Environmental Education Internships
Wilderness Survival School with Adventure Out
Agroecology Education Internship
Listing also found in Agroecology and Plants tab
Contact: programs@pieranch.org or sharif@pieranch.org
Pie Ranch is an educational farm that works to make our local and regional food systems more just through youth education and empowerment, creating farmer pathways, indigenous land stewardship, regional partnerships, and land conservation and ecological restoration. On our 27 acre HomePie site, we have a certified organic farm and outdoor kitchen that serve as a dynamic classroom for creating joyful connection to food and nature in an agricultural ecosystem. We regularly host school groups and other folks throughout the year for field trips and spring breaks.
We also have our Regenerator program on the neighboring 418-acre Cascade Ranch site, which supports new farm business ownership specifically for women, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, People of Color, including the LGBTQIA community and others who have been historically marginalized from equity-building pathways in agriculture. This site also partners with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and local educational institutions and organizations in developing a climate resilient farm that weaves together traditional ecological knowledge with regenerative agriculture practices including row crops, cover cropping, riparian restoration, and integrated livestock management.
Due to the multi-faceted nature of our work, we are able to create a meaningful and enriching internship catered to your specific interests and passions around food justice, culinary and environmental education, farmer pathways, and regenerative agriculture within our various program areas.
Please reach out to programs@pieranch.org for more info, or check out our website http://www.pieranch.org to learn more.
Listing also found in the Agroecology and Plants tab.
Contact: Leah Stern, leahstern512@gmail.com
Lexington Elementary School sits at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, on the banks of Lexington Reservoir, and about 30 minutes from the UCSC campus. Our Life Lab program engages students in ecological and environmental learning through activities in our edible garden and natural areas. We have 16 raised garden beds, 8x4 feet each, as well as about ¼ acre native garden, a row of fruit trees, and some natural areas under oak and redwood trees. The goals of our garden food production include educating children on where food comes from, how to grow food ecologically, understanding the soil food web, nutrition education, environmental literacy, and providing some organically grown produce for our school lunches.
The intern will be responsible for assisting the Life Lab teacher in developing seasonally appropriate plans for garden planting, irrigation, integrated pest management, nursery management, and fertility management. While the tasks will vary by season, they will often encompass several of these subject areas in a single quarter. Because our school is small (only 150 children), we have a lot of flexibility to expand and change our program to meet our current, and any new goals. Suggestions and ideas from interns are welcome and encouraged.
Weekly tasks may include, but are not limited to: seeding, planting, weeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, grafting fruit trees, irrigation, tending compost and vermicompost, preparing new planting areas, pruning, and greenhouse and tool organization. Though engagement in teaching students is not required, we welcome interns who are interested in some time assisting with our Life Lab classes. Interns who are interested in helping with students will have the opportunity to learn best practices in classroom and lesson management in an outdoor setting.
Qualified applicants will:
- Be comfortable working around or with children aged 3-11
- Have experience with ecological gardening methods and best practices
- Be comfortable working in most weather conditions
- Have transportation to the school, located at 19700 Old Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos CA
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Be comfortable working with Google docs and sheets, or be willing to learn
- Be available to work on weekdays (schedule is flexible, but no weekend availability)
Magazine Internship
Listing also found in Public Policy tab.
Contact: Cathy Chesson, cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com
Adventure Sports Journal is California's original outdoor sports magazine, and it was founded right here in Santa Cruz. We cover all human powered sports and believe that getting people to enjoy nature through outdoor sports is a great way to create future environmental stewards. We are always in the need for help with data entry, web updates, working ASJ events, social media posts and video blogs are also needed. There are also opportunities to get published on our website and possibly in the pages of our magazine. Check out their website!
Beauregard Vineyards
Listing also found in the Agroecology and Plants tab.
Contact: Ryan Beauregard, ryan@beauregardvineyards.com
Beauregard Vineyards is offering interns a chance to work on one of the regions premier vineyards: Bald Mountain Vineyard which is located in Bonny Doon very close to UCSC. For winter projects, we are now pruning the grape vines. Interns will assist with this project and will learn the basics of pruning and grape vine disease maintenance. Projects will be: assistance with pruning, gopher management, owl box monitoring. We are also amidst a partial repant of the vineyard so interns will assist in removal of old vine trellising. This job requires that the interns are able bodied because this is a physical farming job. There will be no work when it is raining. At Beauregard Vineyards, wine is made in the vineyard. We look forward to sharing our passion for the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Environmental Sustainability Intern
Contact: Krystal Zamora and Will Klair, (707) 759.5297, kzamora@basecampmail.com
Basecamp Hospitality is a privately owned, award-winning park, resort, retail and event management company with operations in California, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Since 1975, Basecamp Hospitality has been providing our superior level of service and commitment as concessioners to our government partners in local, state and national agencies. At Big Basin State Park, our intern will help us achieve our Zero Waste Initiative for the Big Basin Café by creating a 5-year Waste Management Plan. Our intern will also have the opportunity to share their passion for the great outdoors with our guests through environmental education and the development of interpretive materials. The ideal intern will have particular interests in Corporate Social Responsibility models and sustainable supply chain management.
