Program Dates: 8/26/24 - 8/23/25
About us:
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.
Program Description:
Please note that the start date is negotiable. Based out of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound, Florida, the South Florida Land Conservation Intern (intern) will develop a variety of skills relating to natural resource management and TNC’s mission; “to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.” Blowing Rocks Preserve is a 73-acre protected area located on a barrier island on the southeast coast of Florida. It is open to the public and hosts more than 50,000 visitors each year. Natural features at the preserve include maritime hammock, coastal strand, beach dune, coastal scrub, mangrove swamp, the Indian River Lagoon shoreline and Atlantic Ocean, Anastasia limestone rock formation outcroppings, and Sabellariid reefs.
The intern will participate in habitat management working at Blowing Rocks Preserve and on other TNC-owned and partners’ lands and will conduct activities such as invasive species control, native plant propagation and planting, wildland fire management and applied conservation science. Other stewardship responsibilities will include assisting with habitat and species mapping and monitoring, water quality monitoring, sea turtle rescue, data management, and other natural resource management activities. Preserve landscape maintenance duties will include mowing, trimming, and trail maintenance.
Preferred skills include basic carpentry, painting, plumbing and mechanical skill to perform light facilities and equipment maintenance as needed. The intern will be expected to participate in daily preserve operations, including opening and closing of the preserve, collecting, and sorting trash and recycling, and public restroom upkeep. The intern will also assist with visitor management and public education and outreach including working with volunteers, school children, and other groups on a variety of projects such as shoreline cleanups, stewardship workdays, answering visitor questions, leading guided nature tours, and assisting with other educational and interpretive programming.
The intern will receive training for the use of ATV, UTV, truck, tractor, landscaping equipment, and computer programs such as ARCMap/GIS. The intern will be expected to possess or obtain certifications for First Aid/CPR/AED and Type II Wildland Firefighter if the training is available in the area. Additional objectives may be developed based on the intern’s personal interests and/or skills. The intern will develop and complete a project related to their position and present their work at the completion of their internship.
Member Benefits:
- Living Allowance: $300 per week
- Commuter Allowance: $28 per week
- Relocation Travel: $1,100 one-time
Member Qualifications:
- Driver’s license
- Personal vehicle required.
Additional:
To be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member, you must:
-
Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States
-
Be at least 18 years old
-
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
-
Be willing to undergo a National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender, and FBI checks
Conditions of Employment
Required to demonstrate full vaccination status for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine.