The Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and recently graduated students to collaborate with Highstead staff on innovative projects in ecology, conservation, education, and horticulture. Highstead has an established ecology program for twelve weeks over the summer; however, non-ecology internships may be available at other times of the year.
Ecology Program
Program Description | Application Deadline | Research Projects | Eligibility | How to Apply
Regional Conservation Program
Program Description | Application Deadline | Research Projects | Eligibility | How to Apply
Working at Highstead
Compensation
Previous Colleges and Universities Attended by interns
Ecology Program Description:
Each student will participate in an on-going research project with Highstead's Forest Ecologist. Responsibilities may include field sampling (recording deer browse, identifying and recording vegetation, coring trees), laboratory work (tree ring analysis, soil sieving), data entry, and analysis. In addition, students may interact with researchers from the Harvard Forest , the Brooklyn Botanic Garden the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station , and the Nature Conservancy , as well as local botanical experts. Students are encouraged to attend seminars and guided tours held at Highstead given by nationally and internationally regarded scientists and conservationists.
Application Deadline: February 8
Approximate dates of internship: May 30-August 15 (dates may vary depending on project)
Current Research projects
- Forest Compositional Change in Redding, CT over the Past 250-300 Years.
- The impacts of Moose Browsing in Regenerating Oak-Pine Forests of Southern New England.
- Factors Controlling the Health and Sprouting Capacity of Kalmia latifolia
Eligibility
We seek students with a demonstrated interest and enthusiasm for field ecology and natural history who attend (or have recently attended) colleges and universities across the country.
How To Apply:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Cover letter describing your field science background and interest (including relevant courses, employment, or experiences), your expectations for a successful experience, and your educational and career objectives. (300 words maximum)
- Resume
Please send all materials to
Edward K. Faison, Forest Ecologist
Highstead
PO Box 1097
Redding Center, CT 06875
by
February 8th
Notification of Acceptance will be made by First week in March
Regional Conservation Program Description:
Student interns will participate in on-going conservation initiative-based projects with Highstead's Regional Conservationist. Responsibilities may include land, open space, and assessor's records research, Internet and literature review, data entry, and analysis. In addition, students may interact with conservation, forestry, forest ecologist, and planning professionals from CT, MA, RI and NY as well as with researchers from Harvard Forest. Students are encouraged to attend seminars and guided tours held at Highstead given by nationally and internationally regarded scientists and conservationists.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2008
Approximate dates of internship: September 29, -December 19, 2008
Regional Conservation Program Initiatives
- Research case studies involving models of collaborative conservation and cross-boundary coordination of land conservation and management from around the world and develop a database with defined attributes;
- Support the development of ongoing regional conservation partnerships in eastern New York and southern New England (e.g. by updating protected open space data layers);
- Summarize findings of research on how the implementation of bold conservation visions like Wildlands and Woodlands can further efforts to mitigate impacts from climate change and future energy supply issues, provide access to clean air and water, and further smart growth efforts;
- Communicate lessons to key interest groups using a variety of media e.g. websites, publications, symposia, conferences, etc.;
- Assist in the coordination of the multi-state Wildlands and Woodlands Partnership;
- Organize and plan for various Wildlands and Woodlands and other conservation initiatives;
Eligibility
We seek students with a demonstrated interest and enthusiasm for the implementation of landscape ecology, land conservation, forestry, and/or smart growth-based regional planning within a matrix of forests, farms, and development who attend (or have recently attended) colleges and universities across the country.
How To Apply:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Cover letter describing your related environmental science, planning, natural resource conservation background and interests (including relevant courses, employment, or experiences), your expectations for a successful experience, and your educational and career objectives. (300 words maximum)
- Resume
Please send all materials to
Bill Labich, Regional Conservationist
Highstead
PO Box 1097
Redding Center, CT 06875
by June 1, 2008
Notification of Acceptance will be made by First week in July 2008
Working at Highstead
Located approximately halfway between Hartford, CT and New York City, Highstead is 150 acres of woodland, wetland, and meadow secluded in the quiet town of Redding, CT, located some 50 miles southwest of Hartford, CT and 50 miles northeast of New York City. Highstead's staff is small, so interns become important members of the Highstead community during their stay. Facilities include office space, reception/presentation room with art gallery, library and reading room, laboratory and greenhouse space, herbarium, and maintenance garage. The nearest town with grocery store and other amenities is Bethel, CT, about a 10 minute drive to the north, and a commuter rail line to NYC is located in West Redding.
Nearby Attractions: Redding has a large number of nature preserves, state parks, and hiking trails and is situated in the most undeveloped part of Fairfield County. The Nature Conservancies, 1800- acre Devil's Den Preserve is located several miles south as is the Saugatuck Reservoir, offering striking watershed views and miles of hiking trails. The Connecticut Coast is about a 30 minute drive south, while the rural highlands of northwestern, CT are about 45 minutes north.
Compensation:
Student compensation includes the following:
- Stipend of $4920 for the 12-week session;
- Travel reimbursement of up to $350 for one round trip to Highstead
- Free furnished housing
- Food Stipend
