Kennebec Land Trust

Kennebec Land Trust

Summer Internship

Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) is seeking summer interns to work on trail maintenance and construction, land conservation projects, invasive plant control, educational programming, and general office work such as writing press releases and sending out mailings. Interested applicants should be willing to learn basic plant identification skills, be able to perform physically demanding field work, be comfortable multi-tasking in the office, and have an interest in land conservation.  http://www.tklt.org/Internship.htm 

Independent Research Opportunities

In addition to our Summer Internship Program, KLT provides opportunities for students to conduct independent research focused on wildlife and plant ecology, land use history, and conservation and resource management. This summer we are specifically looking for students to conduct studies focused on 1) the ecological functions and characteristics of mature growth forests 2) the economic and conservation benefits of a local woods market. In addition to these topics, we welcome other project proposals. 

Students’ studies have the potential to enhance KLT’s educational offerings, and to inform property management plans and our land conservation program. KLT will help students frame research questions and identify properties on which to conduct research. We ask that students work with an advisor from their college or university on their independent projects, and that they submit a final report to KLT upon completion of their summer research. 

Rate of pay: Internships with KLT are unpaid. Interns and students conducting independent research projects are encouraged to apply for grant funding or work study funds from their college or university to compensate their time with KLT. KLT will provide mileage at IRS rate for summer interns. Housing is not provided.

KLT supervision: Theresa Kerchner, Executive Director,

and Nicole Rhodes, Conservation Assistant

Hours: Flexible hours; 25-40 hours a week; May/June-August; some weeks may consist of more work hours than others.

Qualifications:

• minimum of one year of college, with preference to students working towards degrees in education, environmental science, biology, land surveying or related degree (or equivalent experience); other majors will be considered

• ability to work independently and as part of a team

• strong organizational and time management skills

• ability to perform moderately strenuous manual labor

• comfortable working outside

• valid drivers license

To apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of two references to the address below by March 29, 2013. Both academic and prior work references are accepted.

Date posted: January 24, 2013

Teresa Withee,

Summer 2012

Amanda Lavigueur,

Summer 2011

Connie Kent,

Summer 2011

Aaron Kaplan,

Summer 2011

Nathalie Woolworth,

Fall 2010

Katie Jennings,

Summer 2010

Wade Davis,

Summer 2010

Katie Epstein,

Summer 2009

My summer working alongside KLT staff and volunteers as an intern was a truly educational and motivating experience. Each person I met possessed a love for the environment and a desire to protect it for our use and the natural world’s use, making each of those people an inspiration to me. From this experience I gained skills that I feel will be helpful in whatever career I eventually choose: skills like grant and press release writing, engaging with the public for educational purposes, and doing effective research. The very fact that my summer research project was on a topic I had absolutely no previous knowledge of (timber harvesting) had an unexpected bonus in that it allowed me to learn about an environmental issue that I hadn’t considered before. I hope to bring what I learned from this experience to a state or national environmental organization next summer.

- Teresa Withee, Bowdoin College, Summer 2012

My summer as an intern with KLT was the most important academic and professional experience I've had to date. It may not have been life-changing, but it was path-affirming. I acquired a variety of skills, including plant and bird identification, grant-writing, and even phone skills. I also had the opportunity to start a research project from scratch, which was both challenging and rewarding. The aspect of the internship I enjoyed most was having the opportunity to work with a variety of people. Everyone I worked with was knowledgeable and helpful, and Theresa went out of her way to allow us to participate in a variety of unique experiences. I found that when you work for a small non-profit, everyone is a valuable member of the team because there is always a task that needs doing. I hope to continue exploring work opportunities in the environmental sector and potentially working for a

non-profit.

- Amanda Lavigueur, Colby College, Summer 2011

I could not have asked for a better summer than this past one, which I spent as an intern with KLT. I had a wonderful time delving into the history of KLT’s Gott Pasture Preserve and researching the family that originally settled there. Through this research, not only did I learn about the history of a unique property, but I also came to realize how much I enjoy the process of investigating the past. It was also great to get outside and explore many of KLT’s properties while working on the trails and on invasive plant control (although I have developed an intense loathing for non-native honeysuckle). Furthermore, I am forever grateful to Theresa, Nathalie, and Gina for helping me develop my grant-writing skills and for acquainting me with all the other tasks that are part of working for a small non-profit.

- Connie Kent, University of Vermont,

Graduate School, Summer 2011

Working for KLT was an amazing experience and a privilege. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work for such an impressive organization and such amazing people. I would like to thank all the KLT staff members, stewards, and volunteers for making my time with KLT a wonderful learning experience. Getting a firsthand look at how non-profit organizations work, learning to write grants, and being able to conduct stewardship work in the field will be invaluable skills for me in my post-college journey. It was great to be able to come to work and spend time in the beautiful Maine outdoors, and to have a hand in protecting this wonderful landscape. The work was challenging but rewarding and I couldn't have wished for a better internship.

