Environment for the Americas has established numerous partnerships with government agencies and nonprofit organizations to create recurring and special project positions that engage early career professionals in nature-based educational programs, public outreach, and conservation studies.
Partners & Sites 2026
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
Environment for the Americas has been working with multiple USFWS sites in the midwest. Ten positions are expected in 2026; each is unique and centered on wildlife conservation and/or visitor services.
View 2025-2026 internship program report.
US Forest Service- Siuslaw National Forest
A decade long partnership bringing forward recurring interns every spring to engage with the public across central Oregon beaches and recreation areas. Interns focus on endangered bird species education and assist in a variety of fieldwork.
Cameron Park Zoo
In great appreciation of a private donor, the program runs for its second year. Interns receive the opportunity to experience the world of zookeeping. They assist in various departments with animal care, enrichment, and public engagement and education.
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
In 2026 Environment for the Americas partnerd with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for the first time to bring forward two interns working on community science engagement centered around pollinators and raptors.
meet the 2026 interns
Olivia "Liv" Becker
Outdoor Recreation and Community Access Specialist
Bear River National Wildlife Refuge
Jessica Herrera
Bat Acoustic Monitoring Intern
USFWS Minnesota-Wisconsin Ecological Field Service Office
abigail lippert
Imperiled Species Intern
USFWS Michigan Ecological Services Field Office
carter leerhoff
Bumblebee Conservationist Intern
USFWS Minnesota-Wisconsin Ecological Field Service Office
EMARA CLARK
Fish & Wildlife Tech Intern
USFWS Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
Gabe Wahl
Conservation Communication Intern
USFW Indiana Ecological Service Field Office
grace McKissock
Great Lakes Education Intern
USFWS Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
IRIS YEE
Community Science Intern
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Maya chow
Community Science Intern
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
nick athari
Pollinator Conservation Biology Intern
USFWS Michigan Private Lands Office
Meet the 2025 Interns
Cole started his college journey at Michigan Technological University, then transferred and graduated from Michigan State University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Plant Biology with a minor in Forestry. Through his college career, he became increasingly interested in pursuing conservation and restoration. Professionally, he would like to work in conservation and restoration, possibly with the Department of Natural Resources or a similar organization. Before settling in, he would like to try jobs in outreach and education, wildfire management, policy influencing, and research field work! |
Cole Fisher
Imperiled Species Intern
Michigan Ecological Services Field Office
View Blog Posts
Virginia has two Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Science & Communication from the Universidad de Xalapa in Mexico. She has spent 10 years getting experience in communication and marketing activities. She loves working on Social Media, Photography, and Video production, and is excited to apply her skills in a new position. |
Virginia Corona
Education & Community Engagement Specialist
Willamette National Wildlife Refuge Complex
View Blog Posts
Shalese Rhoder is a student at Tarleton State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Veterinary Science. Her coursework and hands-on experiences have strengthened her understanding of animal health, behavior, and welfare, and expanded her interest in working with both domestic and exotic animals.She is pursuing this zoo internship to gain practical experience in behavioral observation, daily animal care, and to learn more about the role zoos play in conservation and public education. She is committed to developing strong animal care skills and contributing to high-quality, ethical practices in the field. |
Shalese Rhoder
Animal Care Intern
Cameron Park Zoo
View Blog Posts
View Video Introduction
Basia studied Environmental Science at Northwestern University, where she also pursued minors in Spanish, Slavic Studies, and Earth & Planetary Sciences. Most recently, she has served as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio. She is excited to continue her work in the field of Environmental Education. |
Basia Gawin
Education Program Intern
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
View Blog Posts
Madison is studying photography at Ventura College and previously studied Communications and Media Studies at Sonoma State University. Madison is passionate about using media to educate and bring people together. Her love for the California coast started in 3rd grade during a trip to Santa Cruz Island, which inspired her dedication to environmental conservation and outreach. |
Madison Hernandez
Education Intern – Channel Islands
David earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Washington State University. After graduation, he joined the Oregon Marbled Murrelet Project, fueling his passion for ornithology and marine biology. Based in Newport, Oregon, David is dedicated to ecosystem restoration and community outreach, working with English Language Development students to make science accessible to the local Latino community. His internship with Environment for the Americas aligns with his goals of advancing seabird research and pursuing a graduate degree at Oregon State University. |
David Cancino
Education and Outreach Intern – Yaquina Head
Litzia earned a B.S. in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz. As a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about making science inclusive and accessible. Her interests lie in marine science, conservation, and community engagement. |
Litzia Galvan
Community Outreach Intern – Whiskeytown
Grace recently graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Biology and a minor in Natural History. Her passion for ecology and conservation led her to pursue fieldwork focused on species impacted by climate change. Grace is especially interested in bats as indicators of biodiversity and plans to pursue a career in field ecology.uring a trip to Santa Cruz Island, which inspired her dedication to environmental conservation and outreach. |
Grace Moore
Bat Acoustic Monitoring and Data Analysis Intern
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Micah earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Emory University, where a passion for native bees and science communication took root. After volunteering with the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Southeastern Center for Conservation, Micah became committed to pollinator protection. As the Bumble Bee Conservationist Intern, Micah is excited to raise awareness about at-risk bee species and plans to pursue graduate studies in entomology, focusing on native bee conservation and taxonomy. |
Micah Sharer
Bumble Bee Conservationist Intern
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Aidan is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where he earned a degree in Wildlife Ecology. Through tours and interpretive programs, he discovered a passion for the educational side of natural resources. That interest led him to his current role as a Visitor Services Intern at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, located just 10 miles down the Mississippi River from where he grew up. His long-term goal is to become a park naturalist and help others connect with and appreciate the natural areas they visit. |
Aidan Coey
Visitor Services Intern
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Meet the 2024 Interns
Hannah is Puerto Rican native and Texas raised. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a dual degree in Environmental Science and Spanish, as well as, a minor in Geography. She has a passion for community engagement and engages in making the outdoors more equitable and accessible. In the future, she hopes to continue a career in environmental education and expand her skills in GIS and remote sensing. |
Hannah Motta
Education & Outreach Intern
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, BLM
Mayra recently graduated from Texas University with a major in Recreation Administration. She is inspired by nature and hopes to become a park ranger and further develop her skills as an interpreter. Her artistic side and past experience working with kids make her a great fit for the conservation education program at Siuslaw National Forest. |
Mayra De La Fuente
Conservation Education Intern
Siuslaw National Forest, USFS
Carla graduated with her degree in Biology with an emphasis in Natural Science from Utah Tech University. Carla has a strong personal motto to give back to what has given to her and Zion has always been a place where she felt at peace. |
Carla Navarrete
Community Outreach Intern
Zion National Park, NPS
View Blog Posts