Riverine-Terns program

RRF’s Riverine-terns internship program provides an opportunity for high school youth in the Milwaukee area to gain work experience in the environmental field, allowing them to invest in and impact their city while assisting RRF in carrying out our mission.

Finding a job as an inexperienced worker that provides hands-on training, educational opportunities and the development of transferable job skills in the green sector can be a daunting task. After completing the term of employment, interns will have gained the skills and practical applications necessary to pursue standard entry-level jobs within the natural resource management field. Interns will develop an understanding of natural resource management within an urban setting and much-needed stewardship ethic of limited greenspaces. Providing opportunities to gain skills within other departments of RRF will develop an understanding of non-profit management.

The environmental sector reports hiring less than 20% people of color (Taylor, 2014).

Our recent strategic planning has identified that our organization must commit to diversifying to better reflect the community we serve. Internship participants ideally will be diverse in age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and/or economic backgrounds. This increased diversity will benefit the organization with fresh perspectives across multiple platforms that will enable us to better serve the surrounding community and secure sustainable succession opportunities from within our community.

Interns implement various best management practices on properties owned and managed by RRF under the supervision of the Land Manager and Field Supervisor. Interns also assist with leading community volunteers during FORB, in addition to large corporate work days. Additionally, the internship offers hands-on training and educational components throughout all departments of the land trust, offering a diverse range of skill sets to be gained.

What our interns say

"One of the skills I learned [was] leadership ... I lead a hike [with a Bader Philanthropies representative]. I didn't feel comfortable doing that because I get nervous speaking in front of people, but I overcame that fear and was confident. These people have been so motivating."

"I liked anytime there were volunteers. I was shy talking to volunteers because that was different to anything I had done before and I didn't feel confident. I asked enough questions so I felt comfortable to speak about RRF and talk to volunteers."

"I've gained better leadership skills. I've learned how to present to a large group of people for extended period of time."

"The most valuable skills I learned were different conservation processes. Before, I had some ideas, but know I feel that I have more key knowledge and tools that I can use in the future."

Riverine-Terns program

Interns gain skills & work experience

Supports workforce diversity

Additional support for restoration efforts

What our interns say

Support our internship program

Download our informational brochure

Sponsor our internship program

Download the 2023 Impact Report

Have a question about the program? Contact us.