Winter quarter internship…

The intern will perform research related to types of Habitat Conservation and Voluntary Stewardship Programs currently taking place, with the purpose of comparing, contrasting, and analyzing methods and effectiveness of voluntary incentive-based conservation programs. This work will aid in the development of the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) in Thurston County, which is an alternative and collaborative approach for the protection of critical areas on agricultural lands. Instead of enacting further critical areas regulation on agricultural lands, the VSP allows the county to work closely with stakeholders to develop voluntary, site-specific stewardship plans. The intern has the opportunity to work from home but will meet weekly with the field supervisor and write a final report comparing and contrasting voluntary incentive-based conservation programs

Self-motivated with good time management skills necessary for the completion of independent projects. Excellent research and writing skills. Experience with data collection and analysis and writing technical documents. Knowledge of environmental issues, collaborative watershed management, habitat conservation, and agricultural land preservation is a plus but only the desire to learn is required.

The intern is expected to learn about voluntary incentive-based conservation programs, best management practices, environmental politics, critical areas, habitat conservation, watershed management, agricultural land preservation, and natural resource protection as well as Thurston County’s collaborative program development and planning process.

Please email a brief cover letter, resume, and writing sample to watersc@co.thurston.wa.us