Learning in Virginia
College students from different fields and backgrounds turn their summers into a living classroom experience. Interviewing community members, getting hip-deep in muddy muck, building GIS maps or maintaining public lands. It’s all part of our Virginia’s Short Term Experience Program (STEP). Thanks to the collaboration with colleges and universities across the Commonwealth, we can provide guidance, expertise and real-world fieldwork to the next generation of conservationists.
Using the tabs below, learn more about our Short Term Experience Program, meet our intern cohort and discover how students are helping The Nature Conservancy (TNC) expand our outreach to communities, support conservation work and enrich our understanding of the places we protect.
Short Term Experience Program (STEP)
STEP aims to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation-focused organization. We see conservation as a broadly defined term that includes people working with our marketing, operations, philanthropy or other teams that are instrumental to our conservation mission. We strive to create an environment where people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities feel welcomed to participate in conservation.
For more information about the program, contact Taylor Fanelli, short term experience manager, at taylor.fanelli@tnc.org or 804-728-0285.
-
Positions typically open for applicants in late January.
To find open positions, visit TNC’s careers website and enter the job ID for the role you’re interested in.
Submit a resume and cover letter by the stated deadline. You must apply for each role individually.
Stay tuned for next steps. Interviews usually start shortly after the position closes and final decisions are made by late March.
Need help applying? Contact taylor.fanelli@tnc.org
-
New positions will be available late January. For other opportunities you can visit our recruitment page or volunteer with us.
-
TNC is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help manage preserves, take photos and videos for social media, assist with clean up days and more! Visit our volunteer page or email vavolunteers@tnc.org for more information.
Intern Experiences
Chloe Magallanes
STEP Intern Summer ‘25. Aquatic Storytelling
Chloe graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She worked with our Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program to help the team tell the story of their 30th anniversary. She visited restoration sites, helped with monitoring efforts and interviewed staff. She turned everything she learned into StoryMaps that are educational and a celebration of the valuable work.
Hunter Rippon
STEP Intern Summer ‘25. Coastal Conservation
Hunter graduated from Virginia Tech and as an Eastern Shore native, was excited about working with the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve Team to assist with marine habitat restoration efforts. Hunter helped cure eelgrass seeds that will contribute to the world’s largest seagrass restoration project, banded migratory birds, worked with local youth and got hands-on vehicle experience and boat education, even attaining his boater’s license.
Meet the 2026 STEP Intern Cohort
Top Virginia Employer for Interns
TNC Virginia has been named a Top Virginia Employer for Interns in 2025 by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia!
Laura Liu
Lands and Lives Intern
Laura is from Beijing, China, and is studying Geography with a minor in City Planning at the University of California, Berkeley. She is interested in conservation and sustainable solutions and hopes to deepen her knowledge through her internship with TNC. Laura is fascinated by the interdisciplinary connections among social, cultural and environmental systems and is especially curious about how these changes shape the lives of both people and animals.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, photography and practicing yoga.
Mary Gartner
Seagrass Monitoring Coordinator
Mary is from Falls Church, Virginia, and is currently studying Environmental Science and Integrative Conservation at William & Mary. She has been involved in seagrass restoration for nearly two years and is excited to continue her work in SAV monitoring while sharing her love of the Chesapeake Bay with the local community. Mary looks forward to spending the summer in Richmond, where she hopes to explore the local music scene, spend time in the city with friends, and find a peaceful outdoor spot to crochet.
Eden Zumbrun
State Policy Intern
Eden recently graduated from Bowdoin College, where she studied Environmental Studies and Government & Legal Studies. She is from New Jersey, but has spent time in Arizona, Beijing, Shanghai and Maine. She has a background in environmental policy and advocacy work, and is passionate about centering community voices to develop equitable solutions to environmental challenges. She is looking forward to learning more about Virginia and its political landscape, as well as contributing to research and writing that will help advance key climate legislation. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, exploring the outdoors and experimenting with new recipes.
"I am excited to meet everyone I'll be working with, learn more about my fellow interns' projects, and dive into new challenges over the course of the summer.”
Kendyl Farrell
Coastal Conservation Intern
Kendyl Farrell is from Chincoteague Island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. She is currently a junior at Virginia Tech studying wildlife conservation. Kendyl is very excited to be part of TNC’s team this year and to learn more about migratory birds, oyster reefs and the Barrier Islands. She has loved being outside since a young age and is committed to pursuing a career in wildlife conservation. Helping protect our world’s biodiversity is one of her greatest passions.
Jack Perdue
Stewardship Intern
Jack graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with a degree in forestry. He grew up in Orange County, Virginia and after spending time working in California, Montana and Idaho he has recently moved back to the area.
He loves spending time in the woods and hopes to learn more about managing land in Virginia. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities but none more than long walks in the woods with his dog, Lee.
