2024-25 Earth Grant Student Internships

Join the Earth Grant info session on May 2nd at 1pm to learn more about the program!

Join Zoom Meeting

About the program: 

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) sponsors the Arizona 

Magnificent Tree Program designed to recognize trees that are the largest of their species 

(Champion); trees having a cultural significance (Heritage Trees); and trees proven in place 

since Arizona became a state in 1912 (Witness Trees). This program is tied to the American 

Forests Champion Tree Program, which is a national award program for Champion Trees. 

About the internship: 

Interns will assist with a series of tasks including, but not limited to, Magnificent Tree database 

management and troubleshooting, tree measuring, development of outreach materials and 

program content for trainings, editing a google map of publicly accessible trees, and photo and 

submission management. We’ve got a database full of magnificent trees that have been 

nominated over the last 22 years, as well as some trees that need to be reverified. Depending 

upon your interests, you can help us with one or more of the following: (1) Creation of the 

Annual Report of newly nominated trees using a Canva template; (2) Editing and modification 

of the database that houses the tree measurement and champion tree data; (3) Edits and 

updates to the AZ Magnificent Tree Program Guidance Manual; (4) Measurement of trees 

located in various locations across the state; (5) Scanning of historical documents from 

nominations received prior to 2017; (6) GIS/Google Map of publicly accessible nominated trees 

for sharing with the community; (7) Assisting with or participating in tree measurement 

workshops in two separate locations, one in the Northern and one in the Southern part of the 

state (Date and specific location TBD). 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

  • Attend bi weekly check-in meeting with supervising staff member 

  • Attend monthly all-staff Specialized Forestry Program meetings as pertinent 

  • Identify at least one project of focus from the Intern list of tasks; develop a work plan and create an action plan for completing tasks related to the plan 

  • Communicate regularly with supervising staff member, checking email and/or chats at least daily and responding within 24-48 hours 

  • Read and review pertinent documentation including, but not limited to, the DFFM Volunteer Handbook, Magnificent Tree Program Guidance Manual, DFFM Website, and other relevant materials provided by supervising staff 

  • Prepare final deliverables in time for agreed upon deadlines 

  • Log hours/time worked on the DFFM Time log 

  • Provide feedback on your experience to the supervising staff member 

Required qualifications: 

  • Communication and writing skills 

  • Public engagement and participation 

  • Ability to work in a team environment with volunteers and Dept of Forestry Staff 

  • Initiative to pursue projects of interest and organization skills to do self-paced work 

  • Desire to work outdoors in addition to some work on the computer 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Public speaking skills, desire to help teach others how to measure trees 

  • Desire to travel to measure trees, sometimes beyond Tucson/Pima County 

  • Ability to use Google Maps 

  • Ability to work with Google Spreadsheets and Documents 

  • Spanish translation skills would be a bonus but not required 

Internship location: Mostly virtual work, occasional in-person work at various locations in 

Tucson and Arizona (optional) 

Internship hours: 5-10 hours/week. Potential to be involved in two workshops on Saturdays and potential evening presentations via zoom. Otherwise the schedule is flexible. 

Mentor: Alison Faller, Urban Forestry Specialist 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition (Coalition) is comprised of five tribes—Hopi, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray, and Zuni Tribe—that successfully advocated for the creation of the Bears Ears National Monument and were also tasked with collaborative management of the Monument. Resources Legacy Fund acts as fiscal sponsor for the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Project (“Project”); the Project operates for the benefit of the Coalition. 

The Coalition’s greater mission is served by several goals which include: (1) protecting  and safeguarding cultural and natural resources in the region, (2) legitimizing Traditional Indigenous and Ecological Knowledge (TIK/TEK) as equally valid scientific evidence for land stewardship practices, (3) reconnecting and healing communities by fostering connection to and appreciation of ancestral homelands and; (4) building capacity by cultivating opportunities and spaces for intergenerational knowledge and culture sharing.  

About the internship: 

The Land Management Intern is responsible for providing research, analysis, and general support to Coalition Leadership and staff, as well as support with collaborative management documentation and retention of information. The position requires coordination with the Co-Director (Land Management and Intergovernmental Relations) and the Land Team as they develop and implement stewardship practices to collaboratively manage the Tribally recognized 1.9 million-acre Bears Ears Landscape. This will include assisting Coalition staff with the creation and transmitting of information to ensure that Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and Tribal expertise are incorporated into land management practices for the Bears Ears National Monument. The position will also include supporting community outreach with the Tribal Stewardship and Engagement Coordinator.  

Required qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of and familiarity with any one of the following areas: indigenous rights, tribal sovereignty, conservation, environmental protection, and social justice.  

  • Strong verbal communication skills, including conveying messages clearly and concisely, paraphrasing, selecting language appropriate for the audience, encouraging others to share input, and exercising cultural awareness and sensitivity.  

  • Strong writing skills. Ability to synthesize factual information from multiple sources into a lucid, cohesive written product. With an understanding of tone and style, produce a written work product that effectively communicates the desired message to the intended audience(s). 

  • Ability to work effectively and in collaboration with diverse groups.  

  • Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage extensive documentation and written information. 

  • Ability to adhere to numerous deadlines, conflicting priorities and handle multiple tasks efficiently. Ability to receive, balance, and handle direction and input from multiple colleagues. 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Strong data visualization skills. Ability to communicate complex information through effective infographics. 

  • Ability to resolve conflicts professionally and maintain patience, grace, and humor under pressure. 

  • Technological abilities to ensure compliance with confidentiality policies and procedures necessary for the protection of RLF data, and to efficiently complete tasks. 

  • Ability to perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, as well as anticipate informational needs as situations and projects develop. 

  • Strong editing skills. Critical eye for grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Commitment to the highest quality written product. 

  • Ability to process and input data efficiently and effectively. 

Student Benefits: 

  • Values-based Indigenous-led organization that prioritizes leadership development (internship opportunities) as one of its core functions.  

  • Opportunity to meaningfully contribute to organizational priorities and projects based on a hands-on approach.  

  • Direct interaction with elected Tribal officials, a key opportunity for any candidate interested in Tribal administration, intergovernmental affairs, and intertribal collaboration.  

  • Holistic approach to organizational leadership and practices based on Indigenous values.  

  • Extensive networking and relationship building opportunities through individual staff connections or intersectional organizational connections.  

  • Tenured staff invested in your development and wellbeing as an aspiring professional.  

Internship location: This internship is 100% remote with several opportunities to travel if the student’s schedule permits.  

Internship hours: The ideal candidate should expect to work 10-15 hours per week, but no more than 29 hours per week. The Coalition has considerable flexibility regarding the intern’s schedule, and ultimately prioritizes academic opportunities that permits a manageable schedule that balances academic and internship responsibilities based on the student’s needs. The ideal candidate will be available on Tuesday and/or Friday mornings between the hours of 10am-12pm MST, but unavailability during those times should not deter potential candidates from applying.  

Mentor: The intern’s primary mentor is Hillary Hoffmann, Co-Director (Land Management and Intergovernmental Relations) but will also work closely with Michael Garlid (Operations Manager) who serves as the coordinator of the Native American Leadership Program (internship program). The intern should expect regular interactions with Lauren Henson (Collaborative Management and Tribal Support Specialist) and Harrenson Gorman (Tribal Stewardship and Engagement Coordinator). 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection (CSDP) is a grassroots organization that protects the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona through science-based advocacy, education, and collaboration. We work to protect natural open spaces and advocate for improved ecosystem health and a reconnected landscape (for example, with the wildlife bridge on Oracle Road). We use policy and planning tools, community science, and grassroots campaigns to make a long-lasting impact in the Sonoran Desert. 

Our team is small — three in Tucson, and one in Flagstaff — but we’ve built our success through strong working relationships with local government, planners, developers, and state and federal agencies, and our community. 

We have a busy year ahead! We are beginning a long-term advocacy and planning project for new wildlife crossings, particularly across I-10, and we are wrapping up the region’s longest-running community science wildlife camera program (in Oro Valley). It’s also a critical time for us in our fight against the proposed Interstate 11 West Option next to Saguaro National Park. As part of our work on both I-10 and I-11, we are re-launching our roadkill surveys that help us understand wildlife movement and animal-collision hot spots. Many local jurisdictions are also refreshing critical 10, 20 and 30 year planning documents in 2025, on which we are providing our expertise. These programs are critical to our vision of a Sonoran Desert that is healthy, protected and valued. 

