Resource Management Internship

Resource Management Internship

This internship is offered in partnership with Wild Rivers Conservancy and the National Park Service at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Wild Rivers Conservancy is recruiting applicants for up to two Resource Management internships at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway during the summer of 2026. Positions will be temporary, full-time, for a minimum of 10 weeks, beginning May 28th, 2026.

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
 

Wild Rivers Conservancy is a non-profit organization that works to inspire stewardship to forever ensure the rare ecological integrity of the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway. Learn more at: www.wildriversconservancy.org
 

Position Summary
These positions will work within the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway’s Natural Resources Program, which is housed within the Natural Resource Stewardship Division. They will be supervised by the park’s terrestrial biologist and/or aquatic biologist. These internships provide students with practical work experience in natural resource management in a national park.
 

Core Functions
Interns work with the National Park Service Natural Resource Division and other park staff to gain a deeper understanding of the park’s resources and perform biological work to protect the Riverway. Interns will learn about and be engaged primarily with:
● Aquatic species research and monitoring, assisting with mussel inventory/surveys throughout the Namekagon River
● Forest health and terrestrial restoration activities
Other activities may include:
● Assisting with invasive and non-native plant control using hand tools, power tools, and herbicides. Sites will be accessed by vehicle, canoe/kayak, and on foot
● Terrestrial restoration activities such as tree planting, inter-seeding local ecotype seed, and installing erosion control materials
● Terrestrial resource monitoring activities (ex. bat acoustic surveys and invasive species monitoring, plant surveys)
● Aquatic species research and monitoring activities, including fish and native mussel surveys, water quality monitoring, aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, and zebra mussel monitoring
● Outreach activities on resource management projects, issues, and resources to inform and engage partners and local citizens
 

Qualifications
● Must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
● College student or recent graduate with coursework in natural, physical, or cultural sciences; resource interpretation; natural or cultural resource management; outdoor recreation; or park/recreation management
● General knowledge of the National Park Service or St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is helpful 

● Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team, be detail-oriented and organized, and follow oral and written directions
● Good oral and written communication skills and basic computer familiarity
● A valid state driver's license is required
● Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds independently, and up to 50 pounds with assistance
 

Work Site and Conditions
● Interns will be based out of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Headquarters in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
● Work in the field is required and will involve some physical activity, including walking, standing for long periods, carrying a 3-gallon backpack sprayer, and paddling a kayak or canoe at a variety of park locations
● The work schedule is anticipated to be Monday – Thursday, 10-hour days. Due to the nature of the work, this is flexible, with some days lasting 12+ hours, and the ability to adjust other days to fewer hours
● An internship of at least 10 weeks is preferred. Flexibility in the length of the internship is negotiable, but the intern must be able to begin on May 28th, 2025
● A fingerprint and background check are required
 

Benefits
● Food and expense allowance of $500 per month
● Housing is provided for the duration of the internship for those coming from outside the area
● Training in paddling skills and CPR/First Aid
● Training in herbicide application and power tool use, such as chainsaws
● Up to $1500 for college credits/tuition is provided to the school in which the student is enrolled
● With 250 hours worked, you will receive a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies (valid for 12 months after issue)
 

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’re 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 pm on Friday, February 6th, 2026.