Kaleb Notari
Stream and Wetland Monitoring Coordinator
Kaleb is from Charlottesville, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia where he studied Environmental Science. He recently completed a ten‑month AmeriCorps term supporting a disaster‑relief nonprofit in Florida with logistics. Kaleb has cooked for restaurants in Charlottesville and beyond, loves skateboarding despite being terrible at it, and dabbles in photography. His favorite animal is, unequivocally, the humble platypus.
Fal Elgizouli
Coastal Drone Intern
Fal is from Woodbridge, Virginia. She studies computer science and global sustainability at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She is excited to gain practical experience in remote sensing and geospatial analysis. In her free time, she enjoys sightseeing and exercising.
“I am excited to join The Nature Conservancy this summer! In this role, I’ll be contributing to coastal conservation efforts in Virginia using GIS and remote sensing as the region faces increasing climate challenges.”
Grace Parker
Pinelands Stewardship Intern
Grace is from outside Richmond, Virginia, and recently graduated from William & Mary. They researched longleaf pine understory plants during their time at William & Mary, and in 2026, they supported prescribed fires as a Type 2 wildland firefighter across southeastern Virginia. In their free time, Grace enjoys plant identification, making things and playing the mandolin. They are excited to support the management of Piney Grove Preserve and to learn more about preserve management and the flora and fauna found there.
Autumn Jeter
Landscape Architecture Intern
Autumn Jeter is a second-year Master of Landscape Architecture student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design. Originally from the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, she grew up surrounded by communities shaped by flooding and sea-level rise, which continues to inform her interest in coastal resilience and wetland restoration. She is particularly interested in how design can remain grounded in local histories while addressing long-term environmental risks.
Autumn has worked across a range of projects that combine spatial analysis, fieldwork, and public engagement, including research with the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and cultural landscape documentation for the National Park Service. As a STEP intern, she is excited to deepen her understanding of how design ideas are implemented in practice and to learn from the interdisciplinary team at TNC.
Outside of studio, Autumn enjoys working with material processes such as bookbinding and printmaking, often exploring how craft can inform her design approach.
Sebastion Tesauro
Clinch Valley Intern
Sebastion was born and raised in Richmond, VA, where he spent much of his childhood exploring around the James River. He recently graduated from William & Mary with a degree in History and Environmental Studies. He's excited to be spending six months in Southwest Virginia and looks forward to making connections, growing his skills, and contributing to local conservation efforts. He's also looking forward to weekend backpacking trips, bluegrass jams and rides on the Virginia Creeper Trail. If you can't find Sebastion outside, you'll probably find him cooking or playing music (both of which might also be happening outside). He gives his thanks to TNC for this incredible opportunity!
Leah Smith
Environmental Education
Leah Smith is a student at Washington and Lee University, planning to graduate in 2029 with a focus in Environmental Studies. Having lived on Virginia’s Eastern Shore her whole life, she has developed a deep appreciation for the region’s coastal environments and ecosystems. Leah previously worked for several years as a kayak tour guide with Southeast Expeditions, where she shared the natural history and waterways of the Eastern Shore with visitors. In her free time, she enjoys surfing along the barrier islands and spending time outdoors. She is excited to continue gaining experience in environmental education this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
STEP Program
-
TNC Virginia’s Short Term Experience Program (STEP) creates pathways for people seeking to gain experience in conservation. We provide paid internship opportunities in a range of fields, working with our team across Virginia. STEP is designed for people early in their career or with limited prior professional experience.
-
STEP is designed for people early in their career or with limited prior professional experience. Our positions are generally open to current undergraduate students, recent graduates (within one year), or current graduate students. Specific qualifications will vary slightly for each position.
-
Our summer internships are 10-week positions. Interns work full-time (35 hours/week) during that period. Typically, internships start the last week of May with an in-person orientation and end the first week of August with a remote final presentation. All interns are expected to work the same timeframe.
Positions are posted in late January and accept applicants for one month. We aim to make our final hiring decisions no later than March 31.
For positions outside of our summer cohort the timing may vary.
-
Yes! Our internships are all paid an hourly rate. Please see the latest postings for the current salary.
-
Positions are in-person and based with TNC teams across Virginia. We have offices in Charlottesville (state headquarters), Richmond, Lexington, Abingdon, Nassawadox, and Waverly. Each job description will list the location of that role and locations are non-negotiable unless otherwise stated.
Our in-semester positions are typically hybrid or remote
The Arlington, VA office (TNC’s global headquarters) is not an available location for STEP positions.
-
We know housing can be a big barrier to accepting an internship. STEP assists with that in a couple ways for our full-time summer positions. Job descriptions will have more specific housing information.
- We offer a needs-based housing stipend. Interns are responsible for finding their own housing (we have recommendations) and can use our stipend to cover the cost of the lease.
