Student Conservation Internship at Newton County Government

Description

The Student Conservation Internship Program is an opportunity for Newton County high school seniors to work alongside staff at Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District Office, Department of Natural Resources LaSalle Fish and Wildlife Area, Department of Natural Resources Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, and The Nature Conservancy’s Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands Prairie to learn about and gain direct skills in the field of conservation agriculture and natural resource conservation so that they can be well poised to pursue meaningful careers in conservation.

Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District - https://www.newtoncountyinswcd.com/

Department of Natural Resources LaSalle Fish and Wildlife Area – https://on.IN.gov/lasallefwa

Department of Natural Resources Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area – https://on.IN.gov/willowsloughfwa

The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands – https://www.nature.org/kankakeesands

Jasper Newton Foundation hosts the Student Conservation Interns’ stories about their time as an intern with the Student Conservation Program - https://www.jaspernewtonfoundation.org/get-connected/

Eligible students are those enrolled in North Newton High School or South Newton High School, who have completed 11^th grade and will be entering their 12^th year. Ideal candidates enjoy agriculture and/or nature.

Internship begins in June of the summer before the students’ 12^th grade year and concludes in May of the following year.

The Student Conservation Internship has funding for each student to complete up to 600 hours. There will be opportunities for the students to work up to 40 hours during the summer when school is not in session. During the school year, there will be opportunities for the students to work 12 to 15 hours per week.

Responsibilities

Work alongside Department of Natural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation District, and The Nature Conservancy staff in such activities as the following list, which is not comprehensive:

Planning and attending the Soil and Water annual meeting and outreach events
Conduct field surveys with local area farmers
Assist with taking research data on water quality, plants and wildlife, such as grassland birds, waterfowl, deer, etc.
Collecting, processing and planting native plant seeds
Growing native plants in a greenhouse environment
Attending National Bison Day at Kankakee Sands
Attend professional agency meetings
Removing Beaver Dams
Removing woody brush from woodlands
Removing invasive plant species from natural areas
Creating fliers for and attending community nature-based outreach events
Creating a resume and coverletter
Writing a story about the internship experience
Submitting all hours

Qualifications

Student Conservation Interns will work outside and inside, spending time in the field, in offices, and in partner organization offices. Interns will be working with volunteers and the general public as a part of their internship duties.

When working outdoors, interns can expect to work in any or all of the following conditions: agricultural fields, prairies, woodlands, wetlands, rivers, in the heat, rain, cold and snow, and exposed to mosquitoes, spiders, and ticks.

When working indoors, interns are often assisting with planning and preparing for hosting outreach events, attending meetings and taking meeting minutes, and entering data.

Interns will receive training on all field equipment, and will receive instruction on the Microsoft Suite – Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc.

Interns must commit to showing up on time, having a positive attitude and ready to work and learn!