One of the challenges of all conservation organizations in our region is the growth and training of the next generation of conservationists. There is a lot of work to be done, and boots-in-the-field training and experiences close to home can be hard to come by. NWALT has always had excellent seasonal land stewardship interns, many who have gone on to paid and permanent positions with Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, National Parks Service, Arkansas State Parks, The Nature Conservancy, and many others. A new grant from Aerie Real Foundation will help NWALT extend this training and experience to even more budding land stewards.
“A huge hurdle to growing our internship program has been the lack of funding to bring on fresh faces in our industry,” explains Marson Nance. “We’ve been fortunate to have some really talented conservationists intern with us for basically free over the years. This new opportunity allows us to expand and diversify our pool of applicants and give folks a chance to intern who would otherwise need paid seasonal employment. This funding is critical to training the land stewards of the future in our region.”
The Aerie Real Foundation grant will allow NWALT to hire two seasonal interns, one for the 2024 field season and one for spring 2025. Applications are closed for 2024 but are ongoing for the 2025 spring season. For more information, contact Renee Sniegocki at rsniegocki@nwalandtrust.org.
The Aerie Real Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Aerie and American Eagle. Their mission is to build confidence in women, foster an inclusive community, and protect our planet to make the world a better place for all.
