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Conservation Apprentice

Employer
westchester land trust
Location
Bedford Hills, New York
Salary
$21/hour
Closing date
Feb 14, 2025
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Sector
Nonprofit
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Other
Job Level
Entry level
Salary Type
Hourly
Employment Type
Temporary / Seasonal

Job Details

Westchester Land Trust’s conservation apprenticeship program is designed to provide high school graduates and college students an authentic paid experience to explore and pursue a career in conservation. We aim to balance fieldwork with office-based work and expect a ratio of 65% field to 35% office work. The goals of the conservation apprenticeship are to:

  • Introduce apprentices to the nonprofit conservation sector, and land trusts specifically.
  • Learn how a land trust operates, including understanding the fundamentals of preserve management, easement stewardship, land protection, communications, and development.
  • Practice communication skills, which may include professional presentations, reports, video, and social media.
  • Build leadership skills by supervising volunteer events on our preserves.
  • Develop critical thinking and project management skills through completion of a final project.

 

For 2025, WLT is seeking two passionate apprentices with field or outdoor education experience. Students with experience working in crews to accomplish stewardship projects, such as Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team, or similar field-based experiences, are especially encouraged to apply.

Approximately 60% of the apprenticeship will focus on preserve management (visitor experience, invasive species management, meadow and forest restoration), conservation easement stewardship, and land protection under the mentorship of WLT’s stewardship and land protection team which includes the vice president of conservation, preserve manager, conservation technician, land protection manager, and conservation easement steward. Additionally, the apprentices will spend time supporting WLT’s food pantry garden under the supervision of WLT’s farmer.

Apprentices will shadow WLT staff responsible for other aspects of WLT’s work to learn about and support nonprofit management, urban engagement, fundraising, communications, and community engagement. This may include creating social media content, guest authoring newsletter articles, crafting outreach and fundraising content, and co-leading volunteer and educational programs.

Additional work will include visitor experience and accessibility improvements at preserves, field-based and office-based projects at Sugar Hill Farm.

 

Company

Founded in 1988, Westchester Land Trust (WLT) works together with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity, and to protect and enhance the natural resources in our communities. Since then, WLT has preserved approximately 7,500 acres through accepting the donations of conservation easements, or by accepting the donation of parcels of land by the transfer of ownership. WLT’s conservation efforts impact the long-term health of the cities, towns and villages of Westchester and Eastern Putnam Counties through protection of watersheds, wildlife, air and water quality, and local food supply.  WLT is an accredited land trust by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.   

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