Summer 2026 Freshwater Ecosystems Policy Intern

Natural Resources Defense Council

4d • $10,000 - $10,000 • 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 Freshwater Ecosystems Policy Intern to work with the Lands team associated with our Washington, D.C. office.

Requirements

• Enrolled in a graduate program or recent graduate of a graduate program focused on public policy, law, environmental management, or sustainability.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Interest in environmental and social justice issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of and competency in equity and inclusion, including contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Commitment to NRDC's mission and values.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate or graduate exposure to nature-based climate solutions, ecological restoration principles and approaches, and/or freshwater protection or restoration policies.

Responsibilities

• Track legislative and policy proposals emerging from states, Congress, and Federal Agencies.
• Attend House and Senate hearings to monitor legislation related to NRDC's priority issues.
• Research nature-based solutions to support clean water, build resilience to wildfire, and help communities adapt to climate change.
• Research Tribal wetland management programs and models as well as co-stewardship agreements between Tribes and public land management agencies.
• Develop advocacy materials related to the topics mentioned above.
• Engage in other land and freshwater ecosystems protection and restoration policy projects.

Benefits

• This position is: a paid internship with a stipend equivalent to $10,000.00 paid bi-weekly over the course of the assignment.
• The incumbent will not qualify as an employee, fellow, volunteer, or independent contractor of NRDC, nor will the incumbent be guaranteed employment at the end of the internship term.
• NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come into the office 8 days per month.
• As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination. Those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions.
• NRDC treats all vaccination-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern