BR-2627 BRIDGE Great Plains Policy and Economics Undergraduate Intern

World Wildlife Fund • Washington, DC

5d • $21 - $21 • Remote

About The Position

WWF seeks a BRIDGE Great Plains Policy and Economics Undergraduate Intern . The intern will work with the Senior Director, Great Plains Policy and the Great Plains Team. The Wildlife/Great Plains team at WWF-US is working to advance three overarching goals in its updated Great Plains strategy: 1) sustain and expand intact grasslands; 2) enhance the ecological function of prairie ecosystems; and 3) restore keystone and endangered wildlife. All workstreams across the Great Plains Program contribute to conserving grasslands, improving ecological function, and restoring wildlife to achieve identified 2030 targets. This work entails determining policy and programmatic priorities of the Great Plains program as laid out in the 2030 strategy, including advancing policy priorities related to grassland conservation and restoration, slowing conversion, improved ecological function through improved management, bison, black footed ferret and beaver restoration, community-led conservation, and sustainable financing. The team works to advance short- and long-term policy objectives including developing strategy documents and policy recommendations and engaging strategic coalitions, partner organizations, corporations, federal and state agencies, and platforms, representing the interests of the Great Plains team, program and strategy to drive policy outcomes and conservation impacts aligned with the Great Plains 2030 strategy .

Requirements

• Pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s program Environmental & Natural Resource Economics; Agricultural Economics; Law & Land Use Policy; and/or Ecological Economics . Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply.
• Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date (June 1, 2026 ).
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration .
• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills.
• Attention to detail and time management skills.
• Strong economic analysis skills, including cost benefit analysis, ecosystem service valuation, and policy counterfactual thinking.
• Strong research skills, including literature review and evidence synthesis, and proficiency in working with large public data sets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with emphasis on Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Subject expertise in one or more of the following areas is preferred, but not : Public policy/Public administration Conservation biology/Environmental Science/Grassland Science .

Responsibilities

• The intern will conduct research to strengthen the economic arguments that can help advance key policies to keep grasslands intact, support sustainable grazing, restore marginal lands to grass, and benefit keystone wildlife of the Great Plains and to gather economic data to further refine our policy recommendations.
• Economic benefits of policies that promote and support wildlife friendly fencing. Conduct research to identify and inventory existing priorities for wildlife friendly fencing in Montana and Wyoming State Wildlife Action Plans related state and federal programs; work with Great Plains team to identify technical needs and options for improving fencing to improve outcomes for wildlife; and conduct research to identify economic and environmental/wildlife benefits of these options generally and in key states. Document cost savings in key states from reduced costs of fence replacement and from reduced animal casualties (livestock and wildlife).
• Economic benefits of keeping grasslands intact and restoring marginal cropland to grass. Conduct research to assess potential savings from avoided crop insurance subsidies and crop insurance payouts for crop failures by keeping at risk grasslands intact and/or restoring marginal cropland to grass.

Benefits

• WWF interns will be offered a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes: Development discussions with their manager; Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program; Speed mentoring with different WWF teams; Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff; Session on resume and interviewing best practices.
• Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s staff and leadership team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree