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
Intern Program Description | Research Projects | Eligibility | How to Apply
Regional Conservation Program
Intern Program Description | Program Initiatives | Eligibility | Research Projects | 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: (2009 Ecology Intern Positions are Filled)
Current Research projects
- Documenting Five Years of Change to a Forest Preserve in southwestern CT
- 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
Regional Conservation Internship Program Description
Interns will participate in Highstead's conservation initiative-based projects as research assistants with the Regional Conservationist for a twelve week-period from late September to mid-December 2009.
Highstead's Regional Conservation Program is engaged in advancing a deeper understanding of cutting edge land conservation strategies in southern New England. Highstead works with over eighty conservation, planning, academic, philanthropic, and forestry organizations in the Northeast fostering collaborations across political, geographical, and professional boundaries. Many of these groups are members of the Wildlands and Woodlands Partnership, currently coordinated by Highstead's Regional Conservationist.
Research assistants will be responsible for managing one to two projects each that serve to build the capacity of regional conservation partnerships or other collaborative initiatives. Interns will have the opportunity to work on projects alone, together with another intern, and with the Regional Conservationist.
Responsibilities will include designing scopes of work consistent with the stated needs of "clients"; Internet research, writing up case studies, use of multi-media, developing web content, open space and assessor's records research, 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, Harvard University. Students are encouraged to attend seminars and guided tours held at Highstead given by nationally and internationally regarded scientists and conservationists.
Regional Conservation Program Initiatives
- Support the Regional Conservationist with the coordination of the multi-state Wildlands and Woodlands Partnership.
- Assist in the planning and implementation of a landowner workshop on land conservation and management options with other members of the Western Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership.
- Research case studies involving models of collaborative land conservation and management from around the country and develop a database with defined attributes.
- Work with Harvard Forest ecologists to compare the ecological values of landscapes built-out with conventional subdivision design and open space residential development.
- Help design and populate an on-line library of resources in the areas of regional and local conservation, land management, horticulture, and forest ecology. Topics that may be included are: forest and land use statistics and trends, forest health and conservation issues and strategies, links to successful programs and to the groups implementing them, forest landowner information and expert contact information, links to relevant science and conservation information, etc.
- Explore and design citizen science programs Highstead could offer in cooperation with its partners.
Current Research Projects
- Regional Conservation Partnerships
- Ecological Values of Zoning: Forest Conservation Overlay Districts and Open Space Residential Development
Eligibility
We seek current college students or recent graduates with a demonstrated interest and enthusiasm for the development and implementation of real world strategies for the following areas: landscape ecology, land conservation, forestry, and smart growth-based regional planning. Experience with Geographic Information Systems and Access database management is a plus. Candidates must have access to a car/truck for travel within and in some cases outside of Connecticut.
How To Apply
All application materials must be received at the address below by June 15, 2009. Candidates will be notified by July 1, 2009.
- Resume
- 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)
Please send all materials to
Bill Labich, Regional Conservationist
Highstead
PO Box 1097
Redding Center, CT 06875
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;
- Free furnished housing
