SUMMER 2026: Mountain Medicine Trail Intern

Name of Organization

Yew Mountain Center

Organization Mission Statement

The Yew Mountain Center provides programs that explore Appalachian ecology, culture, and arts while promoting personal and community wellness.

Name of Internship Role

Mountain Medicine Trail

Mentor(S) Name and Contact

Erica Marks 304-992-8662

Courtney Altice 304-653-4079

Preferred Semesters of Internship 

Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027

Number of Interns Needed for this Role per Semester

One or two

Average Hours per Week of Internship (10, 15, 20)

10-15

Mode of Internship (in-person, remote, hybrid)

hybrid

In-Person Location 

Yew Mountain Center 

9494 Lobelia Rd.

Hillsboro, WV 24946

Hybrid percentage (% in-person/% remote)

50/50 can be flexible

Internship Projects/Tasks/Assignments

The Mountain Medicine Trail is a project of the Yew Mountain Center that highlights the importance of native forest botanicals to the cultural, ecological, and economic landscape of the Appalachian region. It supports forest farmers and other non-timber forest product stakeholders by promoting agritourism, promoting locally and sustainably-sourced products, and educating the public about sustainability concerns of plants such as ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, and ramps. Interns will learn about the Mountain Medicine Trail and create content designed to raise awareness and educate visitors and consumers. The subject-matter focus and presentation style may be tailored to the strengths and interests of the intern candidates. Below are suggested, though not inclusive, activities that may contribute to the deeper understanding of non-timber forest goods and their importance to the region. Additionally, the interns may suggest areas for growth and development of the Mountain Medicine Trail based on their research and experiences on the land.

• Research the historical, economic and cultural impact of the Appalachian root trade. Compile and organize insights into the traditional practices and medicinal uses of WV’s native botanicals to develop a foundational awareness of these heritage traditions. (touching on Granny Witches, Eclectic Schools of Medicine, Herbalism)
• Identify and describe sustainability issues around non-timber forest product commerce–historical and current.
• Interview partners along the Mountain Medicine Trail including regional practitioners, producers, cultivators and other aligned organizations to capture current methodologies, motivators, and trends in the sustainable management and cultivation of non-timber forest products, native botanicals, herbalism, and the economic factors that influence the WV Forest Farming Initiative and the Mountain Medicine Trail.
• Experience the land to explore and document how these themes are represented through the Yew Mountain Center, our forest farm, people, trails, and programs.
• Produce a public-facing slide deck, contribute to our story map, develop a short video series or create other approved informative media that can be incorporated into program and marketing initiatives that tell our unique story and highlight the cultural and economic value of the Mountain Medicine Trail.
• Collaborate with our team to offer well-researched and structured suggestions for content in the development of interactive signage, educational programs, social media and community engagement with our Forest Farm.
• Option to develop an aligned creative product that show cases the intern’s personal experience interacting with the land and the themes explored at the YMC.

Skills Intern May Develop During This Internship

• Research skills - online, print, interviews, site visits
• Online content creation and presentation
• Knowledge of traditions around native Appalachian plants
• Plant identification
• Facility with ARC-GIS mapping software

Previous Skills Intern Would Need to be Successful

• Strong communication skills–could be written, oral, or visual communicators.
• Curiosity and initiative-taking
• Organizational skills to manage tasks and information
• Cultural sensitivity - honor diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences
• Comfort in remote, rural, outdoors settings.
• Collaborative mindset

Additional Notes

• We are able to offer free, rustic accommodations during in-person work in a hostel-like setting and an optional upgrade to one of our guest rooms at the YMC lodge for $30/night.