Alachua Conservation Trust Natural Resource Internship

The mission of Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is to protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around North Central Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements in 16 counties.

Each semester (Spring, Summer, and Fall), ACT hosts a Natural Resource Management Internship program (https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/natural-resource-internship) ACT’s Natural Resource Management Internship program is focused on providing a safe learning environment for natural resource skills and experiences. The overall program objectives for ACT’s Natural Resource Internship include: 1) To prepare future natural resource/conservation professionals with the experiences, skills, tools, and professional connections to provide a foundation for a career in natural resources and 2) To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of natural resources. Overall Learning Goals for the intern program include: 1) To gain experience in land management activities, including invasive species management, preserve management, trail work, thinning, prescribed fire, and surveying/monitoring, 2) To develop skills in using equipment used in land management activities, 3) To develop professional skills relevant to any professional setting, including time management, communication, and goal-setting, 4) To build a network of natural resource professionals, 5) To narrow down what you want in a career, and 6) To learn to identify plants, wildlife, and ecosystems in North Central Florida. We accomplish these learning goals through participating in projects alongside ACT’s land management team. While there will be formal training for some skills, most training is hands-on in the field. Interns will also set and follow through with individual goals through a Professional Development Plan with guidance from the intern program coordinator.

This internship meets 2 days/week for the duration of the semester (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday).  Work days start at 8:30am and end at 3:30pm at Prairie Creek Lodge (7204 County Road 234, Gainesville), and interns are expected to attend both days each week throughout the duration of the internship.

Summer semester applications are due Friday, April 7th. The Summer Semester will start the 4th week of May and end the 2nd week of August.