Mentoring the Next Generation of Conservation Professionals

The Minnesota Valley Trust and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge recently expanded their joint internship and apprenticeship program thanks to funding from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

Under the banner “Mentoring the Next Generation of Conservation Professionals,” the Trust hired 4 Environmental Education Teaching Interns for one-year, full-time positions in September 2021 and 4 Apprentices for two-year, full-time positions in January 2022. All are integrated into Refuge teams in Environmental Education, Biology, Outreach and Visitor Services where they work alongside and are mentored by US Fish & Wildlife Service professionals.

Our Internship Coordinator leads recruitment, onboarding, training and support of the interns and apprentices. Support includes monthly professional development seminars. A mentorship program pairs the apprentices with Refuge staff from a different discipline, providing them additional networking and learning opportunities.

Wages and taxes for 7 of the positions are funded by the ENRTF grant. The Trust funds the eighth position and benefits for all, including paid time off, health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, workers compensation insurance and retirement plan match.

The Refuge also recently launched a high school internship program to engage young people in learning about conservation and exploring career opportunities. During the 2021-22 school year, 12 students from schools in Burnsville, Richfield and St. Paul have engaged in monthly career discovery, restoration and recreation activities. Recruitment is underway for 9-week, full-time paid internships for the Summer 2022.