will build a baseline of information against which Lloyd can measure the success of future Climate Smart actions.
In addition, the student may also assist in gathering information and documentation related to other CSC actions, such as LED street light replacement, and other infrastructure improvements, projects, and plans the Town has completed or is in the process of completing, which may be points-earning CSC actions.
Desired Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Research skills, Writing, GIS/Mapping and Data collection/analysis desired but not required
Hours: 8hrs/week, If the interested student or students only have 4 hrs/wk to commit to the project, we’ll take it and it will make an impact.
Are you interested in getting involved with The Town of Lloyd ECC? Visit here for your next steps.
Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School (must have a access to a vehicle)
Non-profit, 5-10 team members
Address: 282 Millbrook School Road, Millbrook, NY 12545
Action Areas: Conservation and education
About:The Trevor Zoo is an AZA accredited zoo that is part of Millbrook School, an independent high school. Education is core to our mission and we work with both the students at Millbrook and our community visitors to share information about conservation, wildlife and the natural world.
Position descriptions:
Conservation research (field and data analysis): Student would assist in several onsite conservation projects which could include reviewing camera trap footage and organizing data or depending on timing assist with wetland conservation turtle projects.
- Desired Skills: GIS/Mapping, Previous experience in this field, Data collection/analysis
Animal Husbandry: CEL students would assist zoo staff in the daily husbandry care of the animals. Students would be trained on how to do some tasks independently to provide the best welfare for our animals and our visitors the best experience at the zoo. Students would need to be willing to be on their feet, able to carry 40 pounds, get dirty and be in close proximity of animals for at least 4 hours a week.
- Desired Skills: Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people, Previous experience in this field
Education Ambassador: This student will assist on developing new lesson plans and activities for visitors (general public to school groups). We also ask that students participate in several in-person events/presentations during their CEL with us.
- Desired Skills: Communications – emails, phone calls, in person outreach, Fact-checking, Gardening/farming experience, Previous experience working with young people
Hours: 4hrs/week
Positions Available: 1-3
Are you interested in getting involved with The Trevor Zoo? Visit here for your next steps.
Springside Landscape Restoration
https://springsidelandmark.org
Non-profit, volunteer run
Address: 185 Academy Street; Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Action Areas: Environmental Justice and Food Security, Public Health
About: Springside is a 20-acre designed landscape and historic site that was once the ornamental farm of Matthew Vassar, and is significant as the only surviving landscape of Andrew Jackson Downing. It is now a nature park and a national historic landmark on the Hudson River Greenway Trail, where visitors enjoy walking the wooded trails year-round. But the tree canopy has suffered significant losses from deferred maintenance, storm damage, invasive species, and pests (the wooly adelgids demolished the hemlocks that were once a prime feature). The site is currently owned and managed by Springside Landscape Restoration, a small not for profit that relies solely on donations and work by volunteers and the working board, so it is an ongoing struggle to keep up with maintenance, not to mention proactive planning.
Position Description: Through a Frances D. Fergusson Good Neighbors Partnerships Grant, Springside is undertaking a project to effectively steward this historic landscape and plan a resilient tree canopy for the future in the face of climate change. This year, we plan to create the first digital tree map of the site, under the direction of Neil Curri and historic garden designer Heather Whitefield. We seek one or more interns to assist with converting paper maps to a digital map of trees, and doing field verification/field collection to check it against current trees, stumps, and woody shrubs. This project will help Springside improve the site’s greenspace, ensure its survival and health for the future, and enable Springside to become a certified arboretum. The tree map will also better equip Springside to maintain a safe and welcoming green space for the City of Poughkeepsie.
Desired Skills: GIS/Mapping, Data collection/analysis, Some skills with GIS/mapping or knowledge of trees is helpful
Hours: 4hrs/week
Are you interested in getting involved with Springside? Visit here for your next steps.