- Aaron Kaplan, Bates College, Summer 2011

With just three weeks at KLT under my belt, I have had the good fortune to walk three new KLT trails – a loop on Lake Cobbossee’s Horseshoe Island, and extensions of the Gott Pasture trail in Wayne and the Parker Pond Preserve trail in Fayette. The three September days I chose for exploring these properties were crisp and beautiful. Bright skies brought to life the luster of New England fall in the shifting waters of Lake Cobbossee, Wilson Pond, and Parker Pond.
My first venture, a short boat ride across Lake Cobbossee, brought me to Horseshoe Island. Here I noted the quiet of the island and surrounding waters. Well removed from the sounds of cars and people, Horseshoe Island immediately suggests itself as a spot for quiet reflection – an ideal place to picnic or bring a favorite book.
The Gott Pasture and Parker Pond trails provide access to similarly removed lakefront areas. En route to Wilson Pond, a new Gott Pasture trail (not officially open until Spring 2011) winds through an especially beautiful section of boulders, placed haphazardly by retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago. The Parker Pond trail bends away from the lakeside view atop rocky ledges, towards airy groves of birch and denser sections of hemlock forest.
These new trails, in the bright light of fall, caught my imagination as only quiet places on a beautiful day can. Before the season changes, I encourage you to visit. And then to return as winter, spring, and summer refashion the paths and views in new, equally beautiful ways.

- Nathalie Woolworth, Bates College, Fall 2010

My days as a Summer 2010 Kennebec Land Trust intern consisted of a dynamic mix of activities. I spent an equal amount of time in the field and in the office. It was a perfect balance! When it became too buggy at Gannett, I would retreat to the office to work on advertisements for upcoming KLT events. And when my eyes were fuzzy from staring at the computer too long, I escaped to do trail work at Parker Pond. I initially joined Kennebec Land Trust hoping to learn more about land conservation. I was interested in the values, philosophies, and ideals, but also in the day to day activities required to keep a small non-profit afloat. Through the summer, I was fortunate to be exposed to all these features through KLT.
Land conservation, I learned, was about more than saving trees or a specific endangered frog species. Land conservation is also enormously social, with a focus on saving land for future generations to enjoy. From concept to action, most activities -- from initially setting land aside through long-term property maintenance -- involve a large and active group of volunteers and land stewards. I was surprised by the variety and number of people who participate in land conservation, all with their own reasons for contributing. Land conservation, I realized, is a community activity, conducted by a community for a community.

– Katie Jennings, University of New Hampshire, Summer 2010

One morning I found myself tearing up invasive honeysuckle in a mosquito-infested forest in central Maine. That afternoon I was in the office typing a press release to announce the Kennebec Land Trust’s new book. The next morning I was leading thirty first-graders on a nature walk. My time at KLT was filled with a well-balanced variety of field and office work. I blazed trails, attended a forestry conference, created a property brochure, researched a grant, wrote press releases, managed invasive plants, and much more. My experience at KLT has taught me that effective land conservation occurs on the very localized level. I learned that a successful land conservation movement requires a community-wide effort with strong partnerships and committed individuals drawn from the full spectrum of land users and landowners. The KLT internship provided me with the opportunity to meaningfully experience the many layers of land conservation.

– Wade Davis, Williams College, Summer 2010

I can’t imagine a better summer than this past one working with the KLT. I was able not only to practice and hone some valuable interview and writing skills, but to spend time exploring beautiful trails. It is now clear to me that community and conservation are inextricably intertwined. Knowing that small spaces and places make a big difference, I hope to continue working with grassroots level conservation in the future.

- Katie Epstein, Davidson College, Summer 2009

It is hard to accurately depict the way I felt while working for KLT. I can describe the company: the board members were amiable and engaged in the work we were doing, the land owners were passionate about conserving their properties for future generations, and our boss, Theresa, truly cared for her interns, made sure we enjoyed and were comfortable with our work, and kept us focused so that we could accomplish as much as possible. In fewer words, working with the KLT was awesome.

- Bryan Prelgovisk, Colby College, Summer 2009

I worked this summer to address erosion issues from foot traffic and motorized vehicles, then progressed toward controlling invasive plant species. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to learn and work with my community, while doing hands-on work that produced immediate, visible results.

- Colin Jones, Brevard College, Summer 2009

I enjoy being in the middle of the woods while observing the topography, vegetation, and animal life. I feel in touch with the past when I use stone walls and old woods roads as landmarks during my pursuit of barberry eradication at the Curtis property.

- Josh Lake, Bates College, Summer and Fall 2009

Working at the KLT this summer was an interesting and exciting way to get involved in environmental work in an area near my home. I especially enjoyed the process of getting to know the various local properties. The past summer made me realize there are a lot more easily accessible scenic areas than I'd known before.

- Sam Whittemore, MIT, Summer 2009