Winnakee’s Stewardship Internship Program Supports the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
Winnakee’s Stewardship Internship Program offers students and early-career professionals valuable, hands-on experience in conservation, land management, and field research. Interns gain practical skills while working alongside staff at an accredited land trust, making meaningful contributions to the protection and stewardship of natural landscapes.
In return, interns provide vital support during our busiest season, allowing us to expand our capacity and advance more conservation projects across the region.
This summer, we’re excited to welcome two dedicated interns who have been hard at work on a variety of stewardship initiatives, including:
- Supporting our turtle monitoring project through trapping and telemetry to better understand habitat use on Winnakee preserves
- Mapping oak mortality to assess the impact of spongy moth defoliation on forest health
- Conducting field monitoring of conservation easements to ensure long-term protection of their ecological values
- Assisting with trail construction at Robert’s Refuge to improve public access and enhance visitor experience
Hannah is a recent graduate with a B.S. in Conservation Biology who has a strong interest in fieldwork and species conservation. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, she’s currently building hands-on experience in land stewardship and ecological research. Her goal is to become a field biologist, working to protect and restore natural ecosystems.
Michaela is a rising senior at Wesleyan University, studying Earth and environmental science and education studies. She is primarily interested in understanding anthropogenic impacts on local ecology and biodiversity, especially relating to freshwater turtles. She’s excited to be working with Winnakee this summer and will be writing her thesis based on our turtle population project and effective community environmental education.
