The Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) is a community-support, nonprofit conservation organization located in Greenwich, NY. Our mission is to protect the community’s working farms and forests, connect people to the land, and promote a vibrant future for agriculture and forestry in the region. Since 1990, ASA has conserved 180 properties totaling more than 32,792 acres of land, including two community forests.

Historically, our focus has been assisting farmers and woodland landowners to conserve their land using voluntary land protection agreements that limit future development while retaining the ownership of these lands. Forestland amounts to about half of the land ASA has conserved. Over the past several years we have expanded the scope of our work to include ASA ownership of community forests, which provide recreational, ecological, and educational benefits to the communities where they exist. A major aspect of the educational value of these properties is to demonstrate sustainable forestry practices and promote the many benefits of working forests.

Invasive species proliferation is negatively impacting forest regeneration, particularly in our service area. The presence of invasive species prior to a timber harvest taking place jeopardizes the long-term sustainability of the land to continue to produce forest products. Thus, the management of invasive species before a timber harvest is a key part of our goals to showcase sustainable forestry, and vital to our stewardship of forests. ASA hopes to share our stewardship methods and results with private forest landowners to enhance their stewardship of productive forests.

ASA is pleased to offer one paid summer internship opportunity to assist with research and field work related to managing invasive species on ASA owned properties. This “Invasive Species Management” internship will focus on researching the methods, professional services, and strategies we can use to mitigate the impact of invasive species and remediate affected areas to restore a more functional forest ecosystem. The main deliverable of the internship will be written documents that present a well-researched guide to managing the common terrestrial invasive species present in our service area. In addition, ongoing field work, focused on engaging volunteers and other groups in identifying, removing, and remediating areas impacted by invasive species will apply this research on-the-ground.

The Invasive Species Management Intern position is designed for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in this rapidly emerging field of invasive species remediation. The position is ideal for a student interested in natural resource conservation, forestry and ecosystem management, or invasive species remediation. This internship can be structured to be mostly spent at ASA’s office in Greenwich, or be hybrid. There will be periodic site visits, field work, and attendance at programs and events throughout the internship.

Examples of Possible Intern Tasks:

• Develop a guide on managing the most common terrestrial invasive species found in our service area.
• Develop Invasive Species Management Plans specific to 2-3 ASA properties.
• Lead volunteers in invasive species removal workshops on our community forest lands.
• Develop educational materials for distribution and posting.
• Lead educational and introductory outings at our community forests.
• Independent field work to remove invasive species from sensitive areas on our properties.
• Assist in conservation easement stewardship.
• Assist in ASA events over the summer, including our “Forever Farmland Supper” in early August.
• Provide general office support.

Requirements:

• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program (and must have completed at least one year by the end of Spring 2025) or have just graduated from an undergraduate program in Spring of 2025.
• Coursework in ecology, forestry, natural resources, and biology are a plus
• Understanding of, and enthusiastic interest in the mission of ASA.
• Demonstrated strong organizational, research, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Familiarity with mapping and GIS software a plus.
• Ability to sit and work on a computer up to 8 hours a day.
• Ability to walk in the woods over varied terrain while carrying equipment.
• Reliable transportation. Willingness to travel with mileage reimbursement included.
• Experience with community conservation, and land management, a plus.

Employment Terms:

• $17/hr and ability to work 4-5 days a week for 30-35 hours per week, which may include an occasional evening or weekend, as arranged in advance.
• Ability to work between early June and mid-August, or as arranged.

MORE INFORMATION HERE