Summer 2026 Energy Resources & Land Conservation Intern

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. • Washington, DC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C. NRDC is seeking a Summer 2026 Energy Resources & Land Conservation intern to work with the Nature, Land Conservation team associated with our Washington, D.C. office. NRDC's Land Conservation team works to protect sensitive landscapes, endangered species habitat, communities, and natural resources from threats posed by unchecked industrial development. The team focuses on public lands in the United States, and prioritizes both fighting against expansive fossil fuel leasing and fighting for responsible renewable energy deployment. As part of this team, the Energy Resources & Land Conservation intern will support the team’s staff scientist in her analytical portfolio, spanning both fossil fuel and renewable energy issues. Specific projects will be determined by the team’s needs at the time of the internship, but may include efforts to: model and geospatially map cumulative impacts of recent fossil fuel leasing policy changes; evaluate land use implications and tradeoffs associated with clean energy critical minerals; create public-facing dashboards or user-friendly web-based analysis tools to expand the reach of prior climate, energy, and economic research.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program.
• Evidence of coursework in advanced mathematics (e.g., calculus, linear algebra, statistics and probability).
• Demonstrated interest in environmental and/or energy policy.
• Comfort with standard productivity software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Pursuing a degree in science, engineering, or related technical field.
• Demonstrated research experience.
• Coursework or research experience in climate science, energy systems, earth systems, sustainability, industrial ecology, and/or environmental economics.
• Experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, such as ArcGIS.
• Advanced Excel and/or programming skills.
• Education or extra-curricular experience engaging in environmental and/or energy policy.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Capable of self-direction.
• Open to close collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific and policy research necessary to support staff scientist and Land Conservation team with legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns to fight dirty energy and support responsible clean energy development.
• Participate in problem scoping and brainstorming discussions for incoming requests.
• Compile, process, and analyze energy, climate, geospatial, and/or economic data.
• Produce data visualizations and translate results into accessible written products (e.g., emails, memos, reports, public comments) and presentations for project team.
• Attend meetings relevant to project work: e.g., team meetings, external coalition or partner calls, educational webinars, etc.
• Cover multiple projects over internship term to help different members of the team working on a range of issues, as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees