It is challenging for students in community colleges to gain meaningful internship experiences that match their interest, knowledge, and skill sets. This is an even greater challenge for members of racially and ethnically marginalized communities.
The Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW)’s Community College Conservation Internship emerged from three central questions: 1) Who is being trained for, informed of, and recruited for environmental jobs? 2) How are environmental jobs made accessible? 3) What are key experiences that can prepare the next generation of environmentalists of color to become environmental leaders?
The CCC Internship is a part of Point Blue Conservation Science’s STRAW program. Point Blue’s 160 scientists work to develop nature-based solutions to climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental threats to benefit wildlife and people. Point Blue’s STRAW team works with over 50 schools throughout the academic year throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, immersing K-12th grade students in active restoration. Students implement professional restoration technician work while learning about the importance of conservation, restoration, and community. We hope to address the growing need and scope of our work by creating this summer internship for motivated, local community college students!
The CCC Internship aims for participants to:
This paid 8 week program will entail in-person gatherings (Seminar Days & Retreats) and active restoration site visits (Field Days).The internship begins Thursday, June 1st and concludes Wednesday, July 19th, 2022. Only the first week will have a short online session for intern onboarding — the remaining of the program will be in-person.
Seminar Days (Tuesdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm) — Facilitated lessons presented by guest experts of applied environmental and restoration science in land management practices. Discussion based sessions of environmental justice issues in the context of conservation efforts and an exploration of identity and passions to inform career pathways. Week 6 is the only exception where we will have our Seminar Day on Thursday as it will be Independence day that Tuesday, July 4th.
Field Days (Wednesday or Thursday or Friday) — Guided field visits where participants will contribute meaningfully to active restoration sites and native plant nurseries. Interns will learn more about restoration science techniques such as best practices in native plant nurseries, irrigation, plant removal, seed collection, plant data monitoring, and tool maintenance.
Participants are expected to attend one field day per week, selecting their most convenient day between Wednesday – Friday. Field Days are 8 hours and can begin anytime between 7 am and be completed by 5 pm.
Retreats (Week 2 & 8, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm) — The Orientation Retreat and Celebration Retreat will be held in the Point Blue headquarters, active habitat restoration site and other conservation science sites. In retreats, interns will have opportunities to explore new learnings, reflect on new connections and create communities.
A summary of the internship program can be found below:
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||
| June 1st | Week 1 | Online
(10 AM – 11:30 AM) |
|||
| June 6th -7th | Week 2 | Retreat (9 AM – 3 PM) | |||
| June 13th | Week 3 | Seminar Day
(9 AM – 12 PM) |
Field Day (one weekday, 8 hours) | ||
| June 20th | Week 4 | Seminar Day | Field Day (Pick only one day) | ||
| June 27th | Week 5 | Seminar Day | Field Day | ||
| July 6th | Week 6 | Holiday, Office Closed | Field Day | Seminar Day | Field Day |
| July 11th | Week 7 | Seminar Day | Field Day | ||
| July 18th – 19th | Week 8 | Retreat (9 AM – 3 PM) | |||
Eligibility — You must be a current or incoming community college student within Sonoma and Marin County. You must have the ability to work in the U.S., and identify as a member of a racially and/or ethnically marginalized community. No prior experience in the environmental field or science is required, it is welcomed!
Program Benefits — Gain meaningful experiences learning with scientists implementing environmental efforts in local communities while earning an internship stipend of up to $1400 in a supportive peer cohort. Students who have completed their internship will have the opportunity to apply for a paid position as a STRAW Apprentice in active restoration sites for the Fall of 2023.
Application Timeline —
Meet your internship coordinator and more details about the internship program through this webinar here.
We welcome any further questions and strongly encourage you to reach out if you have any hesitations applying due to any barriers you perceive having, such as scheduling conflicts, being an undocumented student, and technology access.
Feel free to contact Alba Estrada López at aestrada@pointblue.org.