In this work, we believe that our biodiversity is best protected by a diverse community, and we are committed to cultivating a culture that values difference and fosters inclusion. Our volunteer, internship, and employment positions are open to all. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to live and work on traditionally Native lands, including those belonging to the O’odham, Tohono O’odham, and Pascua Yaqui.  

About the internship: 

The Wildlife Data Intern will work directly with our Conservation Science Director to maintain CSDP’s wildlife camera photo database and help translate community science into tangible conservation outcomes. The Wildlife Data Intern will be integral to the research for and drafting of a final report on our Oro Valley camera monitoring study, which ran for 13 years and officially ends in 2025. 

As part of this project, our intern will gain knowledge in wildlife camera research, photo database management, image analysis software, and wildlife species identification through image analysis. They will also gain experience in data entry and basic analysis for wildlife research projects. Interns will work on a variety of habitat connectivity research projects focusing on wildlife movement and wildlife-highway interactions in Pima County, with field work as an optional component. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Interest in landscape and wildlife conservation 

  • Detail oriented 

  • Curiosity and willingness to ask questions 

  • Ability to work independently 

  • Experience with independent research projects in an academic setting 

  • Experience with large amounts of data 

  • Open to learning new technologies 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Familiarity using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or other database experience (basic training provided) 

  • Sonoran Desert wildlife species identification (training provided) 

  • Experience with remote wildlife cameras (training provided) 

  • A sense of humor! Finding find fun and joy in our work is one of our core value 

Student benefits: 

  • Contribute to meaningful conservation initiatives that protect wildlife and open spaces 

  • Work directly alongside the CSDP team and be exposed to many elements of running an environmental nonprofit 

  • Meet valuable mentors and make connections within our network of nonprofits and environmental leaders 

  • Flexible work environment and hours 

Internship location: This position offers a hybrid in-office and remote work-from-home model, as well as flexible hours. The CSDP office is located within the Historic Y building at 738 N. 5th Ave, a short walk from the university and accessible by the Sun Link. 

Internship hours: Five to eight hours/week. These hours can be worked as needed over the course of the week. We do have a regular check-in meeting each week with our students, and students are also invited to join our weekly staff meetings on Monday mornings. 

Mentor: Jessica Moreno, Conservation Science Director 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection (CSDP) is a grassroots organization that protects the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona through science-based advocacy, education, and collaboration. We work to protect natural open spaces and advocate for improved ecosystem health and a reconnected landscape (for example, with the wildlife bridge on Oracle Road). We use policy and planning tools, community science, and grassroots campaigns to make a long-lasting impact in the Sonoran Desert. 

Our team is small — three in Tucson, and one in Flagstaff — but we’ve built our success through strong working relationships with local government, planners, developers, and state and federal agencies, and our community. 

We have a busy year ahead! We are beginning a long-term advocacy and planning project for new wildlife crossings, particularly across I-10, and we are wrapping up the region’s longest-running community science wildlife camera program (in Oro Valley). It’s also a critical time for us in our fight against the proposed Interstate 11 West Option next to Saguaro National Park. As part of our work on both I-10 and I-11, we are re-launching our roadkill surveys that help us understand wildlife movement and animal-collision hot spots. Many local jurisdictions are also refreshing critical 10, 20 and 30 year planning documents in 2025, on which we are providing our expertise. These programs are critical to our vision of a Sonoran Desert that is healthy, protected and valued. 

In this work, we believe that our biodiversity is best protected by a diverse community, and we are committed to cultivating a culture that values difference and fosters inclusion. Our volunteer, internship, and employment positions are open to all. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to live and work on traditionally Native lands, including those belonging to the O’odham, Tohono O’odham, and Pascua Yaqui.  

About the internship: The Conservation Planning Intern will work directly with our Co-Executive 

Director to monitor and research the region’s planning tools and help spot areas where we can advocate for strengthened, and tangible, conservation outcomes. The intern will identify opportunities in draft plans and code that relate to our environment (including land and water resources), pollution (such as the outdoor lighting code), landscape standards, transportation planning, parks and recreation and climate action. 

The intern will gain knowledge in regional conservation policy, planning, and code tools and the history of these tools. The Conservation Planning Intern will also gain experience in public participation and will have the opportunity to engage directly with conservation experts, regional planners, and developers, alongside the Co-Executive Director. The intern will be responsible for an internal public participation calendar, learning to identify and track many different opportunities to engage with our local jurisdictions. The intern will also draft and review comments and memos, working with our Co-Executive Director. Through working with CSDP staff, the intern will also learn about landscape connectivity best practice and be exposed to community science and educational outreach projects focusing on wildlife movement and wildlife-highway interactions in Pima County. Field work and opportunities to visit our project areas are an optional component. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Interest in landscape conservation 

  • Interest in urban or rural planning, or environmental policy 

  • Organization skills 

  • Curiosity and willingness to ask questions 

  • Ability to work independently and on a team 

  • Strong reading and writing skills 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Familiarity with planning processes 

  • Familiarity with environmental policy 

  • Experience with public participation in the planning process (for example, attending meetings or submitting public comments) 

  • Experience in map-reading and GIS 

  • A sense of humor! Finding fun and joy in our work is one of our core values 

Student benefits: 

  • Contribute to meaningful conservation initiatives that protect wildlife and open spaces 

  • Work directly alongside the CSDP team and be exposed to many elements of running an environmental nonprofit 

  • Meet valuable mentors and make connections within our network of nonprofits and environmental leaders 

  • Flexible work environment and hours 

Internship location: This position offers a hybrid in-office and remote work-from-home model, as well as flexible hours. The CSDP office is located within the Historic Y building at 738 N. 5th Ave, a short walk from the university and is accessible from the Sun Link. 

Internship hours: Five to eight hours/week. These hours can be worked as needed over the course of the week. We do have a regular check-in meeting each week with our interns, and interns are invited to join our weekly staff meetings on Monday mornings. 

Mentor: Kate Hotten, Co-Executive Director 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Abundant Harvest Cooperative operates under the Community Food Bank of Southern 

Arizona stiving to build a resilient network of backyard gardeners and small farmers working 

together to strengthen our local food systems by creating economic and educational 

opportunities. Participating in AHC is a way small growers and backyard gardeners can 

aggregate their agricultural products, access a wide consumer base, and earn extra revenue in a low-risk way. Through the steady presence and diversity of AHC products, community members have greater access to local, healthy food. The Community Food Bank is committed to 

addressing the root causes of food insecurity, including climate change, systemic forms of 

discrimination, and inequitable access to resources through food distribution, food and 

gardening education, and community development programs. 

About the internship: 

UA Earth Grant Intern will work with the Community Foods Coordinator and Local Food 

Pathways Team to support with the day-to-day operations of AHC, deepen relationships among 

growers, and build capacity for members to take on leadership roles within the Cooperative. 

This includes working directly with growers of diverse backgrounds, deepening grower 

engagement through seasonal grower meetings, workshops, and socials, and sharing AHC’s 

purpose and practices through related Social Media content (recipes, food preservation, grower highlights, etc). Projects can range from but are not limited to collaborating with growers to 

develop workshops, coordinating grower site visits, analyzing market sales data, and creating 

grower-led educational materials for further Cooperative development. 

The intern will be able to deepen their knowledge and understanding of work within the local 

food system, understand the importance of access and education around fresh foods in low- 

income communities, as well as support disinvested growers, farmers, and entrepreneurs to 

better connect them to normally disinvested communities. 

Required qualifications: 

  • In person and remote work (Transportation, Internet Access) 

  • Ability to work in a warehouse, office and outside during all seasons 

  • Ability to lift up-to 40 pounds 

  • Ability to work and communicate respectfully with people from diverse social backgrounds including race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Bilingual (Opportunity to work with English, Spanish, Kirundi, and Swahili speakers) 

  • Experience/ interest working in organic agriculture, sustainable food systems, and/or farmer’s markets 

  • Experience/interest working in community education and development, particularly in low-income and culturally diverse communities 

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Canva, Newsletter communications, and social media 

Student benefits: 

  • Hone communication skills by engaging with customers at market, answer questions and share information in a fast-paced environment. 

  • Gain hands-on experience in community engagement, learning how to build relationships and foster positive change within a local food system 

  • Develop practical skills in inventory management, food supply and warehouse safety and efficient market setup and breakdown 

  • Build valuable connections and gain firsthand insights into the local food system by collaborating with dedicated growers, farmers, and aggregators/distributors. 

  • Gain a deep understanding of the unique regional food system, and the challenges and opportunities specific to the region. 

  • Develop a strong understanding of how public assistance programs interact with local food systems, and the crucial role they play in food access. 

