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Land Conservation and Outreach Intern

Wild Rivers Conservancy is recruiting applicants for up to two Land Conservation and Outreach internships during the summer of 2026. Positions will be temporary, full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks, beginning Thursday, May 28th, 2026.

Wild Rivers Conservancy is the official non-profit partner of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. We inspire stewardship to forever ensure the rare ecological integrity of the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway. Learn more at: www.wildriversconservancy.org.

The Riverway, one of the nation’s first wild and scenic rivers, is a National Park consisting of 255 river miles that flow through some of the most scenic and least developed land in the Upper Midwest. Learn more at: www.nps.gov/sacn.

Position Summary
This position is with Wild Rivers Conservancy in Osceola, Wisconsin, and the selected intern(s) will be supervised by the Climate Resiliency Specialist. The internship's primary purpose will be to aid in promoting permanent land protection opportunities to landowners on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix Watershed.
This internship will provide applicants with practical work experience in the fields of graphic design, communication and outreach, event planning, GIS mapping, as well as public engagement and education. Interns will have the opportunity to learn new skills from a variety of agencies and organizations, all while making a tangible difference in the ecological health of the St. Croix Watershed.

Core Functions
● Develop effective education and outreach materials to targeted private landowners within the nine counties on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River Watershed. Intern(s) will work with the Climate Resiliency Specialist to develop creative promotion strategies with a goal of connecting landowners to our land protection partners and their associated land protection strategies. Intern(s) are expected to craft, develop, and conduct at least one landowner-focused outreach campaign during the course of this internship. Education and outreach materials and events
created during this internship will be evaluated for effectiveness in terms of the number of landowners reached, landowner response, engagement rate, and desired outcomes achieved.
○ Education and outreach activities could include: conducting landowner interviews, in-person landowner surveys, video production, in-person events (Priority goals), as well as the potential for newsletter drafts, social media and blog posts, targeted mailings, movie screenings, and/or newspaper ads.
● Educate the public about the importance of land stewardship for watershed health and inform landowners of the opportunities available to them to make responsible land stewardship decisions easier and more affordable.
● Collaborate and assist partners with event planning and program promotion as their needs call for (e.g., creating event flyers and social media posts for event promotion).
● Represent the Conservancy and table at relevant community events, such as eco-fairs, conservation celebrations, and landowner workshops.
● Work with many diverse partners, including local, state, and federal government agencies throughout the watershed.
● Create GIS maps (depending on experience) to improve targeted outreach efforts for land protection.
● Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
● Required
○ Must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States with a valid state driver’s license
○ Coursework in natural resources, outreach and communication, marketing, or a related field. Other majors or courses of study will be considered, but some background in natural resources is preferred
○ Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team, be detail-oriented and organized, and follow oral and written directions
○ Ability to work with a flexible and changing schedule. Must be able to work long days, weekends, and evenings when required
○ Good oral and written communication skills
○ Ability to be professional when representing Wild Rivers Conservancy with stakeholders, partners, and the general public
○ Must be able to begin internship on Thursday, May 28th, 2026
● Preferred
○ A passion for protecting natural lands from development
○ General knowledge of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
○ Demonstrated ability to understand and use ArcGIS software
○ Graphic design experience using Canva, Adobe, or other design software
○ Video production experience
○ Experience with landowners or landowner associations such as Minnesota Women’s Woodland Network, Minnesota Forestry Association, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, or others
○ Experience planning events from start to finish
● Note
○ All applications will be considered. Even if you do not meet every qualification, please apply if you believe this position is a good fit for your professional goals and existing experience.

Work Site and Conditions
● Interns will be based at the Wild Rivers Conservancy office in Osceola, WI. Intern(s) can plan to work primarily in the office but may be able to work on a hybrid schedule with supervisor approval.
● This position will be primarily computer-based (85% office) and will require long hours of sitting and screen time. Work in the field may be required on a limited basis.
● There will be travel throughout the St. Croix watershed, primarily in Minnesota and potentially in Wisconsin.
● Personal vehicle use may be necessary on days when a work vehicle is not available. All personal vehicle mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate of $0.70/mile.
● Schedules can be variable or on a week-to-week basis.
● Assistance is given in finding affordable, temporary housing options, if needed.
● Training in paddling skills, CPR/First Aid, and any necessary training to perform internship duties will be provided.

Position and Wage Details
This is a temporary, full-time internship ranging from 32-40 hours weekly for a minimum of 10 weeks at a wage of $15/hr.

How to Apply
Send all of the following information:
1. Cover letter. State the internship you are applying for, why you are interested in the internship, and in working at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
2. Detailed resume, including work experience
3. Three references
You may apply for more than one internship position. If you choose to do so, please send a single email with all of your application materials attached, and list the specific positions you are applying for in the body of the email.

Email to:
Wendy Tremblay
Community Engagement Manager
Wild Rivers Conservancy
wtremblay@wildriversconservancy.org
(715) 483-3300 x 30

Deadline - Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 6th, 2026.