Accessibility Internship Program - Environment for the Americas

ACCESSIBILITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMs

Accessibility to Careers and Programs on Public Lands

Environment for the Americas coordinates two programs focusing on accessibility:

The Let’s Go Birding Internship Program, a partnership between Environment for the Americas, Birdability, and the National Park Service, aims to ensure all people can experience the joy of birding. Interns work to reduce barriers to birding, working to ensure individuals with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illnesses, intellectual or developmental disabilities, neurodivergence, and those who are deaf or hard of hearing enjoy equal access to recreation in National Park Service sites.

The program enhances wildlife education and birding experiences at National Parks. Additionally, by promoting World Migratory Bird Day as an educational campaign, it aims to connect people to the incredible world of birds.

In Boulder, Colorado, we also coordinated the Accessible Outdoor Experiences Program in 2025, funded by Boulder County Parks & Open Space. It played a vital role in reviewing park facilities and programming to identify accessible programming opportunities within Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Interns developed activities tailored to specific accessibility challenges and addressing site-specific issues. They largely did this by piloting outdoor activities in parks around Boulder County and refining them based on feedback. Community outreach and engagement, with a focus on strengthening connections with disability-serving organizations, are major priorities of the program.

Qualification requirements for Let’s Go Birding:

Under Public Land Corps requirements, as provided by the Office of Personnel Management, you MUST be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. legal resident to be eligible for any position.
Must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
If you are a veteran, you may apply up to age 35.
Related educational background and interests preferred.

2026 Let's Go Birding interns

Lily Zavarella is a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology with a concentration in ecology, with particular interests in herpetology, ornithology, and entomology shaped by exploring the Appalachian temperate rainforest. She is excited to discover the biodiversity of Colorado National Monument and share that experience with others. She believes deeply in inclusive access to the outdoors, and that everyone deserves the joy of observing the natural world.

Lily Zavarella

Colorado National Monument

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Aidan Brown is a senior at Longwood University finishing a B.S. in Special Education (K–12) with a minor in Theatre. His background spans disability services in higher education, accessibility work at the Kennedy Center, and job coaching for adults with disabilities. He hopes to bring these experiences into this internship as he works toward teaching middle school math and developing an adaptive arts program for students with disabilities.

Aidan Brown

Rocky Mountain National Park

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Zackary Benz is a junior Wildlife Biology student at Murray State University with a lifelong passion for birds, including four years volunteering at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis and visits to 18 national parks. As a disabled person with autism and ADHD, he brings a personal lens to accessibility in conservation spaces. He hopes to build on this internship experience toward a career in a conservation-focused environment such as a zoo or sanctuary.

ZackARY Benz

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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AG Yurkutat is a student at William and Mary majoring in Integrative Conservation with a minor in Geospatial Analysis, with interests spanning ecology, wildlife conservation, and environmental justice. Their love of birds began in childhood, watching feeders in their North Carolina backyard. They now hope to channel that enthusiasm into environmental education. Drawing on their own experience with chronic pain, they are committed to supporting more accessible approaches to birding.

AG YurKuTAT

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

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Vincent Pearson is an Environmental Science and Biology major at Millsaps College who has been birding since age 13. He is passionate about science communication and eager to share his love of the outdoors and environmental knowledge with the public.

Vincent Pearson

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

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Amanda Charter is completing a B.A.S. in Peace and Conflict Studies and Environmental Studies at Kent State University, with a focus on equity and inclusion in outdoor spaces. As a person with disabilities with disabled family members, she has firsthand insight into the barriers that limit access in public spaces, including national parks. She brings this perspective to her work in birding and the outdoors, motivated by a commitment to making natural spaces more inclusive for everyone.

Amanda Chanter

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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2025 Let's Go Birding interns

Diego Benites, a senior at Saint Anselm College, is completing a double major in History and American Studies. This fall, he will begin a Master’s in Public History at UMass Amherst. Passionate about public history and accessibility, he brings unique insights to his internship focused on community engagement and inclusion.

Diego Benites

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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George Brooder, a student at San Francisco State University, is pursuing a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration with a Biology minor. Passionate about wildlife, particularly birds, George joined the internship to align with his goal of working in the National Park Service. He looks forward to connecting the public with Bay Area wildlife while gaining hands-on experience and practical skills. This opportunity also supports his plans for future graduate studies in the natural sciences.

George Brooder

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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Connor is a master’s student in Environmental Education at the University of South Carolina. Connor serves as Vice President of the Midlands Bird Society and South Carolina’s first Birdability Captain. They aspire to become an Environmental Education Coordinator, making parks more inclusive and accessible for all while fostering a love of nature and birds.

Connor Chilton

Rocky Mountain National Park

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Gabriel is a Physical Education and Recreation student at Gallaudet University and a dedicated athlete on the football team. Growing up exploring nature with his dog, he developed a passion for wildlife, inspired by figures like Steve Irwin and Jeremy Wade. Gabriel’s love for hiking and the outdoors drives his goal of creating inclusive outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Gabriel A. Dominguez

George Washington Memorial Parkway

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Adelaide Lazarski, an Environmental Science and Biology major at Willamette University, is passionate about animal conservation and accessible education. She serves as a STEM resident advisor and works on campus. Adelaide values community in science and enjoys organizing events that unite scientists. Inspired by her love for birds and nature, she hopes to build a career with the National Park Service or nature centers, connecting people to conservation and creating a shared appreciation for the natural world.

Adelaide Lazarski

Indiana Dunes National Park

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Zoe graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2024 with degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies. Passionate about environmental stewardship, they are eager to gain hands-on experience and explore career paths that restore the planet and strengthen people’s connection to it. Their interests include ecological restoration and supporting Indigenous land rights. Zoe is committed to finding meaningful, effective ways to contribute to a more sustainable and just world.

Zoe K. McCrea

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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Irlanda developed her love for wildlife and natural history in the Sonoran Desert. She earned a bachelor's degree in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado Denver and has a background in vertebrate paleontology and museum education. She is passionate about sharing science, especially with children. In her free time, Irlanda enjoys hiking, bird watching, snowboarding, and exploring museums..

Irlanda Bresnahan Moreno

Rocky Mountain National Park

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Karli earned her degrees in Cultural and Medical Anthropology from UCF. Her work centers on healthcare education, accessibility, and medical decision-making. She plans on continuing her education and pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology next fall. Passionate about birdwatching and equity, she is excited to assess accessibility at Indiana Dunes National Park and support the "Let’s Go Birding" program.

Karli Reeves

Indiana Dunes National Park

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Maizy is a Biology major with a Chemistry minor at Gallaudet University. Her interests focus on microbial and environmental sciences, exploring the vital roles of bacteria in ecosystems. Growing up in Idaho fostered her passion for nature and inclusivity in science. She’s excited to contribute to the National Park Service through the “Let’s Go Birding” internship, gaining experience and growing as a scientist.