Internship location: 

  • In person and virtual 

  • Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (3003 S. Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ) 

  • Santa Cruz River Farmers Market (267 S. Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ) 

  • Remote work location flexible 

Internship hours: Intern is expected to contribute approximately 10-15 hours per week. Grower Check-In on Wednesdays (10am-2pm) is generally expected to be an in-person commitment each week. Supporting with market on Thursdays and remote work on other projects and team check-ins are flexible and can be discussed on a weekly or monthly basis as needed. 

Mentors: Alex Bencomo, Community Foods Coordinator; Amrita Khalsa, Farmers Market Network and Advocacy Coordinator; Emmanuel Morales, Community Development Manager 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (CFBSA) moves our region towards the vision of a healthy, hunger-free community addressing the root causes of food insecurity, including 

climate change, systemic forms of discrimination, and inequitable access to resources. As a 

program of the CFBSA the Santa Cruz River Farmers Market strives to increase access to local 

nutrient dense foods by supporting local agriculture, building vibrant community spaces and 

fostering economic opportunity. Our market team collaborates weekly with small local 

businesses and growers to bring access to fresh local produce to low-income communities who 

utilize food benefit programs including SNAP, Double Up and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. 

About the internship: 

The UA Earth Grant Intern will work with the Farmers’ Market Network and Advocacy 

Coordinator to support the weekly planning and program coordination of the Thursday Market. 

This includes support with weekly Social Media posts and listserv newsletter, planning and 

coordinating seasonal and monthly market programming and events, including but not limited to an engaging children's activity table, fresh local food education and food demos, and being on site for the weekly market. 

In working with our Local Food Pathways team, the intern will be able to harness their time 

management, communication, teamwork, event programming, and social media skills. They will learn what goes into running a weekly farmers market, including finance transparency and 

reconciliation, engaging with local small business vendors and farmers, and community members as stakeholders of the market running over 15 years. They will learn and work with the food benefit programs including SNAP, Double Up, Pascua Yaqui Coupons, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons. The intern will be able to deepen their knowledge and 

understanding of food systems change work, the importance of more access and education 

about fresh foods in low-income communities, as well as supporting disinvested entrepreneurs 

and the importance of growing our local economy around local produce. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Interest in learning about local food systems, small local farmers and businesses and engaging in thriving safe community spaces 

  • In person and remote office work 

  • Outdoors setting up tents and customer interaction at Thursday farmers’ market 

  • Ability to lift up-to 40 pounds 

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Canva 

  • Ability to work and communicate respectfully with people from diverse social backgrounds including race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Bilingual with Spanish 

  • Interest in or knowledge of food systems, systems change, food access 

  • Social media, Newsletters 

Student benefits: 

  • Deepen your knowledge and understanding of food benefit programs like SNAP, Double Up and the Farmers Marker Nutrition Program 

  • Understand food systems work, and the importance of the local food supply chain 

  • Gain experience customer service working and speaking with community members from diverse backgrounds and languages 

  • Learn and understand market accounting processes 

  • Engage with customers using food programs Pascua Yaqui Coupons, SNAP, Double Up, Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons 

  • Develop skills in outreach including weekly social media posts and newsletters 

Internship location: In person and remote. At the food bank office at 3003 S Country Club Rd and Thursdays for the farmers market MSA Annex 267 S Avenida del Convento. We can work with your schedule. 

Internship hours: Weekdays, 10-20 hours a week, we can work with your student schedule. The market is Thursdays Oct-April 3-6pm, May-September 4:30-7:30pm 

Mentor: Amrita Khalsa, Farmers Market Network and Advocacy Coordinator 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Community Gardens of Tucson's mission is to build community gardens where Tucsonans 

grow food, work and learn together, and nurture well-being in our communities. Our 

community gardening programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by 

connecting them with their local food system, the environment and each other. 

About the internship: 

We are seeking a motivated Community Outreach & Events Intern to join our team and 

collaborate on community development needs at the Community Gardens of Tucson. As an 

Outreach & Events Intern, you will play a crucial role in coordinating events, developing 

outreach initiatives, and engaging volunteers. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

Outreach 

  • Identify garden needs for outreach and recruitment 

  • Develop strategies to recruit volunteers and new gardeners. 

  • Attend and support the Outreach and Fundraising Committee 

Event Coordination 

  • Be an ambassador for Community Gardens of Tucson and positively engage with the community during outreach events and garden activities. 

  • Provide support for Garden Party Fundraisers as needed. 

  • Organize and coordinate volunteers to represent the Community Gardens at community events, such as resource fairs and plant fairs. 

Garden Operations Support 

  • Garden supplies, education materials, and resources evaluation and distribution 

  • Hands-on support with garden project development and execution 

  • Help coordinating and leading garden education and volunteer workdays 

Required qualifications: 

  • Passion for sustainable practices and community development. 

  • Strong organizational and communication skills. 

  • Proficiency in Word, Excel, Database, Outlook and internet-based communication 

  • Ability to multitask and work collaboratively within a team. 

  • Access to a reliable source of transportation to travel between garden locations 

  • Ability to work effectively with little supervision 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Experience in professional writing 

  • Comfortable with public speaking 

  • Experience in marketing and/or community development 

Student benefits: 

  • Free garden plot at available garden 

Internship location: The Community Gardens of Tucson has over 20 garden locations. This 

position requires on-site work in the various gardens and some remote work. 

Internship hours: 10-15 hours per week 

Mentor: Brittany Guerrero, Executive Director 

Number of positions available: 2 

About the organization: 

Compost Cats is a student-focused and community-based program of the University of 

Arizona’s Office of Sustainability concentrating on organic waste reduction and 

diversion, community outreach and engagement, public education, and research 

facilitation. The mission of Compost Cats is to create a quality soil amendment while 

mitigating climate change, increasing food security, and empowering the community 

through experiential education, innovation, and environmental advocacy. 

About the internship: 

Regular duties include creation and management of compost/composting systems, waste management, K-12 and community-focused STEM programming/curricula, trainings for commercial business employees, potential operation of small-scale equipment for organic materials processing, collection and reporting of data to the Compost Cats Coordinators, auditing and/or decontamination of food waste loads (please be prepared to get dirty), participation in zero-waste effort events, and more. The successful candidate will inform and inspire the Tucson community about food waste reduction, materials cycling, soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship. Desired leadership role: Oversee compost creation and compost systems on Compost Cats demonstration sites. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Valid driver’s license and successful completion of U of A defensive driver training is required 

  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to positively represent Compost Cats and the Office of Sustainability to our campus and community stakeholders 

  • Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including a strong proficiency in public speaking 

  • Ability to push, pull, or lift 25 pounds individually and 50 pounds or more in cooperation with another employee is required 

  • Ability to work outdoors in extreme cold or warm weather 

  • Must be available to work in-person 

  • Must graduate in May 2026 or later. 

Preferred qualifications 

  • Access to personal vehicle - must be able to provide your own transportation to various off-site locations 

  • Background/interest in sustainability and environmental conservation/management 

  • Experience in writing grants, marketing communications, media releases, business reports and/or outreach materials, or similar documents 

  • Experience/interest in public education, community engagement, and volunteer recruitment activities. 

  • Experience with irrigation installation and maintenance 

Student benefits: 

  • Experiential, hands on learning to help with career development. 

  • Learning about composting practices and teaching these skills to others. 

  • Enhance communication skills by leading meetings, projects, and working in a team environment. 

  • Enhance public speaking skills while talking to community members. 

  • Project management skill development 

Internship location: In person and virtual work. In-person: Office is in ENR2, travel to various locations in Tucson 

Internship hours: 10-20 hrs a week. Includes some early morning, evening, and weekend work. 

Mentor: Kenzie Jackson, Campus & Community Outreach Coordinator 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Compost Cats is a student-focused and community-based program of the University of 

Arizona’s Office of Sustainability concentrating on organic waste reduction and 

diversion, community outreach and engagement, public education, and research 

facilitation. The mission of Compost Cats is to create a quality soil amendment while 

mitigating climate change, increasing food security, and empowering the community 

through experiential education, innovation, and environmental advocacy. 

About the internship: 

Assist with educational and outreach activities on and off campus. This includes, but is not limited to, K-12 and community-focused STEM programming/curricula, education and/or outreach events for a wide range of audiences at compost demonstration sites, trainings for commercial business employees, potential operation of small-scale equipment for maintenance of composting systems (please be prepared to get dirty), collection and reporting of metrics or data to the Compost Cats Coordinator; participation in zero-waste effort events, and more. Desired leadership role: Oversee curriculum creation and Compost Cats education efforts. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Valid driver’s license and successful completion of U of A defensive driver training is required 

  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to positively represent Compost Cats and the Office of Sustainability to our campus and community stakeholders 

  • Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including a strong proficiency in public speaking 

  • Ability to push, pull, or lift 25 pounds 

  • Ability to work outdoors in extreme cold or warm weather 

  • Ability to work 4+ hours in an outdoor setting 

  • Must be available to work in-person early mornings and weekends 

  • Must graduate in May 2026 or later. 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Access to personal vehicle - must be able to provide your own transportation to various off-site locations 

  • Background/interest in sustainability and environmental conservation/management 

  • Experience in writing grants, marketing communications, media releases, business reports and/or outreach materials, or similar documents 

  • Experience/interest in public education, community engagement, and volunteer recruitment activities. 

  • Experience/interest in working in an educational setting with K-12 students, college students, or community members 

Student benefits: 

  • Experiential, hands on learning to help with career development. 

  • Learning about composting practices and teaching these skills to others. 

  • Enhance communication skills by leading meetings, projects, and working in a team environment. 

  • Enhance public speaking skills while talking to community members and K-12 students. 

  • Learning about Arizona education standards in STEM and working with professional outdoor educators 

Internship location: In person and virtual work. In-person: Office is in ENR2, travel to 

various locations in Tucson 

Internship hours: 10-20 hrs a week. Includes some early morning, evening, and 

weekend work. 

Mentor: Kenzie Jackson, Campus & Community Outreach Coordinator 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Flowers & Bullets (F&B) started in early 2012 by two childhood friends, Tito Romero and Jacob 

Robles, Indigenous men who have lived all their life in Barrio Centro. They recognized the need 

to make this community in Tucson become a sustainable and healthy neighborhood as a 

response to systemic economic and environmental racism in the area. Through organizing 

collectively to make street art and t-shirts they began to create opportunities for their peers to 

have alternatives. Another key founder, Dora Martinez, is an Indigenous woman who helped 

establish the gardening component to get more people involved and bring healthy grassroots 

solutions to Barrio Centro. We reclaim our cultural roots and amplify them through sustainability, art, and rebellion to heal and empower our neighborhood, and operate under our Collective Guidelines. 

Mission: We reclaim our cultural roots and amplify them through sustainability, art, and rebellion to heal and empower our neighborhood. 

Neighborhood Vision: An equitable, healthy, empowered, and engaged Barrio Centro 

About the internship: 

This position will be working closely with our farm team, core team, and our neighbors/community. For 2025 you can expect major commitments to these areas: 

1. Physical site improvements- F&B will continue to renovate and remodel the existing structures as well as build new ones as we phase into this next year. 

2. Land-based practices- This year we are continuing to take care of our desert resources 

(precious earth, monsoon rains and abundant sunshine) by planting more native vegetation, adapting our seed each year, collecting as much water, etc. Our maiz project has been expanding over the years and this year we’re focusing on soil health and planting. 

3. Community education- every effort, every event, every action is an opportunity to learn 

and to organize! This year F&B will continue to invest in community education through 

hands-on workdays, community speakers, all-age workshops, etc. 

In addition to our land stewardship and community programming, F&B will continue to resource internally. Flowers and Bullets is committed to the ongoing development of our organization through a new active board, fundraising and improvements to the space and programs. 

This year we are committed to honing in on our internal processes and institutionalizing some of our practices and procedures. With the support of this intern, we will be editing and revisiting some key internal documents and updating them, as well as developing best practices for our administrative team to streamline communication. 

This position will be working closely with the folks leading F&B’s planning and strategy, and our 

development team. 

Our hope is that our marketing material, website, narrative, and any other identity content be 

updated and cohesive for stronger messaging (internally and externally). Our goal is to have 

these all be useful when we make decisions and apply for grants. These efforts will help move our organization towards our vision of healthy, safe and strong communities where every neighbor is included. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

  • Support our team with the administrative side of organizing 

  • Outreach support: social media posts, creation and distribution of outreach materials 

  • Execute the organization/development of internal documents 

Required qualifications: 

  • Support our team with the administrative side of organizing 

  • Outreach support: social media posts, creation and distribution of outreach materials 

  • Execute the organization/development of internal documents 

  • Proficiency of Google Suite 

  • Critical thinking skills 

  • Able to work as a team 

  • Able to work independently, self-motivate 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Knowledge using Excel or other database programs. 

  • Able to utilize Canva, Linktree, etc 

  • Organizational skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, writing skills. 

  • 2nd language fluency, preferably Spanish 

  • Able to translate written materials if needed (i.e. outreach materials) 

  • Transformative Justice, Restorative Justice outlook 

  • Skills or knowledge in finance, gardening, or food justice 

Student benefits: 

  • Learn about nonprofit and grassroots organizing and leadership 

  • Gain experience with community organizing 

  • Working in and with community 

  • Contributing to the vision of an urban green space 

  • Making a positive difference in the community 

Internship location: Hybrid 

Internship hours: 5-20 hrs/week, including some early morning and weekend hours. Weekly 

staff meetings (optional) are Tuesdays 9-11am 

Mentor: Rachel Lipscomb, Development Director 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Flowers & Bullets (F&B) started in early 2012 by two childhood friends, Tito Romero and Jacob 

Robles, Indigenous men who have lived all their life in Barrio Centro. They recognized the need 

to make this community in Tucson become a sustainable and healthy neighborhood as a 

response to systemic economic and environmental racism in the area. Through organizing 

collectively to make street art and t-shirts they began to create opportunities for their peers to 

have alternatives. Another key founder, Dora Martinez, is an Indigenous woman who helped 

establish the gardening component to get more people involved and bring healthy grassroots 

solutions to Barrio Centro. We reclaim our cultural roots and amplify them through sustainability, art, and rebellion to heal and empower our neighborhood, and operate under our Collective Guidelines. 

Mission: We reclaim our cultural roots and amplify them through sustainability, art, and rebellion to heal and empower our neighborhood. 

Neighborhood Vision: An equitable, healthy, empowered, and engaged Barrio Centro 

About the internship: 

This last year has been absolutely pivotal for the next stage of our collective. We have grown in many ways including re-engaging our community with our programs since the start of the pandemic, purchased the 9.5 acre property (+ building), kicked off our biggest fundraising campaign, and so much more. 

This position will be working closely with our farm team, core team, and our neighbors/community. For 2025 you can expect major commitments to these areas: 

1. Physical site improvements- F&B will continue to renovate and remodel the existing structures as well as build new ones as we phase into this next year. The compost area and water harvesting infrastructure will also continue to expand. 

2. Land-based practices- This year we are continuing to take care of our desert resources 

(precious earth, monsoon rains and abundant sunshine) by planting more native vegetation, adapting our seed each year, collecting as much water, etc. Our maiz project has been expanding over the years and this year we’re focusing on our soil health and planting. 

3. Community education- every effort, every event, every action is an opportunity to learn and to organize! This year F&B will continue to invest in community education through hands-on workdays, community speakers, all-age workshops, etc. 

These efforts will help move our organization towards our vision of healthy, safe and strong 

communities where every neighbor is included. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

  • Be land stewards of the 10 acre farm space. 

  • Maintain irrigation, operations, milpas, weeds, and take care of the animals 

  • Connect with community members through workdays, including Saturday Workdays 

  • Continue in development of the space 

Required qualifications: 

  • Ability to lift 50lbs or more 

  • Able to be outside working for a few hours at a time 

  • Able to work as a team 

  • Able to work independently 

  • Critical thinking skills 

  • Basic computer skills 

  • Comfortable with tools or willing to learn about: shovels, picks, rakes 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Experience planting, farming 

  • Working with plants, soil 

  • Bilingual 

  • Comfortable with or willing to to learn heavy equipment: trencher, tiller, tractor, etc 

Student benefits: 

  • Working in community and with animals 

  • Learn about regenerative farming practices, water harvesting, animal caretaking 

  • Being outdoors 

  • Making a positive difference in the community 

  • Acquiring versatile hands on skills 

  • Get connected to the land 

Internship location: In person, sometimes from home. 

Internship hours: 15-20 hrs/week, including some early morning and weekend hours. 

Mentor(s): Tito Romero, Farm Manager and Rachel Lipscomb, Development Director 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Garden Kitchen offers whole health seed-to-table education in the areas of gardening, 

cooking, nutrition, and physical activity. We work with community members as well as 

organizations and governments to deliver programming throughout Pima County. 

As a whole health program, our aim is to increase health equity for residents of Pima County, 

recognizing that wellness includes mind, body, and spirit. We do this through assessing 

community need and strengths, while working to increase families’ food security, increasing the availability of fresh foods where people live, work, and play, supporting opportunities for free 

physical activity, and facilitating opportunities for connection through mindfulness practices, 

community engagement, and storytelling activities. 

About the internship: 

Are you passionate about working directly with the community? Excited to learn more about 

resilient local food systems, food access, and nutrition education? Thinking of a career in 

nutrition, human services, health services, or agriculture? 

The intern will provide critical assistance with the PLAZA Mobile Market– learning about food 

access interventions and promoting the local food economy. Our approach to food system 

resilience addresses the whole food system. Produce from local farmers is bought at prices set 

by farmers, and sold affordably, supporting food access for local low-income residents. The 

intern will support operation of PLAZA Mobile Market one to two times a week. This will 

include engaging with customers about the produce at the market and important resources, 

setting up and tearing-down the market, and networking with partners. Other duties may 

include supporting with inventory, feedback surveys, and other business practices. This 

internship will include outreach and marketing for PLAZA Mobile Market – supporting with 

social media, flyer distribution, and developing innovative ways of spreading the word. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Passionate about community programming 

  • Enjoys interacting with diverse community members 

  • Flexible and able to adapt to the unexpected 

  • Ability to carry up to 25lbs and stand for 2+ hours 

  • Spanish speaker 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of cooking with produce and/or nutrition information 

  • Knowledge of or experience with growing local produce 

  • Interested in food justice and resilient food systems 

  • Experience with the Sunnyside neighborhood 

Student benefits: 

  • Student will experience the high-energy, supportive, innovative and fun PLAZA Mobile Market every week. 

  • Student will learn about food access issues and solutions in Tucson 

  • Student will learn about local food systems, including Tucson’s farmers and local food markets 

  • Student will connect with Garden Kitchen team, which includes people working across ages, sites, and intervention types (direct education, train-the-trainer, policy, etc. 

Internship location: This position will be hybrid. They will mostly work out of the Garden 

Kitchen (2205 S. 4th Ave. Tucson, AZ 85713), but will also be running PLAZA Mobile Market at 

Valencia Library (202 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85706), and a soon to be announced location 

around the City of South Tucson. They may occasionally be asked to work from the Pima County Cooperative Extension building (4210 N Campbell, Tucson AZ 85719). 

Internship hours: This internship would be 15 hours/week – 8:30am-4pm on Wednesday and Thursday. If a student isn’t available both days but is really excited about the position, please 

still reach out, we may have some flexibility. No weekend time will be required. 

Mentor(s): Jenn Parlin, Assistant Agent, The Garden Kitchen, and Meredith Glaubach, Local Food System Coordinator. 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the lab: 

Dr. Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta is a community-engaged environmental health scientist and associate professor of Environmental Science with joint appointments in the College of Public Health and Global Change-Graduate Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Arizona. Ramírez-Andreotta’s laboratory uses an environmental justice framework to investigate the fate and transport of pollutants in environmental systems, exposure pathways, cultural models of communication, and methods to improve environmental health literacy. As such, she is often found listening to and training communities and hosting community gatherings and data sharing events.  

About the internship: 

Environmental justice communities in Arizona suffer real health consequences due to environmental contamination, which is often under-communicated and under-regulated. This position supports the overall goal of informing communities of their health risks and measures to mitigate them, in ways that involve and respect community members. Join our diverse research team to improve environmental health education in underserved rural and urban communities. Our team conducts environmental contamination research with historically underrepresented populations that will be impacted by climate change, water scarcity, and food insecurity more than others. University of Arizona researchers are working alongside community health workers and families living near sources of pollution (urban and rural) in order to monitor their harvested water, soil, and plant quality. This position will be encouraged to propose their own project, within the scope of current work, to further understanding of environmental contamination or further community education and understanding of environmental health. Other undergraduate research assistant duties include: Assist with the development of research activities and conduct research including experimental design, data collection, and analysis; Present research at local and national meetings; Perform administrative work in support of project; Work as a team with other undergraduate and graduate research assistants 

Required qualifications: 

  • General understanding of environmental contaminant fate and transport 

  • Good teamwork skills 

  • Good communication skills (verbal and written) 

  • Cultural understanding of rural Arizona communities 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Advanced understanding of environmental contaminant fate and transport 

  • Experience working in a science laboratory 

  • Experience working with diverse community members 

Internship location: 

On main campus in Saguaro Hall, with some work in rural AZ communities. Student does not need to have a car. 

Internship hours: 5-20 hrs/week, flexible dependent on student schedule. Primarily M-F work with occasional evenings and weekends required for events. 

Mentor: William Borkan, Research Professional, Dr. Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Assistant Professor, Environmental Science 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, are welcomed by the people of the United States into the safety and freedom of America. These individuals have survived against incredible odds. The IRC works with government bodies, civil society actors, and local volunteers to help them translate their past experiences into assets that are valuable to their new communities.  

The New Roots (NR) program at IRC is an initiative to support gardening, food security, nutrition, enterprise, and production within the US network of IRC offices. NR collaborates with refugee and immigrant participants and a strong network of partners to build community resilience and food security through strengthening the local food system. NR Tucson supports its participants in building food security and aids in their transition to the community through sustainable gardening, local food access initiatives, and small business farming. Our gardens provide safe, outdoor green spaces for participants to reconnect with and pass down agricultural traditions, build relationships, and use their expertise to make supplemental income for their families. In order to better serve our clients, we are looking for an Agriculture intern who is committed, creative, hard-working, and enthusiastic individuals with interests in organic farming and community empowerment. The position works alongside an NR staff member on site in the gardens as well as planning virtually and in the office. This role would provide much needed support to increase the capacity of NR's programming at IRC in Tucson. 

About the internship: 

The New Roots team works together with interns to develop long-term projects that fit their skills and interests. Past projects have included a landscape design plan, a focus on social media engagement and a compost system overhaul. Possible future projects could include garden improvement builds and curriculum development and facilitation. The NR Agriculture Intern will:  

  • Collaborate on sustainable infrastructure projects to benefit the refugee garden sites (compost systems, greenhouse, permaculture infrastructures, murals, accessible infrastructure, post-harvest wash station improvements, etc.)   

  • Assist with preparation and presentation of farm and garden workshops with a focus on sustainability and climate adaptation.   

  • Help staff with ongoing garden projects at 3+ garden sites (e.g. planting, cleaning, weeding, general site maintenance).    

  • Communicate with farm and garden participants about upcoming events and share relevant gardening and farming information.   

  • Assist in securing donations of materials and technical advice to support community gardeners.   

  • Track inventory of seeds, tools, and materials for the program.   

Required qualifications: 

  • Experience or demonstrated interest in food security, sustainable gardening, garden design, or innovative solutions to environmental challenges—especially in multicultural settings. 

  • Ability to self-direct, as well as communicate and work effectively as a team member in a multicultural environment.   

  • Willingness to work outside in variable weather conditions.    

  • Ability to meet at garden sites, primarily in central Tucson.   

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client information.  

  • Strong verbal and written skills in English. 

  • Punctual and reliable. 

  • Additional policy details will be discussed during orientation and training.   

  • All offers are contingent on successfully passing background and criminal history checks as required by federal and state law or by IRC policy. Additionally, all interns are required to obtain a Level-One AZDES Fingerprint Clearance Card (FCC).   

Preferred qualifications: 

  • 2nd language fluency (especially in Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kiswahili, Arabic, Dari, French or Spanish) 

  • Agricultural knowledge 

Student Benefits: 

  • Hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture techniques 

  • Experience working with a diverse set of cultures, languages, and people groups 

  • Access to IRC’s extensive collection of virtual training materials on wide-ranging topics related to humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement and food security 

Internship location: Hybrid virtual and in person; in person locations include the IRC office (2916 E Broadway Blvd) and garden locations throughout central Tucson. 

Internship hours: 15-20 hours/week. Primary hours will be on weekdays between 9-5 with optional once monthly Saturday morning volunteer day participation. We would prefer an intern to be available during at least one of the following mornings: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday. 

Mentor: Eli Young, New Roots Farm & Garden Specialist 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the lab: 

The McNew Lab of Disease Ecology seeks undergrads who are interested in studying the ecology and evolution of disease in wild birds. Our group is headed by Dr. Sabrina McNew, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona. The lab includes graduate students, postdocs, and undergrads who conduct research using a variety of molecular and field methods. Our goals are to understand the effects of parasites on hosts, to investigate how hosts defend themselves against infection, and to research the processes that drive the emergence of disease in wildlife and human populations.  

Website: www.mcnewlab.com  

About the internship: 

Student interns in our lab assist in laboratory and field projects centered on interactions between birds and their parasites and pathogens. Students are paired with a direct mentor (typically a graduate student or postdoc) who will help them build both hard and soft scientific skills. Interns focused on laboratory projects may learn techniques including DNA extraction, PCR and qPCR quantification, microscopy, and gel electrophoresis. Interns interested in field ecology are involved in the capture, handling, and sampling of wild birds, as well as arthropod sampling and ecological field methods. Interns will be supported in developing their own research projects and carrying through a project from hypothesis-building through data analysis and presentation. We support students presenting their work at local and national conferences. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Intro Biology (ECOL 182) and/or AP Bio score of 4+.  

  • Interest in birds, parasites, and/or disease. 

  • Ability to commit to a set schedule of approximately 8-10 hours of work per week.  

  • For interns interested in conducting avian field work: must be available at least one day per work week (M-F) from ~5:00 AM until 2:00 PM during January – April.  

Preferred qualifications: 

  • ECOL 302. 

  • Experience conducting field work or working with birds.  

  • Passion for parasites.  

  • Familiarity with data management software like Excel. 

Student Benefits: 

  • Hands-on training in essential Ecology and Evolutionary Biology field and lab skills.  

  • Get to know the amazing birds of the Sonoran Desert!  

  • Collaborative and supportive lab environment.  

  • Support with graduate school and professional school applications.  

  • Opportunities to network with local non-profits (Tucson Audubon, Nature Conservancy) 

Internship location: Primarily University of Arizona campus as well as field sites in SE Arizona; some possibility of asynchronous work from home is possible.  

Internship hours: 8-10 hours per week. We expect students to follow a set schedule, especially during the first couple of months “training period.” After that, there may be flexibility and independence in the schedule depending on whether the student ends up in a lab-based project (more flexibility) or field-based project (less flexibility).  

Mentor: Sabrina McNew (with support from graduate students and postdocs). 

Number of positions available: 1-2 

About the organization: 

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading citizen advocacy 

voice of the National Park System for over 100 years. NPCA works as a non-profit organization 

to protect and enhance our national park sites across the country. The Arizona Program of 

NPCA has been leading park and public lands protection work for 15 years, supporting all 22 of 

Arizona’s National Park Service (NPS) units and surrounding landscapes, from the Grand Canyon 

to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. NPCA is involved in several coalitions in the state 

focused on protecting critical public landscapes and cultural resources 

About the internship: 

Do you love National Parks? Learn how to advocate for them! National Parks are currently 

under threat and now it is more important than ever to become a park advocate. This 

internship will help you do just that. You will support the NPCA Arizona Program Manager in 

their duties in leading work for the state’s national parks with a specific focus on strategic 

advocacy and community engagement. The intern will help with tasks related to executing a 

campaign plan through communications, the development of educational materials, and event 

planning. The intern’s focus will be for park units primarily in southern Arizona, including 

Saguaro National Park. This can include helping with outreach to experts for information 

gathering, brainstorming campaign ideas and strategies, logistical planning of events, researching key issues and stakeholders, and creating materials to inform the public. Activities 

will focus on existing campaign efforts, with a focus on wildlife connectivity in Saguaro National 

Park. The intern may also contribute to efforts around public support for initiatives at smaller 

parks units in Southern Arizona, including Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Coronado National Memorial. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

  • Executive campaign plan with focus on wildlife issues around Saguaro National Park 

  • Conduct research related to wildlife connectivity issues and solutions 

  • Work with NPCA’s AZ Program Manager and National Park Service staff to understand and use existing data on wildlife issues in Saguaro 

  • Reach out to community partners to learn more about issues 

  • Develop resources and educational materials to inform the public on these wildlife issues 

  • Build base of community awareness on wildlife issues in Saguaro National Park 

  • Help plan events and activities that engage the surrounding communities 

  • Supporting NPCA’s Arizona Program Manager with tasks related to Southern Arizona Parks 

  • Help with research and planning around several issues at other AZ parks as they emerge 

  • Provide logistical support of NPCA’s Arizona Program events and strategies 

  • Writing and communicating about NPCA’s work in Southern Arizona to various audiences 

  • Author E-Field Notes newsletter for NPCA’s Southwest Region (Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico) 

Required qualifications: 

Student currently in or interested in natural or cultural resources, conservation biology, biology, ecology, climate science, environmental sciences/policy, environmental studies, education, social sciences, human dimensions of conservation, science communication, or other related fields. 

  • Self-motivated, independent worker 

  • Strong writing skills 

  • Experience in communication, education, or outreach 

  • Strong time management skills 

  • Ability to juggle multiple projects/priorities at once 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Interest or experience in campaign planning and strategy 

  • Interest or experience in environmental policy 

  • Strong collaboration skills 

  • Experience with or knowledge of the National Park Service and/or federal land management agencies 

  • Commitment to the idea that national parks are for everyone 

  • Interest in or experience working with Indigenous communities 

Student benefits: 

  • Gain advocacy and campaign experience, transferable across fields 

  • Have role in national non-profit organization 

  • Learn familiarity with federal agencies and non-profit processes 

  • Learn about important environmental policy and congressional affairs 

  • Build connections with broad national network (NPCA works 11 regions across the US, including Alaska) 

  • Professional opportunity to work with local Arizona partners, including the National Park Service 

Internship location: Remote/Virtual with a few in-person field outings, events, and meetings 

with partners.  

Internship hours: 10 hours per week. Supervising will happen with a weekly check-in on weekdays during business hours although the intern is free to work independently on weekends or evenings. Engagement and meetings with external or internal partners, including NPCA staff and the National Park Service, will happen on weekdays during business hours. 

Mentor: Sanober Mirza, Arizona Program Manager 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Pima County Conservation Lands & Resources Department (CLR) is a relatively new Department that combined the Natural Resources Division of the Natural Resources Parks & Recreation Department with the Pima County Office of Sustainability and Conservation. CLR manages over240,000 acres of conservation land throughout Pima County, including mountain parks, natural preserves, open space lands, and 14 working ranches, in addition to operating a native plant nursery. Our work includes protecting important natural and cultural resources in accordance with the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and Multi-Species Conservation Plan, preserving diverse traditional and cultural values of the region, and providing habitat conservation, environmental education and outreach, and outdoor recreation opportunities.  

About the internship: 

The intern will assist various CLR staff in several different program areas including Restoration & Invasive Species, Ecological Monitoring, Environmental Education, and Rangeland & Agriculture, with potential opportunities to collaborate with the Native Plant Nursery, Park Managers, and Trails programs. This internship will provide various opportunities in Sonoran Desert conservation including but not limited to: 

  • Ecological restoration projects, such as vegetation establishment, seed collection, and building small rock structures for erosion control. 

  • Invasive species management, including surveying and mapping infestations in remote locations, performing some manual treatments with hand tools, working alongside volunteers, and contributing to invasive species outreach efforts. 

  • Ecological monitoring of Pima pineapple cactus, native fish, plantings of significant species, and wet/dry conditions of significant waterways. 

  • Environmental education program development and delivery that explores the diverse ecosystem and unique history of the Santa Cruz River, including K-12 science field trips and adult outdoor educational events, and development of creative outreach content such as social media posts, newsletters, and video media. 

  • Rangeland conservation: rangeland fall vegetation monitoring, property and wildlife drinker inspections, and Ranch Education Program event preparation and participation. 

  • Participate in collaborative work with partner organizations. 

  • May include assisting with cactus salvage operations, property monitoring, geocache removal, writing reports, collecting and analyzing GIS data, and more 

Required qualifications: 

  • Must have a class schedule that allows the intern to participate in half and full days of field work, primarily occurring on weekdays but sometimes on weekends, at least 1-2 days per week. 

  • Enthusiasm in learning more about native plants, wildlife, soils, hydrology, cultural resources, habitat conservation, and rangeland conservation from professionals. 

  • Enthusiasm for field work. Ability to hike and work on rough terrain in new territory for field work tasks, often around spiny and thorny vegetation and in remote locations. 

  • Willingness to endure heat, cold, wind, and rain in order to learn and see new things. 

  • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and perform light to moderate manual labor with and without hand tools. 

  • Ability to follow field safety and computer security rules. 

  • Basic knowledge of Sonoran Desert plants and animals and basic plant anatomy terms. 

