The Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Internship Program

Connecting the next generation of conservationists to meaningful work in the field!

 By supporting the internship program, you’re supporting a brighter future for Maine students and Maine land trusts.

Building trust. Sustaining relationships. Creative problem solving. The values at the heart of Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s conservation ethic are core goals of the Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation Internship Program. Check out the video below to learn more.

Learn more about the program

Connecting students with meaningful paid work

The program provides paid summer internships to Maine college students seeking experience in land conservation. Recruiting is directed to colleges and universities where students may not otherwise have opportunities for paid work experience. Interns are selected through a competitive application process and paired with a host land trust. (Learn more about becoming an intern or hosting an intern.)

Students benefit from multi-faceted work experience, while land trusts benefit from additional support during busy summer months

After a week of training, interns devote nine weeks to hands-on work in the many facets of land conservation. Interns build trails, conduct research, steward conservation easements, engage with the local community, and contribute to communications, membership, and fundraising.

Host organizations provide housing, training, and supervision throughout the summer. At the middle and end of the season, our program managers bring everyone together to reconnect, visit a conserved property, share stories and experiences, and problem solve and provide input on the program.

Conservation thrives when more people are involved!

Your gift to Maine Coast Heritage Trust will:

• Support and engage the next generation of land conservationists in Maine;
• help strengthen and build the capacity of land trusts statewide;
• ensure that Maine’s land conservation objectives are informed by the next generation.

“This experience has shown me how important these places are for a community to grow and maintain a healthy outdoor living style.” – Devon Case, 202o intern

Give today to support the next generation of land conservation

Underwrite an intern: $10,000
Endow an intern: $250,000

Every dollar makes a difference!