Arlie Schardt Memorial International Forests & Land Fellow

Friends of the Earth US is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for five decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

FOE envisions a world where we live within the ability of the planet to sustain life, and in which all people live with dignity, health and equity. We believe that both environmental crises, as well as widespread social injustice, are intertwined symptoms of flawed ideological, economic and political systems that are violating peoples’ rights, perpetuating oppression, failing to meet the needs of people, and destroying the planet.

Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth Action provides the extra political muscle to our sister organization, Friends of the Earth US.

FOE Action works on a dynamic set of intersectional issues knowing that we cannot build a healthy and just world without addressing the interconnectedness of society’s injustices. We not only fight for laws and lawmakers that will echo that mission but also help the public join in the political battle as well. We believe that unprecedented political action from across the nation will put the United States, and hopefully our planet, on a sustainable path. 

We believe that increasing racial diversity within environmental organizations is critical to the future success of our movement. Our Fellowship program is designed to increase the long-term effectiveness of FOE and the environmental movement by operating an inspiring and fulfilling fellowship program that builds skills and relevant job experience for people of color and members of underrepresented communities.

Our vision of the Arlie Schardt Memorial (ASM) Fellowship program is to create career experience, pathways, and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, People of Color in underrepresented communities who are interested in environmental advocacy. Arlie W. Schardt was a pioneering voice for the environment and witness to some of the most seminal events in American history as a Time magazine correspondent traveling with Martin Luther King while covering the civil rights movement. Throughout his peripatetic 50-year career, Schardt reported on and acted on behalf of social justice. Al Gore states, “Through his remarkably diverse career, Arlie Schardt lived a life of purpose and impact,” said the former Vice President. “He was a champion for civil rights and an early pioneer of the environmental movement. I valued greatly his commitment to public service and will always be grateful for the invaluable roles he played on my Presidential campaign.” Schardt joined Friends of the Earth (FOE), serving as Chairman of the Board from 2009 until June 2019 when he was named chair emeritus in honor of his service. According to Erich Pica, president of FOE, “Arlie was instrumental in tripling the size of the organization and broadening its mandate to combine his concerns for social and racial justice with environmentalism.”

For our program, we are prioritizing communities that are underrepresented in the mainstream environmental movement. Women, people of color, and youth are highly encouraged to apply. If you do not identify as part of an underrepresented community, that is not a disqualification, and we encourage you to apply as well.

About the Fellowship  

Each year, we welcome a cohort of five Fellows to work with us full-time (37.5 hours p/wk) for six (6) months. The fellowship begins in March 2026 and ends in September 2026.This year the Fellowship Program will be in a remote position with an in-person component. Fellows are paid $25/hour, will receive a one-time stipend of $1,000 and three (3) floating holidays. The application deadline is 5:00 pm EST, Friday, December 26. If there is a large influx of applicants, the position may close earlier than the specified date. 

Fellows are placed within teams in our Programs Department. In addition to substantive work with the teams, the Fellowship program also includes networking and career development opportunities.

About our International Forests and Land Team Fellowship Position 

The International Forests Program sits within FoE’s Economic Policy team and carries out campaigns to address the economic drivers of tropical deforestation and land conversion. The program works with organizations and communities on the frontlines of tropical deforestation and associated abuses of human rights, and with worldwide coalitions of NGOs and social movement groups, to carry out campaigns to defend the rights and territories of forest-dwelling communities. The primary driver of tropical deforestation is the expansion of agribusiness for producing palm oil, soy, cattle and other ‘soft commodities;’ the program, therefore, has a focus on transforming food systems and shifting the financial incentives behind agribusiness expansion. The International Forests and Land team fellow will have opportunities to conduct research into corporate consolidation, contribute to communications materials, participate in strategic campaign planning processes, support the logistics of organizing an international coalition strategy convening, and network with other environmental and human rights advocates. The fellow will work under the guidance of core team members to conduct research, draft advocacy materials, and may be asked to provide additional support to the Programs, Communications and Development Departments, as needed.

The fellowship will include periodic opportunities for direct mentorship. The fellowship is expected to result in increased understanding of the approaches taken in international advocacy campaigns, including the types of research required, the ethics and best practices for supporting frontline struggles for environmental justice, and the challenging questions of how to design strategic interventions in a dynamic context. The fellow may be asked to lead or co-lead a research project. 

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities for each Fellowship varies, but typically Fellows:

• Perform research, writing and editing
• Assist with political and public policy advocacy
• Take part in outreach and communications efforts
• Help organize people and events
• Participate in strategy, planning, and campaign meetings

Qualifications:

No specific academic or professional experience is required, but we are looking for people who are passionate about the environment and/or social justice. An environmental background, and previous (volunteer or paid) experience in non-profit organizations, advocacy, political campaigns are pluses.

Qualified applicants must be:

• At least 18 years of age
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Committed to environmental and social justice
• Able to work 37.5 hours per week, 9-5 in their respective time zone
• Able to work well in team setting
• Motivated, and willing to learn and take initiative
• Able to use Microsoft Office suite products such as Excel and Word, and Google applications

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire.