Bird-Friendly Maple Intern

About Audubon 

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety. 

Position Summary: Audubon Vermont seeks an applicant pursuing, or having recently completed a degree in conservation, natural resources, forestry, ecology, ornithology, and related fields to serve as the Bird-Friendly Maple Intern. The person in this position will work with Audubon’s Senior Associate, Forest Conservation on a variety of projects specific to the Bird-Friendly Maple program.

The applicant will participate in ongoing conservation projects, and gain valuable experience interacting with professional biologists, educators, and leadership at Audubon, as well as with other environmental professionals in Vermont. This position will contribute to the goals of Audubon Vermont by supporting one or more strategic conservation program areas including Wings Over Working Lands and Climate.

The position will occur during the summer of 2026 (May 11-August 15) with a time frame that can be adapted to meet a variety of academic schedules. Applicants must commit to working at least 200 hours over this time period.

Length of Internship: 10 weeks

Location: Remote

Hours: 20/week

Compensation:

$19.00 / hour

Essential Functions

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives:

During the internship, you will work with Bird-Friendly Maple Program staff to:

• Conduct maple sugarbush inventories and habitat assessments for maple producers through the Bird-Friendly Maple program. This includes communications and scheduling site visits with landowners, interacting with landowners and collecting data during site visits, and writing follow-up reports to be provided to landowners.

• Monitor Vermont forest bird species of conservation concern in participating sugarbushes.

• Conduct public outreach. This may include drafting factsheets, blogs, webpage and/or social media content, and other outreach materials to support Audubon Vermont’s conservation programs.

• Collaborate with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

Additional tasks and projects may include the following:

• Participate in outreach activities, which may include bird walks, workshops and special events.

• Attend meetings with public officials, environmental leaders, scientists and volunteers to support Audubon Vermont’s participation and contributions.

• Opportunities to participate in other Audubon Vermont conservation projects including the Green Mountain Audubon Center MAPS bird banding station, Common Tern Recovery Project, and Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle monitoring.

• Opportunity to develop a capstone project with guidance from the Senior Associate, Forest Conservation.

Internship Benefits:

Interns will gain experience and knowledge in the following:

• Forest and habitat inventory procedures

• Habitat needs of Vermont’s priority forest songbirds

• Bird monitoring protocols

• Analysis of forest inventory data

• Habitat management planning and report writing

• Outreach and communication with private landowners and the public

Intern Schedule:

The Bird-Friendly Maple Intern will work 14-20 hours per week. Schedule varies depending on needs of the program and accommodations for other aspects of the intern’s schedule. May involve early mornings, weekends, and evenings.

Projected Start Date/End Date:

May 11, 2026 with a projected end date of August 15, 2026 (flexible)

Qualifications and Experience:

• Working toward or a recent graduate of a bachelor’s or higher degree in conservation, forestry, natural resources, environmental studies or related field.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Familiarity with or willingness to learn about the management of, and silviculture systems used in, New England forests, with a particular focus on maple sugarbushes.

• Familiarity with natural resource inventory techniques.

• Familiarity with, and basic identification skills of, Vermont’s forest birds (by sight and sound) as well as tree, and shrub species (including non-native plant species).

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Well organized and an ability to focus on details.

• Self-starter and ability to work independently, including operating in remote situations.

• Strong work ethic.

• Dedicated and excited about working in a dynamic, fast-paced nonprofit organization.

• Appetite for learning and growth.

• Genuine interest in environmental protection, conservation, education, the mission of the National Audubon Society, and social and environmental justice.

• Ability to work safely outdoors in a variety of challenging conditions, including operating independently.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Willingness to drive up to 2 hours to reach field sites.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.