INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION
Internship Title: Conservation Policy & Advocacy Summer Intern
Organization Description: The Audubon Naturalist Society is the oldest independent
environmental organization in the Washington, DC region. A pioneer in linking conservation
activities with environmental education, ANS seeks to create a larger and more diverse community of
people who treasure the natural world and work to preserve it. We inspire residents of the greater
Washington, DC, region to appreciate, understand, and protect their natural environment through
outdoor experiences, education, and advocacy. ANS:
• Reaches more than 9,000 children each year through school, family, and camp programs
• Offers adults a rich variety of natural history classes, outings, and travel experiences
• Works with civic and environmental groups on conservation issues, such as water quality,
watershed and rural lands protection, and climate change
• Manages the Woodend Nature Sanctuary and operates a Naturalist Shop in Chevy Chase, MD
• Publishes the Naturalist Quarterly four times a year and the Audubon eNEWS monthly
ANS’ Conservation Program:
• Analyzes and advocates for better environmental policies and land-use decisions in DC and its
surrounding MD & VA jurisdictions, with a focus on climate change, water quality and green
infrastructure
• Works with community groups and grassroots organizations to provide advocacy and stewardship
training to families, youth, and adults
• Hosts outreach events teaching about stream health through the lens of our innovative “Creek
Critters” smartphone app
• Runs a citizen-science water monitoring program that for 25 years has been studying the
health of streams around the region
• Helps plan for stewardship and conservation of our flagship, 40-acre Woodend sanctuary
Intern Position Description: ANS’ Conservation Program seeks an intern to research important
conservation issues in our region to support our environmental policy & advocacy program area.
Hours per week: 40.
Duration of internship: May/June – August 2020 (10 weeks, start and end dates negotiable within
that approximate time range)
Intern Supervisor: Eliza Cava, Director of Conservation Program
Send resume and short cover letter to [email protected] by April 30th, 2020.
Responsibilities: The Conservation Policy & Advocacy Intern will work with the
Conservation
Director and Advocacy team to support ANS’ environmental protection work. Specific responsibilities
include:
• Research and analyze local or state laws, regulations, policies, and land-use decisions
• Research local water quality science and issues
• Write summary memos or give presentations to Conservation Program staff and volunteers
• Write blog posts and action alerts
• Attend and help organize events such as rallies or meetings with decision-makers
• Make graphics, charts, and maps to publicize findings of research
Qualifications:
• Required qualifications include:
o fast learner and excited to learn skills quickly
o strong research and writing skills
o an interest in and commitment to environmental protection and/or science
o good people skills and ability to relate to and speak in front of a wide variety of audiences
o facility with technology such as smartphone apps, databases, blogs, social media
• Desired qualifications include, in any combination:
o Familiarity with ArcGIS or other mapping software
o database programming and data/chart visualization of a Salesforce database
o knowledge of any of the following: stream ecology and/or hydrology, watershed health, green
infrastructure, stormwater management.
o social media marketing and/or blogging
o photo or video editing skills
o knowledge of local communities in DC, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and/or Fairfax
counties
Salary and Benefits: This internship is unpaid and intended for a match with a student who
can apply for university, foundation, or other stipend funding. The organization may be able to
connect the intern with a member or board member who can provide low-cost housing. Benefits
include:
• Free ANS membership for one year
• 20% discount for ANS adult programs.
• If space is available, free participation in ANS adult programs.
• 20% discount at Sanctuary Shop.
• Opportunity to participate in staff and committee meetings
• Opportunity to interview the ANS Executive Director and other staff
Location and Transportation
Woodend Nature Sanctuary – 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
ANS is 3-miles from the Bethesda Metro Station. There is a shuttle that runs from the metro station
to the Chevy Chase Supermarket. From the market, it is a 10 minute (1.0 mile) walk to ANS.
The J2 bus leaves from the Bethesda metro station and drops off on the corner of East-West Highway.
It
is a one mile walk to ANS.
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