Education Internship
Contact: Jessica Correa email: jess@birdschoolproject.org
Did you ever have an awesome outdoor experience that got you hooked on nature? Are you an excited naturalist willing to share your expertise with the next generation? Have you ever thought of getting into science education? The Bird School Project is an exciting outdoor education program focused on birdwatching in schoolyards throughout Santa Cruz County. We help students investigate the wild birds that live right outside their classroom door using binoculars and field guides. Birds are everywhere and we believe that you don't have to travel far to develop a formative connection with nature! Interning with the Bird School Project is a great opportunity to get to experience teaching environmental education. Currently, we are seeking passionate educators who can help facilitate eye-openingexperiences for middle school students during the following times: Monday-Friday Time: Anytime between 8am-4pm.
Calabasas Internship
Listing also found in the Agroecology and Plants tab
Contact: Flora Lu, floralu@ucsc.edu & Michelle Hernandez, mherna81@ucsc.edu
Only offered in Fall and Spring
This internship affiliated with College 9/10 seeks UCSC students who want the opportunity to work with youth, facilitate agroecological knowledge acquisition, promote locally grown, healthy food, and raise awareness of social and environmental justice issues. Interns will travel to Calabasas Elementary once or twice a week (transportation provided or gas money reimbursed) to undertake the after-school program, helping to design and implement environmental, garden-based curricula with children ranging from first graders to sixth graders. Interns will also assist with the upkeep of the Discovery Garden: weeding, planting, watering, pruning, etc.
California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS.
Listing also found in the Water and Marine-Related tab.
Contact: CMSF@CaliforniaMSF.org
The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation is excited to announce openings for internship positions. We’re seeking applicants with an interest in ocean education and outreach with an emphasis on generating greater awareness of and support for California’s marine protected areas. Ideal candidates will be self;motivated and will work closely, but independently, with Sanctuary Foundation staff on one or more projects. Applications will be considered from currently enrolled undergraduate students as well as
students who have recently graduated from an undergraduate program. While this position is unpaid, our Foundation maintains close collaborations with several organizations throughout California who often seek highly qualified job applicants. Upon successful completion of this program, we will be glad to point you towards potential employers and write letters of recommendatioon your behalf.Contact: Kelsea Jacobsen, kelseajacobsen@compostfoundation.org
The Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) works to enhance the composting industry by supporting scientific research, increasing awareness, and educating practitioners and the public to advance environmentally and economically sustainable organics recycling. Key to our mission are education programs, which provide comprehensive information to professionals across multiple industries about the value of composting as a sustainable practice. Our flagship program is the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC), a 5-day program covering all aspects of composting as a business, including best management practices for environmentally-sound composting, compost applications, safety, marketing, and much more. We also present webinars on an array of topics with a heavy focus on research, covering topics such as testing composts for persistent herbicide contamination and the benefits of compost application in cultivating drought-resistant soils. The organization is in a phase of growth and seeking to expand our programs.Website: compostfoundation.org
This internship will be FULLY REMOTE with flexible hours, and supervised by a UCSC graduate with 4 quarters of ENVS internship experience. Based on the intern's goals, abilities, and hours needed, responsibilities may include some or all of the following, and students are welcome to suggest additional ways their skills might further our mission: - Review of historic documents and compilation of comprehensive databases (spreadsheets) that aid in coordinating the COTC. The intern is encouraged to brainstorm with the Project Manager on opportunities to improve the program.
- Administrative and logistics support for education programs including the COTC and webinars
- Outreach to state regulatory agencies to aid in developing education programs that meet state training requirements for compost facility staff- Participation in CREF committee meetings, including our Education Committee and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access Committees, as the intern's schedule allows
This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in environmental non-profit work to understand how these organizations function. Throughout the duration of the internship, the student will gain an understanding of the biological processes that drive decomposition and the environmental benefits of composting for sustainable waste management, soil regeneration, and carbon sequestration.
Prerequisites:
2-Unit and 5-Unit interns welcomed.
Success in this internship will require basic knowledge of Google Suite programs (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and email. Due to the remote nature of this internship, the student will also need to be self-motivated and proactive about asking questions and clarifying their understanding when taking on assignments.
Additional background knowledge that is helpful, but not necessary, include composting experience and basic understanding of sustainable agricultural and climate change mitigation.
Prior completion of courses including ENVS 80B, ENVS 130A/B/C, ENVS 133, ENVS 161A, ENVS 169, and ENVS 170 would all serve as excellent primers.
Sustainable Transportation
Contact Person: Erin Devitt, volunteer@ecoact.org, 513-833-1454
Ecology Action is a Santa Cruz based non-profit who has been a leader for over 40 years in empowering individuals, businesses, and communities to take actions today that achieve environmental and economic sustainability. Ecology Action’s Bike Programs team runs numerous well-known community programs including Bike To Work, which is one of Santa Cruz County’s largest environmental events with over 10,000 participants. We are currently looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our fun and dynamic team!
