Stream Stewards Internship

About the role

The Future Leaders of Whatcom Waters (FLOW) Program provides real-world experiences and professional development opportunities for future leaders in environmental and educational fields through internship positions. The Stream Stewards Internship offers opportunities to learn about, experience, and actively participate in different facets of NSEA’s work based on individual interests and availability. The primary role is to lead volunteers in restoration and stewardship activities at community work parties on Saturdays. Interns will support volunteer events by driving shuttles, leading small groups, and assisting with educational components like macroinvertebrate identification while collaborating with the team.

These community work parties are held throughout Whatcom County, where volunteers join NSEA to plant native species, remove invasive species, and improve salmon habitat. Interns will also engage with the community through salmon sighting events in local parks.

This internship is designed for personal and professional growth, with opportunities to build skills aligned with individual learning goals. Additional experiences may include teaching fourth graders at school field trips, monitoring project support, classroom salmon releases, and supporting education and outreach events. These opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on funding, season, and intern availability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and educate groups of 5-30 volunteers in outdoor salmon ecology and habitat restoration activities at weekly volunteer “Work Parties.”
• Engage with the public during “Salmon Sighting” outreach events.
• Lift, load, and set up heavy equipment such as tents and tools, sometimes across vast outdoor restoration sites, in all weather conditions.
• Lead stewardship activities, including invasive plant removal and native tree and shrub planting, across a variety of stream-side restoration sites throughout Whatcom County.
• Work collaboratively with fellow interns to plan and organize for upcoming needs.
• Assist in all aspects of programming, including set-up, clean-up, and supply/tool maintenance.

Qualifications

• 18 years or older.
• Reliably able to get to NSEA’s campus for shifts, located at 3057 E. Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham.
• Full day (6am-4pm) availability on Saturdays from September 19 – December 12.
• Available on the following key dates:
  • Orientation on September 19 from 8am-4pm.
  • Orca Recovery Day Work Party on October 17th from 6am-4pm.
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain while lifting, carrying, or pulling program gear up to 40 lbs. (e.g., buckets of tools, canopy tents, wheeled carts with 20+ lbs. of gear).
• Some days may require more than 8 hours of standing, bending, and walking.