- In certain locations, TNC will provide housing. This may be shared housing with other interns or seasonal staff. TNC will cover the cost of rent, but it is considered taxable income for the intern.
-
Each role is different, and each cohort offers different roles. Some interns work on building GIS tools and maps, some are doing land management activities like invasive removal and chain-sawing downed trees. Others are doing research and writing or community engagement. Everyone’s work is connected to TNC’s mission and Virginia’s conservation goals.
All STEP positions have a few key elements. Every intern will gain hands-on skills in conservation, will have opportunities for professional development and to network with TNC staff locally and globally, and will get to travel to unique Virginia landscapes.
The STEP summer cohort of interns gets together regularly for webinars on conservation related topics and for one group field trip.
Check out our intern stories tab to learn more about past STEP projects!
-
Each role is different. In general, we’re hiring people who have an interest in our work and are looking to explore the field of conservation. Some positions require specific skills or experience (GIS, plant identification, etc.), others are open to anyone looking to gain hands-on conservation skills.
-
Of course. We often have people apply to more than one position. You need to apply to each separately and include a resume and cover letter for each.
-
To apply you need to submit a resume and cover letter to our careers website. A cover letter is required.
To find a position, visit TNC’s careers website and enter the job ID or title for the role you’re interested in.
Submit a resume and cover letter by the stated deadline. You must apply for each role individually. Be mindful of deadlines as we cannot accept applicants once the positions close.
Stay tuned for next steps – interviews usually start shortly after the position closes.
-
STEP does work with college and university partners to offer some internships throughout the school year. Be sure to check the TNC careers website and your school’s Handshake page for the most up to date postings.
Other TNC offices also offer internships throughout the year. Our careers website is the best place to check for current openings.
-
Taylor Fanelli is TNC's STEP Manager. She’s happy to help with questions about the program, the roles, working at TNC or anything else you might need. She can also do resume and cover letter reviews for interested applicants.
Contact taylor.fanelli@tnc.org
Stories from Our Interns
Colleen Stroud
STEP Intern Summer ‘24 - ArcGIS Field Maps Intern
Colleen is a Villanova University graduate. She worked with Chris DuBois to create a Field Maps tool to help the SWMP team identify and catalogue plant species found at restoration sites.
“I’m building a foundation for future data monitors or site monitors to map what they find in the field. It’s a really effective way to learn how conservation is actually done. Like from the Stewardship Team, who’s out there cutting down dead trees, to map-based jobs like mine, it’s just not your typical internship experience.”
Charlotte Welsby
STEP Intern Summer ‘24 - Preserve Accessibility
Charlotte is a Davidson College graduate. During the summer, she worked with Sam Truslow and our Stewardship Team to map accessibility features on public preserves. You can see her work on our preserve pages under “accessibility.”
“I felt like my role had a huge impact on accessibility to nature. I felt empowered that TNC genuinely trusts us to do good work and important things. All of the maps I’m making are going to go on the preserve websites so people with disabilities can have the information they need before visiting. I just like to see that our work actually makes an impact.”
Benjamin Grimes
STEP Intern Summer ‘24 - Stream Connectivity Assessment
Benjamin graduated from North Carolina State University. During the summer, he worked with Braven Beaty to conduct an assessment of stream connectivity in the Clinch River valley. Dive into the results of his work.
“I got to do a mussel habitat evaluation. I was able to go out with my supervisor into the Clinch River and go snorkeling to look for the mussel species that were in the river. I think we found maybe a dozen that were endangered species. And he told me that, in the span of just a few hours, I’d probably handled more endangered species than a lot of people would in their entire lifetime.”
Interns in Action
All STEP interns enjoy time outdoors while learning from our staff members.
Mill Pond Virginia: Summer STEP interns enjoy a paddle during a field trip to Harrell's Mill Pond and the Virginia Pinelands. © Taylor Fanelli
2025 STEP interns: Piney Grove Preserve in Virginia. © TNC
Eastern Shore boat tours: 2023 bilingual STEP intern guiding boat tours at Virginia's Eastern Shore. © TNC VA
2024 STEP Intern: STEP intern engaging with kids during a community outreach event. © TNC VA
We Can’t Save Nature Without You
Sign up to receive monthly conservation news and updates from Virginia. Get a preview of Virginia's Nature News email
Recent Stories
Volunteer in Virginia
Welcome to our community of people making a positive impact across Virginia. Connect with nature and help make a difference in Virginia.
Between the Pines and the Pages
Explore the mystery of Piney Grove Preserve, located in Sussex County, and its historic connection to the College of William and Mary, dating back to around 1693.
Recovering the Past: A History That Mirrors My Own
VVCR History Intern Vanessa Moses reflects on the enslaved individuals who built what is now Brownsville Preserve, and finds connections across time in her own family's history.