Natural Resources / Sustainability Intern

Daniel Stowe Conservancy • Belmont, NC

3h • $300 - $3,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Daniel Stowe Conservancy (Stowe) inspires a love of nature and its beauty through unforgettable outdoor experiences. The nearly 400 acres of Stowe provides visitors with a chance to reconnect with nature in all seasons. The property welcomes guests to spectacular gardens, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, sparkling fountains, nearly 6 miles of trails, a dog park and diverse natural areas including woodlands, Piedmont prairies, savannas, wetlands and restored habitats. In addition to its public gardens, Stowe is committed to environmental stewardship through innovative sustainability initiatives that integrate land conservation, water resource protection, green infrastructure, native plant propagation and climate-resilient landscape practices.
The Natural Resources/Sustainability Intern supports the Conservancy’s land stewardship and sustainability efforts through hands-on work in habitat restoration, watershed protection, invasive species management, native plantings, ecological monitoring and nature-based stormwater practices. The intern will work closely with Natural Resources and Horticulture staff, along with volunteers, to implement projects that advance Stowe’s long-term conservation goals.
An ideal candidate will have an interest in environmental science, ecology, sustainability, watershed management, restoration or related fields and be comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions.

Requirements

• Exhibits a passion for the mission of Daniel Stowe Conservancy and environmental stewardship.
• Successfully pass a standard background review.
• Must be willing to wear a uniform and work outside as needed.
• Available to work occasional nights and weekends to support special events or volunteer initiatives.
• Must be willing to serve all guests equally regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
• Must be able to perform physical requirements of programs at the most rigorous level.
• May experience exposure to extended periods of sun, rain, cold temperatures, wind, water and potentially uneven terrain that may contain trip hazards.
• Must be able to hear distress noises and hear and see distress signals in a variety of environments, always keeping safety in mind.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Regular walking, lifting, twisting, crawling, pushing, pulling and grasping.
• Frequent sitting, standing, squatting and kneeling.
• Pursuing a degree in environmental science, ecology, sustainability, natural resources management, environmental engineering, biology, forestry, landscape architecture or related field.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred, but not required, coursework or experience in restoration ecology, watershed management, stormwater management, GIS, plant identification (native and invasive species), soil science or environmental monitoring.
• Experience with field work, data collection or ecological monitoring is preferred.
• Familiarity with hand tools and basic landscape or restoration equipment; experience with power tools such as string trimmers, brush cutters or other light equipment is a plus.
• Interest in native plant propagation, habitat restoration and nature-based solutions for stormwater and watershed protection.
• Comfortable working independently in outdoor field conditions as well as collaboratively in a team environment with staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Understands the importance of each guest to the Conservancy and drives excellence to ensure an optimal experience while stewardship is conducted in public-facing spaces.
• Assists with habitat restoration projects, including invasive species removal, native plant installation, prairie and woodland management, and riparian buffer enhancement.
• Supports watershed protection initiatives, including stormwater BMP maintenance, green infrastructure observation, erosion control practices, and water quality protection efforts.
• Assists with ecological monitoring efforts such as phenology tracking, vegetation surveys, GIS-based mapping and data collection.
• Supports native plant nursery efforts, including seed collection, cleaning, propagation, transplanting and documentation.
• Participates in trail sustainability efforts, including erosion mitigation and best management practices for public access.
• Assists with organizational sustainability projects, including waste reduction and recycling programs, composting initiatives, utility usage tracking (water and energy), data collection for sustainability metrics, and identification of opportunities to reduce resource consumption and improve operational efficiency.
• Assists with volunteer workdays and educational programs related to sustainability, restoration and conservation science.
• Exemplifies Stowe’s Mission Statement and supports staff, departments and leadership in pursuing and achieving strategic conservation goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern