Natural Resources Summer 2026 Intern
About The Position
The Natural Resources Intern will support Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail’s (HHFT’s) stewardship and ecological restoration initiatives across priority sites along the Fjord Trail corridor. Reporting to the Natural Resources Coordinator and working collaboratively with the Community and Visitor Relations Manager, the intern will assist with volunteer-led invasive species management, native seed collection and processing, restoration planting, and ecological monitoring. This position offers hands-on field experience in restoration ecology, volunteer engagement, and applied conservation practices. The intern will help prepare and support volunteer trainings, serve as an assistant crew leader during stewardship events, and contribute to field data collection and documentation efforts that advance HHFT’s commitment to ecological excellence and resilient, biodiverse landscapes.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program in ecology, environmental science, natural resources, forestry, biology, environmental studies, GIS, or a related field.
- Demonstrated interest in conservation, restoration ecology, and public lands stewardship.
- Familiarity with regional plant identification, invasive species management, or habitat restoration concepts.
- Experience with field data collection (e.g., transects, GPS data points, vegetation surveys).
- Interest in or experience using GIS tools (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Google Earth) and mobile data collection applications.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established protocols.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Comfort working outdoors in varying weather conditions and terrain.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Availability for occasional weekend hours.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with volunteers or engaging with the public is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the development and delivery of volunteer training materials related to iMapInvasives data collection, field documentation protocols, and introductory Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) concepts.
- Serve as Assistant Crew Leader during volunteer stewardship events, supporting invasive species removal, native seed collection, and planting/restoration workdays.
- Reinforce safety procedures, proper tool use, and best management practices during all field activities.
- Support seasonal native seed collection across designated restoration areas.
- Assist with seed cleaning, processing, labeling, storage, and inventory management.
- Organize and maintain seed documentation to support future restoration planning.
- Assist with post-treatment monitoring of invasive species management sites.
- Collect and organize field data, including GPS points, vegetation observations, and photo documentation.
- Compile and organize field notes, datasets, and imagery for reporting and long-term planning.
- Support seasonal data organization and preparation for end-of-season reporting.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