We are looking for dedicated individuals who are interested in assisting with event coordination and community outreach. We have a number of opportunities and ways for you to plug-in to our programs depending on your interests (youth focus, community outreach focus, research, etc). Check out our website to learn more about the programs that we provide. If you have an interest in working on programs that have a positive impact in the community and provide solutions to some of the more pressing environmental issues of our time, including climate change, than Ecology Action’s Bike Programs Internship is the right fit for you.
Events Support Intern
Contact Person: Erin Devitt, volunteer@ecoact.org, 513-833-1454
Ecology Action is an award-winning non-profit organization that provides innovative solutions to climate and natural resource challenges of cities, governments, and utilities across California. We know that when individuals and businesses make simple changes in their behavior, they drive large scale changes that benefit people and the planet. This translates into reduced carbon emissions, stronger businesses, healthier communities and a sustainable future for all. Together, we help people, businesses and communities act now.
Ecology Action’s Community Programs team is looking for an Events Support Intern to work closely with the Events Specialist to help execute events.
Bike and Walk Smart Internship
Contact: Tawn Kennedy, tawn.kennedy@ecoact.org (831) 428-5109
Bike Smart! Youth Bicycle Safety Program conducts bicycle safety trainings for Santa Cruz and Monterey County youth. We offer classroom Presentations, hands on bicycle skills Obstacle Courses (aka "Rodeos") and Community Rides (on street training), as well as bicycle safety Education Outreach Booths. Our programs are carried out at schools, community centers and events. Bike Smart! is a Safe Routes to School program of Ecology Action, a local non-profit dedicated to promoting and providing sustainable transportation services to Santa Cruz County residents and businesses. Its other programs include: Bike to Work/School, Bike Week, Active4Me, Walk Smart and Zero Interest Bike Loan Program.
Check out the website.
Education for Sustainable Living Program
Listing also found in Campus tabContact: ESLP Team, eslp@ucsc.eduThe Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) is a student-led organization committed to empowering students to take action in the climate crisis. ESLP works to foster co-intentional learning between students, while creating a culture where students can take action. We are seeking volunteers to join us in creating environmental education opportunities for fellow students on campus.No internships are being offered at this time. Anyone interested in volunteering with ESLP is welcome and encouraged to reach out to eslp@ucsc.edu.
Environmental Innovations
We are hoping to get an intern this Fall quarter to support our outreach efforts. We ask for a 3 quarter commitment, the first quarter is a trial period with a $500 stipend and then if it works well we move them to hourly part time employee status. Key responsibilities include organizing meetings and other events, providing sustainability technical assistance to businesses, customer service and sales within the business community, data analysis and reporting, and social media and marketing. Spanish speaking is a strong consideration for this position. If you are, looking for more information, then please look here or here!
Listing also found in Public Policy tab and Summer tabs.
Contact: Andrew Carman info@environteers.org Cell: (831-332-0523)
Are you excited about promoting environmental awareness and action? Are you eager to learn how to inspire participation in environmental protection? Environteers.org needs interns to connect the UCSC community to opportunities to engage in environmental activities. Our free resource, the Environteers Weekly Update, empowers participation by publicizing the environmental education and volunteer activities of all Santa Cruz.
County organizations, as well as state and national groups. Interns are needed with strong interests in leveraging social and news media on campus and identifying other avenues for inviting students, faculty, and staff to utilize our resources.The Environteers.org website and Weekly Update e-newsletter are dedicated to making it easy to stay informed of environmental issues and to quickly and easily take action. We publicize the educational and volunteer activities of all of 100+ Santa Cruz County environmental entities as well as those of several state
and national groups. The Update is the most useful and engaging environmental newsletter for our County. The Update always has beautiful photos, fascinating & informative articles, compelling action items, and good news, and it’s free! It is a powerful resource for all who are committed to being informed and in action protecting and restoring our environment. There are currently over 1100 subscribers in the county. The role of the intern is to connect the UCSC campus community to opportunities to engage in environmental activities by using the Environteers Weekly Update. You will not be asking your community for any money or time
commitment. Rather you are offering a free and convenient resource for helping fulfill their need to make a difference. We need interns who are: passionate about promoting engagement in environmental action, self-motivating, and effective communicators.The specific tasks include:
1. Develop social media presence on campus
2. Working with campus media (radio, newspaper) to publicize
Environteers
3. Contacting instructors & professors of ES & other sciences to
create opportunities to inform their students
4. Working with campus entities, e.g., the Sustainability Office, Climate Coalition, Rachel Carson College, Student Volunteer Center, to foster mutual publicizing.
Educational Docent / Agroecology Internship
Listing also found in Agroecology and Plants tab.
Contact: Stephanie Spross, Education Coordinator; education@farmdiscovery.org
Farm Discovery at Live Earth is a nonprofit organization working in to empower youth and families in the Pajaro Valley community to build and sustain healthy food, farming, social and natural systems. Our home, Live Earth Farm, is a 150-acre patchwork of working organic farm, riparian corridor, oak and redwood forest. Farm Discovery offers educational programs that inspire youth and families to transform their relationship to food, farming and nature.
We are looking for interns that can help engage children and lead them in our curriculum during farm experiences. During the Spring and Fall, we host a variety of educational programs approximately 3x a week, with grades kindergarten-5th. Interns must be available in the morning. If interested in agroecology, fieldwork is available in addition to becoming an educational farm docent.
All interns must be reliable for the duration of the quarter and have transportation, as we are located remotely!
Global Environmental Justice Journal Internship
Listing also found in the Environmental Justice tab.
Contact: globalej@ucsc.edu & (831) 459 - 4158
This internship seeks 5-10 editiors to help produce a peer reviewed global environmental justice journal. Responsibilities include reviewing and editing student papers, commisioning book reviews, and collecting global environmental news to assemble into a cohesive journal.
IDEASS-DROPS Internship
Contact: Tamara Ball, tball@ucsc.edu 831-459-2138 (office)DROPS at Bay View Elementary: A
Project-based internships including:
Drought Response Outreach Program
Get Involved: Students interested in hydrology, urban planning, policy, education or film will learn how DROPS is pushing the envelope on decentralized water management. Implement rainwater catchment systems, stormwater mitigation and groundwater recharge (e.g. bioswales) at Bay View Elementary. Priorities for the project include native plant propagation, piloting original Life Lab curriculum, monitoring on and off-site impacts, installing an irrigation system, producing material for an original feature film and showcasing the project at community events.2018-2019 Highlights!!
- Work directly with local experts and professionals (architects, city staff, and mechanical engineers)
- Redesign blueprints for a new Bay View elementary Life Lab space to accommodate two rainwater tanks a greenhouse and irrigation system and garden beds
- Develop and test a hands on curriculum to feature system components aligned with Next Generation Science Stands and inspired by Life Lab pedaology.
- Install rainwater catchment systems and LID landscape features (rain gardens, bioswales) to mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff
- Sample stormwater runoff and partner with staff at the water treatment plant to perform lab tests to monitor toxicity and pollution
And many more!
Kids in Nature
Contact: Elise Scheuermann, kidsinnature.office@gmail.com
The Kids in Nature Internship, based out of Westlake Elementary School, is an after school program which fosters student appreciation of the outdoors. The programs focus on bringing art, natural history, ethnobotany, emotional literacy, and environmental advocacy to the local youth. Expected responsibilities include leading outdoor adventures, teaching lessons about plants, and creating an exciting learning environment for the next generation of nature stewards. There are openings for 2-unit or 5-unit interns. The schedule follows the school year calendar and the program runs from 2:15-5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday and from 12-5pm on Wednesdays.For more information visit their website!Community Program Work Hours:
Mo/Tu/Th 2:30 - 5:20
We: 12:45 - 5:20
Westlake Program Work Hours:
Mo/Tu/Th/Fr
Kinder: 2:15 - 5:05
1st - 3rd: 2:15 - 5:05
4th - 5th: 2:15 - 5:05
WED - K-5: 12:00pm -5:05pmCommunity Program Work Hours:
Mo/Tu/Th 2:30 - 5:20 (program runs 2:45-5:15pm)
We: 12:45 - 5:20 (program runs 1:00-5:15pm)
Westlake Program Work Hours:
Mo/Tu/Th/Fr
Kinder: 2:15 - 5:05
1st - 3rd: 2:15 - 5:05
4th - 5th: 2:15 - 5:05
WED - K-5: 12:00pm -5:05pm
Environmental Education Internship
Also under the Agroecology and Plants and Conservation tabs
Contact: Dominic “Buzz” Renda buzz@medicinebuddha.org
Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB), a center for healing and developing a good heart, is an active Buddhist community, a local registered non-profit, an environmental conscious meditation and retreat center located on 108 acres of coastal redwood foothills in Soquel. Our mission, values, teachings and practices devoted to increasing the wellbeing for all. We offer a wide range of secular and non-secular offerings including teaching, meditation, retreat and community.
4 2 or 5 unit internships are available. Internship participants will be instrumental in planning, developing and actualizing 1 of 2 priority LMB projects; Regenerative Garden and Nature Walk.
For more information please visit our website!
School Garden Classroom
Listing can also be found in the Campus tab.
Contact: Cara-Alexandra Sundell, cara@lifelab.org (831-459-4035)
Get your hands in the dirt and participate in our Gardening & Garden Crew Internships!!
Grow your gardening skills, learn the basics of garden design and elements of a child-friendly
garden, and learn how we grow the park to support our seasonal field trips, workshops, school & summer programs.
Interns meet at the Life Lab Garden on the UCSC campus
2 or 5 credits are available through the Environmental Studies Dept.
All Genders, LGBTQ+, Latina/o/x/e, and BIPOC are encouraged to sign up.Spring Environmental Education Internships with Life Lab
We taste veggies & fruit, discuss where our food comes from,
and explore the garden with kids!!! Interns receive training in: Garden-based education,
working with children in the outdoors, group management tools, garden development projects,
games, activities, and much more! Interns teach and work on garden projects all quarter.Offerings for Spring 2024 Quarter: Blooming Classroom
●MONDAYS 12:30pm- 6:00pm: Afterschool Super Cycles field trip w/ 3rd& 4th graders at the Blooming Classroom near Watsonville
●TUESDAYS 9am to 2pm: Science Exploration field trips for 1st & 2nd graders at the Garden Classroom on the UCSC farm
●TUESDAYS 12:30pm- 6:00pm: Afterschool Super Cycles field trip w/ 3rd& 4th graders at the Blooming Classroom near Watsonville
●THURSDAYs 9am to 2pm: Science Exploration field trips for 1st & 2nd graders at the Garden Classroom on the UCSC farm
●FRIDAYS 11am to 4:30pm: Afterschool Super Cycles field trip w/ 3rd& 4th graders at the Blooming Classroom near WatsonvilleGardening at the Garden Classroom on the UCSC Farm
● MONDAYS from 9am to 2pm located on campus
Garden Crew at school gardens in Santa Cruz and Live Oak School Districts as well as the Garden Classroom on the UCSC Farm
●TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS from 3-6pm
Interns meet at the Life Lab Garden, on the UCSC campus
Spanish speaking skills desired, but not required!
Enthusiasm for working with kids is a must!
Bay View Elementary
Contact person: Jeanée Natov, jnatov@sccs.net
Bay View Elementary School has a school-wide Life Lab/Garden Science Program. In the garden, students learn garden science and nutrition. Over the school year, students will experience all aspects of gardening including sowing seeds, planting, harvesting, and composting. Students learn about soil, nutrient cycling, life cycles, photosynthesis and other science standards. Our goal is to spark an interest in gardening, science, and healthy food through fun, hands-on activities. The Bay View Life Lab internship involves maintaining the school garden and assisting with garden-based science classes for students grades K-5. We are looking for 2-3 interns to help maintain the school garden, initiate garden projects and assist with outdoor education. We work around the schedule of the elementary school, so the days and times of Life Lab will be Monday through Friday, ending by 4:00pm.
Happy Valley Elementary
Contact: Kate Grell, kategrell@gmail.com
The Intern(s) works in the Happy Valley Elementary School garden during school hours (2 days/week, 3 hours each = 6 hours/week, ideally Wednesdays 11am-2pm and Friday 12-3pm but flexible)
Intern will help maintain garden through watering, weeding, planting, mulching. Student will help with school Life Lab program – managing compost and helping students collect data. Intern will be available in the garden during student recess periods to work with the elementary students on art and planting projects.
Watsonville School Garden Corps
Contact: Kayden Bryant, kayden@lifelab.org
2-unit & 5-unit internships available - Transportation provided from UCSC Farm - Seeking Spanish speakers. Work in School Gardens in Watsonville! Gain gardening skills, learn how to install vegetable garden irrigation systems, create interpretive displays, and work with kids in school gardens.
Available spots on Wednesday 9:30-2:00.
For information and to apply, go to http://www.lifelab.org/classroom/pajaro/school-garden-cre w/ Steps to Intern with Us!
1. Get the paperwork to sign up for credit -- Most interns get credit through ENVS. Stop by the Env Studies Internship Office (491 Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, UCSC; Chris Krohn, Internship Coordinator; (831) 459-2104 to get the paperwork and find out what you need to do to register for the internship. (You are also welcome to do this internship for no credit and volunteer).
2. Once you have your paperwork, make an appointment with the contact listed for your internship of interest. - We'll sign your paperwork and ask you to fill out an info form for us. Please do make an appointment first to make sure we'll be at our office. Find us here.
3. Training - Training starts the first week of classes, on your regular day.
Delaveaga Elementary School
Contact: Lidia Tropeano, Life Lab Coordinator ltropeano@sccs.santacruz.k12.ca.us
The Delaveaga Life Lab internship involves maintaining the school garden and assisting with garden-based science classes for students grades K-5. An intern can choose to focus his/her time on outdoor education, garden projects, orboth. We work around the schedule of the elementary school, so the days and times of Life Lab will be Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am - 3:00pm. The internship times are flexible as long as the intern completes his/her hours. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in outdoor education and/or sustainable agriculture. Interns will have the opportunity to learn effective teaching techniques for an outdoor classroom and gain experience developing a sustainable school vegetable garden.
Gault Elementary School
Contact: Erica Schroeder, erica.schredder@gmail.com (831)429-3856
The Life Lab Program at Gault School is a K-5 hands-on science and nutrition program held outdoors in the school garden. All students visit the garden throughout the school year. Garden includes a greenhouse, greywater recycling, outdoor kitchen, solar ovens, native plants and a pond.
- Interns needed -
Mondays 8:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Tuesdays 8:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Thursdays 8:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Valencia Elementary School
Contact: Caryn Lane, caryn_lane@pvusd.net
The intern will gain experience working with teaches and classes from grades K-6 to teach basic gardening skills. The school garden intern will provide opportunies to teach students about where theur food comes from in a variety of ways including composting, seed saving, and mantaining the garden. The process of gardening will help students to have a deeper understanding of the environment and promote healthy eating in a school setting.
