2025 Preserve Steward Internship

Position Summary:

The Pound Ridge Land Conservancy (PRLC) is accepting applications for two Preserve Steward Interns for the 2025 summer season to assist in a variety of stewardship and management duties on PRLC preserves throughout Pound Ridge. The successful applicants will have a willingness to learn, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for protecting the natural environment. Under the supervision of PRLC’s Land Steward, intern duties may include preserve monitoring, trail maintenance and construction, performing boundary, sign, and kiosk maintenance, invasive species control and ecological restoration, ecological monitoring and research, educational programming, and public outreach activities. Specific duties vary yearly based on the needs of the organization and interests of interns. Each intern will take the lead in planning and executing a project related to their work with PRLC. Through this project, the successful applicant will be able to tailor this internship program to their specific interest or degree concentration, consistent with PRLC mission and goals. This is a 10-week part-time (20 hours/week) paid internship. 

About Pound Ridge Land Conservancy (PRLC):

PRLC is an LTA accredited nonprofit land trust in Pound Ridge, New York. PRLC owns 20 preserves totaling 383 acres and assists in preserving and managing an additional 177 acres through conservation easements. Our preserves are home to thousands of plants and animals and are managed for the preservation of biodiversity, passive recreation, and educational programs. PRLC’s hub is located at the Armstrong Preserve and Education Center, 1361 Old Post Road in Pound Ridge, NY. For more information, see our website, prlc.net.

Training:

Interns will receive broad training on land management practices, skills and equipment. In addition to this broad training, our 2025 program will focus on three key areas:

• Trail maintenance and construction – Interns will learn physical trail maintenance and construction techniques, visitor psychology, and how to manage a trail to meet the demands of visitor use while also protecting the natural resources.
• Ecological restoration – Interns will assist with invasive species management, native plant propagation and ecological monitoring plots.
• Intern interest or degree concentration – PRLC’s Land Steward will collaborate with each intern to determine a specific area of focus that coincides with their academic and career goals while also advancing PRLC’s mission. This part of the internship will include a project that the intern will take the lead on conducting.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High school diploma and 6 months of related experience or course work.
• Experience with various field equipment (e.g., hand tools, GPS, camera, compass)
• Ability to use a computer (e.g., word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, etc.)
• Ability to perform physical work and hike in rough terrain and varying weather conditions.
• Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to conservation and community service and a desire for hands-on experience in scientific and land management projects.

Desired Qualifications:

• Completed at least 1 year of a college program in environmental sciences, outdoor recreation, forestry, or other natural-resource related program.
• Experience performing trail maintenance or construction.
• Knowledge of native and invasive species or desire to learn these species quickly.
• Experience with GIS and uploading GPS data.
• Experience in photography and/or video production.
• Experience collecting field data.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.

Schedule: 

The internship runs for eight to ten weeks, 20 hours each week. PRLC offers flexibility in weekly scheduling and start/end dates. Generally, interns will start in mid-June and end in mid-to-late August. Interns are expected to participate in a public presentation of their work on the evening of August 13, 2025 (Tenatative). Occasional work on Saturdays to help with volunteer work sessions or education events may be required.

Compensation:

A stipend of $2000 to $2,250.00 will be provided (depending on the length of time committed), to be paid in two payments (mid and final). Housing is not offered for this internship.

To apply:

Email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in one document to David Prosser at landsteward@prlc.net. Please label attachments with your name. Deadline to apply is May 15, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning Feb. 1, 2025.