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.
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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
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These positions will be available late January. For other opportunities you can visit our recruitment page or volunteer with us.
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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 2025 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!
Bryn Lister
Stewardship Intern, Charlottesville, Land Protection
Bryn recently graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University, where he studied Earth & Environmental Sciences. Originally, they are from Lebanon, Pennsylvania and they are greatly looking forward to getting more experience in the conservation field.
With the STEP program, he hopes to get to point out cool birds to his friends and to learn more about invasive plant species management. They are an avid music listener and player, and they also enjoy indoor rock climbing in their free time!
Ashley Altizer
Stewardship & Restoration Intern, Lexington, Allegheny Highlands
Ashley is from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech studying Environmental Science with a minor in Wetland Science.
"I am looking forward to monitoring the progression of oak saplings and various other vegetations as they respire from areas of prescribed burns. Forest regeneration and fire ecology are fascinating to me, so I am eager to contribute to the Warm Springs Mountain Restoration project."
Hunter Rippon
Coastal Conservation Intern, Nassawadox, Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve
Hunter is from Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He is studying Fisheries Conservation at Virginia Tech. He is excited to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay in fisheries and conservation.
"I hope to gain more experience and knowledge to further my academic career and build relationships with the best fish conservation scientists on the East Coast. Some of my hobbies are fishing and working on vehicles."
Jennifer Garcia-Herrera
Pinelands Conservation Intern, Wakefield, VA Pinelands Program
Jennifer is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She studied Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Management and a minor in GIS. Earlier in 2025, she worked in southern Georgia supporting prescribed fire operations to help restore longleaf pine ecosystems. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys going to concerts, collaging and shooting film photography..
"I am excited to continue working with The Nature Conservancy and to deepen my knowledge of pineland ecosystems, fire ecology, invasive species, and preserve management."
Chloe Magallanes
Aquatic Storytelling Intern, Richmond, Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund
Chloe is from San Antonio, Texas, a region known for its vibrant culture and community. She is studying Science in Biology at the University of Texas – Go Roadrunners!!! Chloe will be our STEP Aquatic Storytelling Intern, combining storytelling and science to spark meaningful change in conservation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog named "Stink."
"I’m always discovering and diving into new interests, so I consider myself a hobby hoarder! I love reading, crafting, collecting, travelling, music and so much more! Above all, my greatest interest lies in the wonder of animals. My greatest aspiration is to inspire others to care deeply about protecting wildlife and their ecosystems."
Lucy Ellis
GIS Wetlands Intern, Richmond, Chesapeake Bay Program
Lucy studies environmental science and GIS at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. She is eager to meet and work with the awesome people at TNC! In her free time, she enjoys singing, reading, playing guitar and birding. She also has a cat whom she adores.
Amanda Hernandez
Invasive Mapping Intern, Charlottesville, Land Protection
Amanda was born and raised in the New York metro area and graduated with honors from NYU in 2024 with a Bachelor's in Biology. She has worked as a Natural Resource Technician at Death Valley National Park in California.
Amanda will be our Plant Mapping STEP Intern this summer. "I’m excited to learn about the plant life in Virginia and meet the other interns in the program. In my free time, I love hiking and reading!"
Bella Ravella
Lands and Lives Intern, Richmond, Marketing
Bella comes from a military family and moved around quite a bit growing up. She's lived in Arizona, Florida, South Texas and, most recently, Nashville, Tennessee. She is a Belmont University graduate, where she was a Global Honors student and received a BA in Faith and Social Justice with a minor in Photographic Studies.
"Between studying abroad in Belfast, Northern Ireland spring of my Sophmore year and also growing roots in Tennessee, I’ve developed friendships across cultures and engaged in research across disciplines."
Her work focuses on the intersection of history, theology, sociology, and the arts. "I am so excited to continue developing diverse research strategies and to share meaningful stories from across the state of Virginia. My passion is for both people and place! In my free time, I love to be on the water, in the woods or behind the cover of a really great book."
Frequently Asked Questions
STEP Program
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Yes! Our internships are all paid an hourly rate. Please see the latest postings for the current salary.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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: Paddle trip with 2025 STEP interns. © 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
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