Please check out our website here and the internship description here!
Preschool Storytime Internship
Listing also found in the Water and Marine-Related tab.
Contact: Becky Gustafson, explorationcenter@noaa.gov
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is looking for a weekly
intern who will assist in the coordination and delivery of our Preschool
Storytime program. Duties will include:- Assist in the coordination of a weekly preschool activity time for the
Sanctuary Exploration Center - Help setup and lead weekly crafts, including program advertising
- Work in the gift shop and front desk when needed, and assist with
public events
- Assist in the coordination of a weekly preschool activity time for the
Exhibit Interpreter Internship
Contact: Becky Gustafson, explorationcenter@noaa.gov
Join to be a docent at the Sanctuary Exploration Center
Attend our docent training Tuesday evenings from April 11 through May 23.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz is a visitor center that educates the public about
our sanctuary. Interns will be trained as Docents who welcome visitors and interpret our exhibits to them.
Interns will also assist with exhibit pop-ups and work with the Volunteer Coordinator to improve current exhibits to engage visitors better.Skills include An interest in the natural world, teaching, and environmental enthusiasm. Enjoy interacting with the public and being a proactive, dependable, and responsible team member. A background in ocean science, marine biology, or environmental science is preferred but not required. You must be willing to spend the effort
necessary to learn the appropriate material. Internship requirements: Attend docent training. Work one 3.25-hour shift a week after training. Shifts are 9:45 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. or 12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday.Our requirements for docents are to work a minimum of twice a month, up to once a week for a 3.25-hour shift where they welcome visitors, interpret exhibits, and engage visitors in ocean conservation and education. Volunteers also receive enrichments throughout the year, which include science talks and field trips.
Field Trip Program
Contact: Becky Gustafson, explorationcenter@noaa.gov
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is looking for a weekly
intern who will assist with our Field Trip programs. Duties will include:- Assist in the setup and tear-down of field trip activities
- Help with general crowd control and supervision of students
- Work in the gift shop and front desk when needed
Natural Bridges State Beach
Winter Opportunity:Have you ever imagined yourself as an environmental educator? In such a role, you can become a bridge between people and place and a facilitator of connective experiences in nature. At Natural Bridges we have a WINTER internship that offers training in environmental interpretation and environmental education. In particular, you will learn to assist with morning school group tours of the monarch butterfly preserve at the start of the quarter, then participate in our 5 Saturday tidepool training and then help with leading morning school group tidepool tours and the public on weekends. At other times you can be part of a team to remove invasive plants. Your help is also much appreciated in running our Migration Festival on the second Saturday in February.Spring Opportunity:We have a spring internship that offers weekday morning tidepool programs for schools with environmental interpretation and environmental education training. In particular, you will learn to lead school group tours of the tide pools in our State Marine Reserve on weekday mornings and to the public on weekends at times of low tide.Fall Opportunity:In Fall, we offer monarch butterfly environmental interpretation and environmental education training to lead school group tours in our State Monarch Preserve and participate in the Welcome Back Monarchs Day Festival the Second Sunday in October.We look forward to meeting you!Use this link to apply!
Norris Center Internships
Listing can also be found in the Campus tab.
-
The Norris Center welcomes students who are interested in natural history and want to get hands-on experience with a natural history collection in a meaningful way. 2-unit and 5-unit internships are available to students interested in creating their own projects or continuing long term projects. Past projects have included taxidermy, creation of exhibits, cataloging various collections, creating online natural history resources, teaching classes, leading hikes for campus groups, and writing natural history based books/curriculum. We have a diverse collection including an herbarium, and collections of birds, herps, fish, skulls, mammals, insects, etc. at your disposal to work with. Successful interns will have an interest in natural history and enthusiasm for learning.
Below is a list of the winter 2023 internships:- Herbarium Internship: Learn about plants in the museum
- Taxidermy Internship: Learn about how to prepare specimens for the museum
- Natural History Museum Projects with Entomological Collections: Learn the foundations of professional insect curation using the Randall Morgan Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps) collection.
- Mammal Projects: Interns will help with skeletonization at Mt. Lion to prepare it for the museum.
- Senior Internship/Senior Thesis
After taking a look at the internship page and if you identify an internship that you are interested in for the winter quarter- send an email to gimhurta@ucsc.edu (first) along with a screenshot of your weekly schedule. -
Norris Center Taxidermy Internship
Contact: Chris Lay, cml@ucsc.edu, (831) 459-4763
The taxidermy intern will be crucial in helping add to, and maintain, our current collections. The intern will be trained in how to skin, dry, document and properly preserve bird, and possibly mammal, specimens over the course of the quarter. According to a detailed protocol, the intern will work to create scientific specimens from previously collected animals to add to the museum’s collections.
