Who We Are:
Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.
Salary/Hourly Rate: $16/hr
Hours per week: approx. 20 hours
Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal
Job Type: Onsite
Duration: 6-weeks (June 29-August 7)
Location: Cape Poge, Wasque Reservation, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, Menemsha Hills, The Brickyard Reservation, Mytoi Garden, FARM Institute
Internship program field trips: Aquinnah Cultural Center, BiodiversityWorks, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Great Pond Foundation, Polly Hill Arboretum, Island Grown Initiative, MV Museum
What You’ll Do:
Your Impact:
The Trustees of Reservations is seeking high school applicants to participate in the Environmental Training Summer Internship through the Claire Saltonstall Education Program. This internship offers in-depth learning and leadership opportunities for high school students interested in outdoor environmental work. This Environmental Training Internship is a 6-week commitment, up to 20 hours a week (July & August). The goal of this program is to provide you with the opportunity to explore future career options in the fields of environmental science and conservation & resource management. Through this program, you will not only work with The Trustees, but also attend field trip days to other non-profit island organizations. This rare opportunity will provide you with an in-depth understanding of non-profit environmental work on Martha’s Vineyard.
The Role:
As an Environmental Training Intern, you will gain practical experience in the following areas:
- Environmental Education: Interns work closely with The Trustees place-based education program to advance knowledge across the Island on climate change impacts, sustainability, and threats and adaptation opportunities for the delicate ecological systems on Martha’s Vineyard.
- Stewardship Management: Interns work with The Trustees Stewards and Rangers as “rangers-in-training” assisting in the many systems and mechanics required to provide special care, stewardship, and maintenance to the properties.
- Shorebird Management: Interns experience what it is like to work in the field as an ecological scientist. They assist with rare species habitat delineation, protection of shorebird habitat from adverse impacts, and rare species population monitoring and data collection.
- Horticulture: Fine gardens and historic and cultural landscapes are rooms with detailed vistas purposefully decorated with unique plant forms, shapes, colors and textures. They are art in life with need of great care, attention, and understanding of the culture and history behind them. Our Environmental Interns work at The Trustees Japanese-inspired Mytoi fine garden to assist in the intricate work, history, and documentation of plantings required to make Mytoi such a beloved garden to the community.
- Public Interpretation: The landforms and rare environments on Martha’s Vineyard are beloved by all. Interns learn alongside tour staff how to lead a guided group.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Interns visit The FARM Institute to learn about farm operations and educational programming within a teaching farm.
Additionally, interns will participate in a weekly field trip to other non-profit island organizations. Each field trip day will include hands-on learning with these partner organizations:
- Aquinnah Cultural Center (www.aquinnah.org): Providing cultural education and tribal engagement
- BiodiversityWorks (www.biodiversityworksmv.org): Promote conservation of biodiversity through wildlife research and monitoring while providing opportunities for people to engage in hands-on nature study.
- Great Pond Foundation (www.greatpondfoundation.org): Leader in estuary science and restoration, using data generated by our programs for informed pond management
- Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation (www.sheriffsmeadow.org): Conserve the natural, beautiful, rural landscape and character of Martha’s Vineyard for present and future generations.
- Island Grown Initiative (www.igimv.org): Build a regenerative and equitable food system with the Martha’s Vineyard community.
- Polly Hill Arboretum (www.pollyhillarboretum.org): Perpetuate the experimental tradition in horticulture established by Polly Hill by sharing knowledge of plants and scientific procedure through educational programs, research, plant conservation, and exploration.
- Martha’s Vineyard Museum (www.mvmuseum.org): Discover, explore, and strengthen your connection to Martha’s Vineyard and its diverse heritage.
The internship will involve work on Trustees properties on Martha’s Vineyard, which include Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, Long Point Wildlife Refuge, Menemsha Hills/The Brickyard Reservation, Mytoi Garden, and The FARM Institute.
You will be expected to work for 3 days/week for 6 weeks starting the week of June 30 and ending the week of August 4.
Specifically, you’ll:
- Attend Environmental Training Program Orientation at the Aquinnah Cultural Center.
- Work 3 days/week for 6 weeks starting the week of June 29 and ending the week of August 4 (additional remote work hours in final week to complete final project).
- Have transportation to a designated meeting site (including Chappaquiddick Island). All ferry costs to/from Chappaquiddick properties will be covered.
- Willingly assist with hands-on tasks that include education and presentation to the public, participation in water activities, raking and property clean-up, trail maintenance and brush clearing, and be willing to travel by over-sand vehicles, kayak, utility vehicle, or by foot.
- Assist in outreach activities such as delivering presentations to community groups and staffing informational tables at public events.
- Complete a cumulative project based on the internship experience and present this project to Trustees staff and/or the public.
- Complete an end-of-internship evaluation and be available to provide feedback for the organization in future years.
- Maintain all Trustees safety procedures and follow official rules and regulations of each property.
This is a seasonal, nonexempt position reporting to the Islands Education Manager.
What You’ll Need:
Skills and Experience:
- Be in grades 9-12 or a 2025 high school graduate.
- A strong interest in outdoor environmental careers.
- Demonstrate maturity, dependability, leadership and the ability to work independently and alongside a team.
- Interpersonal and oral communication skills.
- Willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
- Residents of Martha’s Vineyard are highly encouraged to apply.
- Bilingual skills (English/Portuguese) are a plus!
Eligibility Criteria:
- Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
- A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.
- If under the age of 18, you will need to secure a work permit.
- You will be required to work outdoors and in all weather conditions.
Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.
Have Questions? Contact our People Team at people@thetrustees.org!
Your Benefits:
- Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
- Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.
Equal Opportunity and Diversity:
The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.
The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.