  • Be at least 18 years old by the start of the internship. 

  • Comfort speaking in front of small groups and comfort working with youth. 

  • Comfortable working in rangelands with the possibility of working near livestock. 

  • Willingness to communicate with ranchers and other land managers. 

  • Basic computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office. 

  • Attention to detail, ability to stay focused, positive and proactive attitude, and willingness to follow through on commitments. 

  • Good oral and written communication skills and good listening skills. 

  • Ability to commute to the CLR main office at 201 N. Stone Ave, 6th floor, Tucson, AZ 85701, and the Environmental Education office at 3572 E. River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718. 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Ability to commute in a non-County vehicle for independent work at field sites. 

  • Experience performing field work in the Sonoran Desert, especially involving plant or animal inventory or monitoring. 

  • Advanced plant identification skills or knowledge of local species and cultural history. 

  • Working toward a degree in one of the natural (or environmental) sciences or policy. 

  • Experience with outreach and/or science or technical communication. 

  • Familiarity with communicating via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. 

  • Familiarity with GIS tools such as ArcGIS FieldMaps, Survey123, and ArcGIS Online. 

Student benefits: 

  • Learn about and contribute to local conservation efforts and the management of Pima County’s conservation lands. 

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) and Multi-Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) including the 44 MSCP-covered species. 

  • Learn about threats to conservation land and how to manage them, such as invasive species, climate change, unlawful human activities, adjacent land use change, and more. 

  • Gain a deep understanding of the ecology, wildlife, and human history of the Sonoran Desert, and especially of the Santa Cruz River watershed. 

  • Develop skills in environmental interpretation, program coordination, public speaking, and other forms of community outreach. 

  • Build professional relationships with a network of local environmental non-profits, government groups, and collectives. 

  • Learn about sustainable agriculture practices. 

  • See and experience beautiful natural spaces in the Sonoran Desert that not many modern people have been to 

Internship location: In-person and remote. Field work will occur at various locations throughout Pima County. Environmental educational programming will occur at various sites along the Santa Cruz River watershed. Some in-person office work would happen at the CLR main office in downtown Tucson (with parking validation) or the Environmental Education office (free parking). Carpooling from both office locations for field work is an available option. Office work can be remote, and attendance at meetings can be virtual. 

Internship hours: 10-25 hours/week, somewhat flexible based on the intern’s class schedule, and primarily weekdays but may include some weekend days. Ability to spend at least 1 weekday per week for most weeks participating in a full day of field work, and sometimes half days of field work. 

Mentor: Kelsey Landreville (she/her), Restoration & Invasive Species Program Manager 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

The Sierra Club takes a strong stance against policies that promote environmental degradation. We are seeking to restore and protect the borderlands that have been damaged by failed border policies. Along with allies in Congress, we are seeking the reinstatement of the rule of law, so that borderlands resources and residents can depend on the same protections, such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, that most Americans take for granted. 

Walls and barriers have already been constructed across more than 650 miles of the U.S.- 

Mexico border. These barriers block wildlife migration, cause flooding and damage pristine wild lands, including wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and national forests. Sierra Club Borderlands 

advocates for real solutions, such as comprehensive immigration reform with a path to 

citizenship, that address the root causes of complex border problems 

About the internship: 

This intern would work closely with the Borderlands Program Coordinator to support with borderlands community education and organizing via events, social media and communications, and educational presentations to different groups. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Good communication skills, both speaking and writing 

  • Self-motivated, able to work independently 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Spanish language skills 

Internship location: Mostly virtual work, with some in-person work at 300 E. University Blvd, 

within one mile from campus. Transportation can be provided for occasional trips to border communities. 

Internship hours: 5-10 hours/week, somewhat flexible to adjust to student schedule. Some 

evening presentations and weekend trips to Nogales and other border communities. 

Mentor: Erick Meza, Borderlands Program Coordinator 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Sonoran Institute works throughout the West and northern Mexico to connect people with the natural resources that nourish and sustain them. The Santa Cruz River program works directly with residents and the environment in southern Arizona and northern Sonora to create a healthy, flowing Santa Cruz River from Mexico to Marana. 

About the internship: 

This internship will support the development of the Sonoran Institute’s Living River reports, 

which assess water quality, habitat conditions, and human impact on the Santa Cruz River. 

Interns will assist with field research, data analysis, scientific writing, and community outreach 

to help communicate findings to the public and stakeholders. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

Field Research 

  • Conduct water quality sampling and ecological assessments along the Santa Cruz River. 

  • Identify vegetation, wildlife, and human impact indicators in different river segments. 

  • Perform litter categorization surveys and analyze trends in pollution sources 

Data Analysis & Report Development 

  • Manage and analyze environmental datasets for trends in river health. 

  • Utilize GIS mapping to visualize ecological and hydrological changes. 

  • Create tables, figures, and infographics for Living River reports. 

  • Contribute to the writing and editing of scientific findings for public reports 

Community Outreach & Public Engagement 

  • Support river cleanup events and engage with local volunteers. 

  • Assist with presentations and outreach materials to communicate key findings. 

  • Work with local organizations, schools, and partners to promote river stewardship. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Understanding of ecological field methods, environmental science, or hydrology. 

  • Strong data entry and analysis skills (Excel). 

  • Ability to write and communicate scientific findings clearly. 

  • Comfortable working outdoors in varying conditions for fieldwork. 

  • Access to reliable transportation for field visits 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) for community engagement. 

  • Experience with R or ArcGIS for statistical and spatial analysis. 

  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite for designing outreach materials. 

  • Interest in environmental communication & policy. 

Student benefits: 

  • Gain hands-on experience in field research and environmental data management. 

  • Contribute to scientific reports that inform conservation and policy decisions. 

  • Develop technical skills in GIS mapping, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. 

  • Work closely with environmental professionals and community partners. 

  • Build experience in public engagement and science communication 

Internship location: Fieldwork throughout the Santa Cruz River watershed (Tucson & Pima County, possibly Santa Cruz County). Office work can be done remotely. 

Internship hours: 10–15 hours per week (flexible scheduling). Occasional Saturday mornings for river cleanup events. 

Mentor(s): Luke Cole, Director of Santa Cruz River Program; Claire Zugmeyer, Ecologist of the Santa Cruz River Program 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Sonoran Institute works throughout the West and northern Mexico to connect people with the natural resources that nourish and sustain them. The Santa Cruz River program works directly with residents and the environment in southern Arizona and northern Sonora to create a healthy, flowing Santa Cruz River from Mexico to Marana. 

About the internship: 

The Database Specialist intern will work with the existing Sonoran Institute Trash Study (SITS) 

database to improve usability, enhance analytical capacity, and automate data visualization. 

This work will directly contribute to the Sonoran Institute’s Living River reports, which assess 

water quality, habitat conditions, and human impact on the Santa Cruz River. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

Database Development & Data Management 

  • Design simplified data entry methods with quality assurance measures. 

  • Improve the database to enable efficient data queries and trend analysis. 

  • Develop a user-friendly interface for accessing and summarizing datasets. 

  • Implement automated table and figure generation to support research reports. 

GIS & Data Visualization 

  • Utilize GIS mapping tools to visualize ecological and hydrological changes. 

  • Generate heat maps and spatial analysis reports of trash accumulation. 

Public Engagement through Survey123 Development 

  • Develop a demo version of a Survey123-based mobile app for public use in collecting geospatial and categorical data on trash. 

  • Design an intuitive survey interface to collect key environmental indicators. 

  • Test and refine the tool to ensure usability and data accuracy. 

  • Collaborate with community partners to pilot the app in field events. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Strong data management and database development skills (Excel, SQL, or Google Sheets). 

  • Understanding of ecological field methods, environmental science, or hydrology. 

  • Experience or familiarity with Survey123 or similar GIS-based data collection tools. 

  • Ability to write and communicate scientific findings clearly. 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) for community engagement. 

  • Experience with R, Python, or ArcGIS for statistical and spatial analysis. 

  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite for report design and outreach materials. 

  • Interest in environmental communication, policy, and data visualization. 

Student benefits: 

  • Gain hands-on experience in database management, data analysis, and GIS mapping. 

  • Develop a Survey123-based data collection tool with real-world applications. 

  • Work on real-world environmental research with direct conservation impact. 

  • Contribute to scientific reports that inform policy and restoration efforts. 

  • Develop technical skills in automating data processing and report generation. 

  • Collaborate with environmental professionals and community organizations. 

Internship location: Office work can be done remotely. 

Internship hours: 10–15 hours per week (flexible scheduling). Occasional Saturday mornings for river cleanup events. 

Mentor(s): Luke Cole, Director of Santa Cruz River Program; Claire Zugmeyer, Ecologist of the Santa Cruz River Program 

Number of positions available: 1 

About the organization: 

Sonoran Institute works throughout the West and northern Mexico to connect people with the 

natural resources that nourish and sustain them. The Santa Cruz River program works directly 

with residents and the environment in southern Arizona and northern Sonora to create a 

healthy, flowing Santa Cruz River from Mexico to Marana 

About the internship: 

This position will support Sonoran Institute’s Development and Marketing team. This team 

produces content that is shared internally and to our 10,000+ social media followers. 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

Primary duties include: 

1. Creation of new marketing content, including flyers, stickers, banners, blog 

writing/editing, website editing 

2. Support in social media: maintaining SI brand through content creation, analytics, and 

tracking 

3. Support SI’s in-person events: tabling, distributing collateral materials (e.g., flyers), and 

as-needed support during SI-sponsored events 

4. Complete other tasks as needed, associated with the development and marketing team.  

Required qualifications: 

  • Conceptual: 

  • Creative and artistic eye for design, brand awareness 

  • Hardware: 

  • Computer capable of content creation, image editing, audio/video editing 

  • Software: 

  • SI can provide: Adobe Creative Suite, CANVA, Wordpress, and Microsoft Suite 

  • Transport: 

  • Reliable transportation to points within southern Arizona (Bike and carpool acceptable) 

  • Social Media Savvy 

  • Experienced social media user for popular platforms; IG, FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Bilingual English/Spanish 

Internship location: Primarily in Tucson and Pima County. Office work will be a component, but 

can be done remotely. 

Internship hours: 8-15 hrs/week, days and times are flexible. Occasional events typically occur 

over the weekends. 

Mentor: Kashja Iler, Marketing Coordinator  

Number of positions available: 1-2 

About the organization: 

Southwest Decision Resources (SDR) is a Tucson-based professional facilitation organization 

that works with a wide variety of governmental and non-governmental partners to 

collaboratively address conservation and community issues throughout Arizona and the 

Southwest. Our work focuses on the design and facilitation of collaborative planning and 

decision-making efforts, with a goal of achieving broad participation and inclusiveness, higher 

quality outcomes, and more lasting solutions for our landscapes and communities. 

About the internship: 

Southwest Decision Resources works on a variety of projects related to natural resources and 

community development, with the benefit of customizing internship projects to the interests of the intern. When the internship starts, we will provide an orientation with the intern about the work and approach of SDR, the suite of our current projects, and specific projects with potential internship roles. We’ll learn more about the interests of the intern, and based on this, decide together which projects would be the best fit. In the projects listed below, the intern would be a full part of that project team, meaning they would receive training and exposure to situation/stakeholder assessment, agenda and process design, meeting facilitation, documentation, communications, report writing and other aspects of this work. The intern would focus on aspects of these projects that best align with their interest and skills and the needs of the project. 2025-2026 project options include: 

  • Arizona Cross-Watershed Network: AZ XWN is a network of watershed partnerships, organizations, agencies, universities and other local and statewide partners who are working to improve the health of watersheds and watershed communities across Arizona. The mission of AZ XWN is to create a more resilient, adaptive and interconnected community of watershed practitioners across the state to foster collaboration and increase collective impact. 

  • Trail and outdoor recreation planning: SDR is working on collaborative trails and outdoor recreation planning efforts. The intern would help with aspects of the project of most interest, which could include map making/GIS, supporting engagement of underrepresented stakeholders, graphics/materials development, meeting facilitation support, data analysis and participating in the project team. 

  • Place-based collaboratives: SDR organizes and facilitates collaboratives of diverse partners including agencies, local government, community organizations and other stakeholders in various locations across the Southwest. 

  • Numerous other projects including transportation planning, equitable housing, collaborative conservation, among others 

Expectations, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

  • Working closely with SDR teams on 2-3 projects 

  • Participate in, learn from, and contribute to our project-based facilitation teams 

  • Duties could include: designing communication materials and innovative outreach approaches, facilitating and notetaking in small group discussions (as part of larger workshops), documenting workshop output, conducting qualitative data analysis, participating in stakeholder interviews and helping design and analyze surveys, leading an independent project co-designed with SDR staff, etc. 

Required qualifications: 

  • Passionate about conservation, natural resources management and/or community/urban issues 

  • Desire to learn more about collaboration - how to bring people together to find common ground and address shared challenges, including a commitment to more equitable and inclusive planning and decision-making processes 

  • Comfort working both virtually and in-person 

  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with a strong personal commitment to effective teamwork and collaboration 

  • Strong interpersonal, communication and writing skills 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Flexibility with workload and scheduling 

  • Organized and attentive to detail 

Student benefits: 

  • Inclusion as a member of SDR's dynamic team of facilitation and collaboration professionals, with apprentice opportunities alongside senior facilitators working on collaborative planning and decision-making projects across the Southwest 

  • Skill building - participation in SDR’s annual Facilitation Training (at no cost) 

  • Learn about a variety of issues that SDR works on – watershed and ecosystem management, climate, urban planning, outdoor recreation, community visioning, etc. 

  • Develop professional relationships with a diverse set of agency, organization, university and other key partners 

Internship location: Virtual, with some in-person meetings in or near Tucson 

Internship hours: ~10 hours/week, depending on student schedule. Weekdays for virtual team and project meetings. Independent work time whenever suits the intern. Participate in SDR full team virtual meetings Mondays 9-10am (if student has a class at that time, we can work around that) 

Mentor(s): Tahnee Robertson, Director and Senior Facilitator, and Colleen Whitaker, Senior Facilitator 

Number of positions available: 1-2 

About the organization: 

Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon) inspires people to enjoy and protect birds 

through recreation, education, conservation, advocacy, and restoration of the environment 

upon which we all depend. We work for a future in which the people of southeast Arizona are 

connected to their natural world through birds, and they protect and use our natural resources 

in a responsible and sustainable manner. We work throughout southeast Arizona to identify 

threats to birds and wildlife and their habitats, research the most effective approaches to 

reducing or eliminating those threats, and take action to implement solutions, whether through ecosystem restoration, species-specific habitat restoration, litigation, or civic engagement. We 

educate our members and community on local, regional, state-wide, national, and worldwide 

problems affecting southeast Arizona’s birds and wildlife, ecosystems, and people, and 

empower them to make an impact by providing concrete, strategic actions to take in response. 

About the internship: 

TBA’s Conservation team conducts research project on local bird population and develops 

conservation plans to aid them. From studying birds in greatest conservation need to engaging 

our community in hazard reduction practices, the team’s suite of projects and programs seeks 

to enhance the environment for birds, other wildlife, and people. 

The Bird Conservation Intern will assist with one or more of the following projects, depending 

on interest, need, and experience: 

  • Hazard reduction projects: mapping and capping death pipes, bird-safe building programming and installations; 

  • Monitoring and data collection: nestbox monitoring and bird surveys; 

  • Assisting with resource development and engagement for Tucson Bird Alliance’s public outreach programs  

Required qualifications: 

  • Interest in conservation and habitat restoration; 

  • Strong interpersonal skills (intern will interface with Tucson Bird Alliance staff); 

  • Ability, with supervision and support, to work independently on research-based projects. 

  • Ability to work outside in variable weather conditions and hike on uneven terrain, carrying at least 10 pounds. 

Preferred qualifications: 

  • Having a personal vehicle is not a requirement, but there could be more opportunities to participate in fieldwork if the student has their own transportation 

Student benefits: 

  • Networking with conservation professionals across different agencies and organizations. 

  • Identification of birds and nests of SE Arizona. 

  • Understanding of industry-standard instruments and processes for wayfinding and data collection. 

  • Understanding of tools and processes involved in habitat restoration (native plants, nestboxes etc). 

  • Understanding of scientific research processes. 

  • Leadership skills and public outreach. 

Internship location: Field-based work will occur at various locations throughout southeastern 

Arizona within 1-1.5 hrs of Tucson (carpooling). Other activities will take place at Tucson Bird 

Alliance offices (the Historic Y, located at University Blvd and 5th Ave or the Mason Center on 

the NW side of Tucson), with the option to also work remotely as needed.  

Internship hours: Approximately 4-10 hrs/week. Fieldwork is likely to start early in the morning. Office work will occur during normal business hours with the potential to do some work 

remotely. 

Mentor: Olya Weekley, Applied Conservation Program Manager 

Number of positions available: 1