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Novasutras
Contact: Michelle Merrill, novasutras@gmail.com 360-270-5681
The Novasutras community has a culture of inclusion and respect for all. This means that your ideas and opinions will be invited, valued, and validated -- we hope to learn from you while you learn from us. As part of our team, you will have free access to all Novasutras events. We are eager to work with you to grow your social network and nourish your intentions for personal development in ways that are mutually beneficial. As a member of our outreach and event planning team, your tasks will likely include:- Communication and correspondence with allied organizations and potential guest presenters
- Creating compelling event descriptions, images and other promotional materials
- Listing events on online calendars, webpages, and email announcements
- Promoting events on social media and other channels
- Coordinating schedules
- Assisting with online event hosting
Ocean Seed Project
Listing also found in the Water & Marine-Related tab.
Contact: Dominic P. Renda, buzz@oceanseedproject.org (831) 325-7048
Oceanseed Project is a science-based, results-oriented, environmental non-profit providing access, insight, inspiration, developmental empowerment and new possibilities to at-risk youth. Oceanseed Project transforms our natural world by providing vulnerable children access to the oceans, beaches, estuaries and watersheds accompanied with mentorship and a student-centered curriculum in the humanities and sciences that compliment Common Core education standards. In establishing their direct connection with nature, our children discover a world of new possibilities; forever improving the trajectory of their lives and that of our world. An Oceanseed Project internship provides participant student team members with the opportunity for direct hands on access, experience and professional business education in environmental entrepreneurism, conservation and education including; federal and state regulations, finance, marketing, programs, operations and field work. Oceanseed Project interns are provided guidance and supervision in strategic areas in support of our mission, yet given the freedom and encouragement to truly make it their own.
RIEKES Center for Human Enhancement
Contact: Jeremy Hartje, nature@riekes.org
650-364-2509 Fax: 650-261-6006
We have a weekly kids nature awareness program for homeschool kids that runs from September thru May. Kids meet weekly at the UCSC Arboretum from 9 am to 3 pm with staff meeting 8:30 am to 3:30pm. We are looking for interns to assist with our mentoring programs on a weekly basis. We are looking for interns who are highly inspired to work with youth in nature and have an interest in furthering their own journey in connecting with nature. Interns must also be comfortable being in nature in all types of weather (we go out with kids rain or shine). We will mentor the interns in the following core routines of nature awareness: hazards, games, journaling, tracking, sit spot, wandering, ecological indicators, songs, sensory awareness, survival skills, and bird language. For more information visit their website....
Social & Ecological Justice Campaign
Listing also found in the Conservation and Environmental Justice tab.
Contact: Juli Hazlewood, juli@rootsroutes.org
Roots & Routes IC's (Roots & Routes, R&R) mission is to facilitate sharing knowledge and compassion between diverse cultures en route to responsibly stewarding a flourishing living world. We are a network linking community-based Indigenous and Ancestral peoples’ environmental educational initiatives that teaches the world that we are worth more than the resources below our feet.We offer a remote internship program with youth from all over the world. The Youth Visionary Collective (YVC) contributes to environmental and social consciousness by offering the opportunity to hone professional and life skills, to learn how to strategize and grow an international and community-based NGO, and to join a community of like-minded youth across the world dedicated to environmental justice, Indigenous and ethnic self-determination, sovereignty, and decolonizing knowledge.We have six teams: the Social Media Team, who create Instagram content; the Podcast Team who are creating our new podcast; the Blog & Newsletter Team who write blogs and our newsletter; the Pluriversity team who strategize and build our educational platform; the Steering Committee who coordinate and facilitate the YVC; and the Spanish-speaking Rights of Nature team who create content for the Spanish Instagram account.The program is divided into four seasons per year, of around 10 weeks per season. Each season includes an orientation where new interns learn about Roots & Routes and the teams, and get started on the projects. During the next 10 weeks there will be weekly 1-2 hour meetings on Zoom with bi-weekly guest teachers, ranging from Indigenous leaders to scholar-activists. You will also meet weekly within the teams and spend a minimum of 6 hours per week on your projects.Listing can also be found under Environmental Justice
Contact: Amity Sandage, asandage@santacruzcoe.org
The County Office of Education leads a robust environmental literacy initiative that offers multiple pathways for UC interns.
The COE supports a unique countywide high school leadership group: Youth for Environmental Action (YEA). The goals of this program are to increase student voice and agency, and to support environmental action and civic engagement of high school students around environmental sustainability and environmental justice issues they identify as important to them. UCSC interns will play an important role in identifying potential resources and community partners for the program; mentoring student leaders as they plan events and projects–including a countywide student-led environmental action summit; and documenting, promoting and evaluating the program's impacts.
This initiative also includes opportunities for interns to support the Teacher Leadership Institute for Sustainability, a teacher training program which aims to increase TK-12th grade teacher capacity for integrating environmental sustainability with classroom curriculum and leading students in sustainability efforts at school and in their communities. Teachers and their students who complete the program will receive recognition for taking part in the countywide "Every Classroom a Green Classroom" challenge. This green classroom recognition program will challenge teachers and students to make a commitment to sustainable practices as a learning community and apply their classroom knowledge and skills to impact an environmental issue on their campus or in their community. Interns will assist in preparations for workshops and events for this group, gather and disseminate resources to teachers and environmental education partners, and assist with ongoing communication among the group.Lastly, the COE is developing an internal "green workspace" recognition program for staff and integrating green business practices within its staff wellness initiative to promote the health of both people and planet. Interns can be a part of the pilot process of this green workspace program.
