Land Stewardship Intern
Summary
In partnership with the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation (SNEC), Avalonia Land Conservancy is seeking two Land Stewardship Interns to join our team from June – August 2025. Designed to provide students with an introduction to a range of land conservation practices, this internship will be under the direction of the Director of Stewardship and serves to assist Avalonia Land Conservancy in the overall care and management of its preserves and conservation easements.
Approximate dates: 11 weeks, June 2– August 15, 2025 (may be adjusted depending upon availability)
Part time: three (3) days per week (7.5 hours per day)
$5,600 stipend (based on 250 hours)
Schedule flexible, to be coordinated with the position supervisor
Occasional weekend requirements
Combination of fieldwork (80%) and office work (20%)
Responsibilities
The interns will work independently, with the Director of Stewardship and volunteers to assist in stewarding preserves. Activities may include:
- Trail and infrastructure design and maintenance to accommodate public access/use
- Implementing land management plans
- Restoring plant and wildlife habitat; managing invasive plant species
- Helping to organize and implement outreach activities and events
- Documenting activities using Landscape land conservation software
Qualifications
Willingness to perform physical labor outdoors including with possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks, sun, heat, and inclement weather.
- Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and reliable transportation
- Ability to safely operate power equipment (i.e., weed whacker, brush mower)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong interpersonal skills; flexibility; self-motivation
- A college student, with enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in natural sciences, environmental studies, land conservation, or related field preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Office programs and ArcGIS Pro mapping is preferred
- Field experience in landscaping, horticulture, or conservation stewardship a plus
About the Organizations
Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation History
The Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation (SNEC) was established in December 2016 by the Grills and Jackson families. Many members of the Grills family worked at the Bradford Dying Association (BDA) in the Bradford section of Westerly, RI since the beginning of the 20th century. When the company went bankrupt in the 70’s, Mr. Richard Grills, who started there as a machine attendant but by then had become the plant manager, partnered with the former owner’s son to restart the company. Together, they would run the mill for the next twenty-five years, employing hundreds and positively impacting the economy of the Greater-Westerly area.
When Mr. Grills retired, he turned his energies toward environmental conservation. He worked with local environmental agencies and donated hundreds of acres of unspoiled land. These donations became the Grills Preserve in Westerly and The Grills Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton, RI; both areas providing hiking access to these environmentally significant areas on the Pawcatuck River.
When BDA ultimately ended operation, a portion of the proceeds were used to establish Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to support students in higher education pursuing studies in Environmental Conservation and Historic Preservation.
Avalonia Land Conservancy Mission and History
Avalonia Land Conservancy (Avalonia) is a non-profit 501c3 regional land trust with a mission to preserve natural habitats in southeastern Connecticut by acquiring and protecting lands and communicating the value of these irreplaceable resources. Headquartered in Mystic, Connecticut, it is nationally accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, and serves southeastern CT, primarily New London County, an area of 21 towns from the Connecticut River east to the Rhode Island state line. Avalonia has permanently conserved over one hundred properties consisting of nearly 5500 acres, a quarter of which fall within the Town of North Stonington. These properties contain a diversity of habitat types many with high conservation value, including more than fifteen within the cross-border Wood Pawcatuck River Watershed. Our mission is funded through a combination of program revenue, grants, and philanthropic gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Partnership
The Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation has partnered with colleges to encourage experiential learning in environmental conservation by college students. Applying college students, and, in some cases, their faculty partners, will work with Avalonia as interns to assist the organization with projects and activities in Environmental Conservation and other related tasks. Avalonia will be the director of intern activities. Grant amount for the student interns and faculty depend on the actual length of the internships as determined by Avalonia but is expected to be 20-25 hours per week for eleven weeks during the summer of 2025 and will be up to $5,600. Intern housing is not included.