Interns & Apprentices Learn & Contribute on the Refuge
The Minnesota Valley Trust and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge launched “Mentoring the Next Generation of Conservation Professionals” in fall 2021. The Trust employs eight emerging professionals who work alongside Refuge staff, lead projects, explore careers in conservation and engage in professional development. This expanded program is made possible with support of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Four apprentices are nearing the midpoint of their two-year, full-time apprenticeships that started January 2022. They are integrated into Refuge teams in Conservation Biology, Community Outreach and Visitor Services. The Visitor Services Apprentice leads the Refuge’s social media and assists with development of a new website, as well as management of the visitor centers. The Outreach Apprentice has been engaged in many programs in the community and was tagged to lead a program with partners that connects new Minnesotans to nature through fishing. This program was featured in a MPR article in which Apprentice Mary Yang was interviewed.
The two Conservation Biology Apprentices have been involved in numerous habitat restoration and management projects, including an effort that enhanced 230 acres of grasslands habitat. They are now planning and executing their own habitat enhancement projects with support of USFWS Biologists, which includes developing work scopes, issuing RFPs and overseeing contractors.
In August 2022, our first cohort of four environmental education interns completed their one-year internships. They were replaced by the second cohort for September 2022 – August 2023 (photos and bios to be posted to this website soon!). The educators are integral to the Refuge’s Environmental Education team and engage thousands of schools students annually both in-person and virtually.
Christopher Dunham, our Internship Coordinator, leads recruitment, training and support of interns and apprentices through monthly workshops and outings, as well as networking and shadowing opportunities with USFWS staff and partners.
The Refuge engaged 19 students in its paid High School Internship program for the 2021-22 school year and full-time for nine weeks in the summer 2022. Interns engage in native seed collection, invasives removal, trash cleanup, community outreach, career readiness skill-building, conservation career exploration and outdoor recreation. A kayaking trip in the Apostle Islands was a highlight for the full-time summer interns. Read about the High School Interns in the Refuge’s 21-22 Report. Get a fun look into the interns’ experience through their D.U.C.K.S. magazine!