Environmental Education Internship
Fall 2024: Museum is searching for an Envionmental Education Intern to help support the museum's school programs for K-5th grade students
Contact: intern@santacruzmuseum.org (831)420-6115 #13
Founded over 100 years ago, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is rooted in understanding and sharing a fascination of the natural world. Today, education remains at the core of the Museum's mission: to connect people to nature. All of the Museum's educational programs are designed to foster understanding and appreciation of Santa Cruz's rich natural and cultural history. Each year, the Museum provides quality school programming to thousands of youth. With its vast collection of local artifacts and one of a kind exhibits, the Museum offers unique learning opportunities for students to delve into natural and cultural history topics in ways they cannot in their classrooms.
TO APPLY: Interested applicants can visit the museum's website for the internship description, fill out an online application or email intern@santacruzmuseum.
org with any questions about the internship opportunity. 
School Programs Teaching & Project Intern
Listing also found in the Water & Marine-Related tab.
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers@ucsc.edu
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is dedicated to educating people about the role scientific research plays in understanding and conserving our world's oceans. Volunteer Teaching & Project Interns become part of our outstanding and inspiring team of School Programs Instructors who lead engaging, hands-on, marine science activities for school groups on field trips at the Seymour Center. Gain valuable knowledge and experience as a science educator through teaching a variety of marine science concepts to students ranging in age from kindergarten to community college. Learn to lead outdoor tours to Long Marine Lab’s blue and gray whale skeletons, marine mammal research overlook, invertebrate touch pools, and more.
School Programs Teaching & Project interns must complete the Seymour Center School Programs Instructor training and commit to volunteering at least two to three quarters (three quarter commitments receive internship preference). Internship course credit can be earned after completing one or more quarters as a volunteer in good standing.
Learn more about Seymour Center school programs and apply for an internship on the Seymour Center website.
Seymour Center Docent Training Intern
Listing also found in the Environmental Education tab.
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers@ucsc.edu
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab hires a Visitor Programs Docent Training Intern each winter quarter. Responsibilities include working with the Visitor Programs Manager to develop teaching materials for the docent training course held at the Seymour Center from January - March. The intern will help set-up the room before each training starts, record lectures, upload videos to a training website, take notes, help clean up the classroom after each training, and many other various tasks. The intern must also create a presentation and present a selected marine science topic to the docent training class.Docent training volunteer and internship applications will become available in October 2023
Sprout Up Internship Opportunities
Listing also found on Campus tab.
Contact: Kendall Post, kendall@sproutup.org
Sprout Up is a project of Environmental Volunteers founded in 2009 by undergraduates to instill a love for learning and an ethic of sustainability in our youth. Our environmental science & sustainability program links teams of college-student instructors with 1st and 2nd grade classrooms for weekly activities, experiments, and discussions that explore the relationship between humans and the natural world. We have also provided leadership development and training to over 3,500 college student volunteers.
Sprout Up is excited to partner with motivated college students with a passion for equity and environmental change to work on creating new Sprout Up chapters at their colleges and universities. Through your work with Sprout Up you'll develop critical leadership, education, and environmental skills, make a difference in your community, and empower the next generation of environmental stewards!
Youth in Wilderness Intern
Listing can also be found under Environmental Justice
Contact: Daniela Cervantes; dani@ventanwild.org
"Youth in Wilderness seeks experienced backpackers and enthusiastic naturalists to assist in the leading of Environmental Education and Service-Learning field outings. Our primary field seasons are January through June, and September through December. We also run a limited number of day trips June-August. A positive attitude and a commitment to safety are required. Field Assistants would work closely with YiW Program Manager and YiW Leaders to coordinate and lead backpacking excursions in the Big Sur backcountry. A 2 unit internship--60 field hours-- entails joining 3 wilderness excursions in a quarter. Please inquire about trip schedule."
Pie Ranch
Lexington Elementary School
Adventure Sports Journal
Beauregard Vineyards
Big Basin State Park
Bird School Project
Calabasas Garden - affiliated with C9/10
California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Compost Research & Education Foundation
Ecology Action
Education for Sustainable Living Program
Environmental Innovations (EI)
Environteers
Farm Discovery at Live EarthFarm
Global Environmental Justice Journal
IDEASS-DROPS
Kids in Nature
Land of Medicine Buddha
Life Lab
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
Natural Bridges State Beach
Norris Center for Natural History
Novasutras
Ocean Seed Project
RIEKES Center for Human Enhancement
Roots & Routes Intercultural Collaborations
Santa Cruz County Office of Education’s Environmental Literacy for All Initiative
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Sprout Up
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
