Conservation Easements Intern

About the Organization

Natural Lands is a vibrant, regional, nonprofit organization and leader in land conservation, natural resource stewardship, and public engagement. Since the early 1950s, Natural Lands has saved open space, cared for nature, and connected people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Today, the organization is one of the nation’s largest regional land conservancies, preserving more than 135,000 acres, including a network of over 40 nature preserves and one public garden across two states and 13 counties. These properties total 23,000 acres and are enjoyed by more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Natural Lands seeks to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, aiming to build a workplace where employees feel empowered to be their full, authentic selves.

About the Role

The Conservation Easement Intern will work closely with Conservation Easement Program staff to assist with annual easement monitoring tasks. The intern will gain an understanding of the day-to-day work required within an easement program of an accredited land trust, including familiarity with the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices for Conservation Easement Stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Conservation Easement Program Director, Conservation Easement Stewards, and the Conservation Data Manager.
• Accompany staff on in-person site visits to conservation easement properties.
• Review and analyze current aerial imagery of properties using Lens by Upstream Tech.
• Fill out monitoring reports using the Landscape database and mobile app.
• Remotely monitor conservation easement properties using the Lens monitoring platform and complete associated reports.
• Support Easement staff with conservation easement language interpretation and ensure properties are compliant with easement restrictions.
• Assist Easement staff with updates to baseline reports for existing easements, including collecting impervious coverage, taking photos, and documenting property conditions.
• Assist in maintaining and updating paper and electronic easement files and entries in the Landscape database pursuant to Natural Lands’ records policy.
• Assist with drafting post-monitoring communications.

Requirements

• Highly motivated and reliable.
• Computer savvy and proficient using Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to assist and work with a wide variety of people.
• A demonstrated enthusiastic and positive attitude.
• A passion for land conservation and providing quality service.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Ability to work in-office at Hildacy Preserve and travel to conservation easement properties throughout eastern Pennsylvania on Wednesdays and Thursdays.