2008 Internship Project Descriptions
Conservation Trust for North Carolina
Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC)
is a statewide land trust and service provider to the network
of 23 local and regionally-based land trusts doing land conservation
work across the state. An internship with CTNC can give students
exposure to a number of land protection organizations, agencies
and tools.
The following list of project descriptions
are merely suggestions. We are flexible and open to suggestions
if students have their own project ideas, as long as they
fit within the mission and current needs of the organization.
To provide enough work for the summer, some of these projects
may be combined or other tasks/projects may be added as needed.
Given inherent uncertainty of funding and need, projects listed
may or may not be available by summer. Previous conservation
experience is desired, but not required.
For more information on the Conservation
Trust and the North Carolina land trust community, we encourage
you to visit our website: www.ctnc.org
Information Relevant
to All Internships
Location: The Conservation Trust's main
office is located in Raleigh (1028 Washington Square) near
Broughton High School, just off Wade Ave. It is about 27 miles
from campus (30 min. drive time). Depending on the project
and daily duties, interns may or may not be required to work
in the office. Space is extremely limited in the office, so
interns are expected to be flexible. While computer space
is limited, work can be done from a laptop in the office and
occasionally from a vacant staff work station. Working from
home or school is encouraged, but not required given the limited
office space.
Transportation to and from Raleigh is the responsibility
of the intern (carpooling is encouraged and 2 current staff
live in Durham). For the most part, interns will be supervised
by CTNC's Director of Land Protection, Rusty Painter (Duke
School of the Environment alum, 2000). However, there may
be projects or times where other staff members will provide
direct supervision.
General responsibilities of all CTNC interns:
Interns are given freedom to conduct their work independently,
and the responsibility to complete it as expected. Participation
in regular staff meetings, typically held Monday afternoon
in the office, is expected where interns provide a brief update
on their progress. The final week will be reserved for review
and final revisions of the project(s), final report and a
presentation to CTNC staff. Interns typically write a brief
newsletter article about their project and how they spent
the summer, including some autobiographical information.
While interns are expected to focus on their
primary project, CTNC staff present opportunities to learn
about other aspects of the organization. It is our hope that
each intern will spend some time with land protection staff
and accompany staff to at least one property during the summer
to gain a better understanding of direct land protection work.
Project ideas submitted by prospective interns:
CTNC welcomes proposals brought forth by perspective interns
in addition to those listed below.
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Project Proposal
1
Land Protection Assistant(s)
Responsibilities: Tasks & duties vary
depending on current needs. This project focus provides experience
with all aspects of land conservation by CTNC and the statewide
network of local land trusts. Duties may include some of the
following activities:
- Assist with monitoring of CTNC conservation properties,
including locating, marking and mapping boundaries of CTNC
conservation easements and properties. (GPS skills preferred)
- Update property baseline documentation reports (thorough
inventories and documentation of condition of protected properties)
- Work with CTNC Director of Public Relations to revise & update CTNC conservation totals and concise information for
press releases and public relations
- Assist with development of management guidelines and recommendations
for landowners
- Work with CTNC land protection staff to achieve compliance
with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices (see www.lta.org).
- Assist with targeted landowner outreach to individual landowners
as well as summer camps, outdoor recreation enthusiast groups
(climbers, mtn. bikers, etc.) who may be solicited as supporters
of land conservation or donors of conservation properties
These are the types of projects that will give you a good
introduction into the typical land protection activities required
of land trusts. Qualifications: Candidate must be willing
to take initiative and work independently with attention to
detail, good people skills, and willingness to adapt to changing
conditions and duties as assigned. Expertise in all areas
described above is not expected but will be favored.
Expected Products(s): Final product(s) will depend on specific tasks assigned as needed. A brief summary report of activities will be required.
Location: CTNC office in Raleigh. Work
from home or school may be necessary at times.
Supervisors: Kathy Naujoks, Stewardship Coordinator
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Project Proposal 2
Conservation Rating System
The goal is to develop a standardized conservation development rating system to incentivize and promote conservation-based housing and multi-use developments that protect the natural ecological integrity of the localized area in which they’re built. We plan to develop a pilot project geographically limited to Western North Carolina, but future iterations will permit rating of sites in other areas of the state and country. The rating system is based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, developed by the United States Green Building Council. It is hoped that LEED’s success in driving sustainable urban planning can be applied to rural, mountain get-away developments now popular in Western NC.
Expected Products(s) : Final product(s) will depend on specific tasks assigned as needed. A brief summary report of activities will be required.
Qualifications : Candidate must be willing to take initiative and work independently with attention to detail, good people skills, and willingness to adapt to changing conditions and duties as assigned. Expertise in all areas described above is not expected but will be favored.
Location : CTNC office in Raleigh. Work from home or school may be necessary at times.
Supervisor(s) : Rusty Painter , Director of Land Protection back to top
Project Proposal
3
Government Affairs Intern
Project Description: CTNC represents the state’s land trusts in the NC General Assembly and is working to increase the land trust community’s advocacy capacity statewide. This project will enhance CTNC’s capacity to monitor legislative developments during the 2008 Short Session and provide communications and policy research to assist land trust advocates in educating legislators about issues of importance to land conservation, including funding for the state’s natural resource trust funds. This project will provide the opportunity to network with staff and lobbyists from other environmental and conservation organizations, as well as state legislators. Government affairs intern also will be provided the opportunity to participate in field trips and site visits conducted by CTNC’s land protection staff to learn more about land protection issues and methods in the field.
The intern will assist CTNC Director of Government Relations in monitoring legislative and state agency proposals impacting land and water conservation in the North Carolina General Assembly. Conduct policy research for the NC Land Trust Council's (NCLTC) Government Affairs Committee and participate in the development and implementation of legislative advocacy strategies on behalf of CTNC and the NCLTC. Coordinate land trust advocacy initiatives with other conservation organizations in support of the state's natural resource trust funds and the Land for Tomorrow campaign. Assist in the organization of Land and Water Conservation Lobby Day and communications with land trust community’s grassroots advocates network.
Qualifications: Strong interest in conservation
and environmental public policy issues. Good interpersonal
communications skills, both verbal and written, and willingness
to attend legislative committee meetings and meet with legislators
and staff.
Expected Products: One issue paper 4-6 pages long on a priority public policy issue for the land trust community. Current policy research priorities include policies to address/prevent condemnation of easements, easement transfer fees and third party enforcement of easements, funding sources for land trust capacity building grants, ,and property tax incentives for land conservation.
Location: CTNC office in Raleigh or home
based office with ability to get to Legislative Building as
needed.
Supervisor: Edgar Miller, Director of
Government Relations
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Project Proposal
4
Diversity Project/ Land Protections
The Diversity Project offers the opportunity to contribute to an innovative initiative that is being undertaken by North Carolina’s land trusts. A key goal is to make the conservation movement more relevant and inclusive.
Duties may include some of the following activities:
- Assist in identifying new sites suitable for Conservation-Based Affordable Housing.
- Assist in developing the national diversity training agenda for land trusts and community development corporations.
- Assist in coordinating workshops and trainings with land trusts and community development corporations.
- Assist in landowner outreach to minority farmers.
- Research opportunities to preserve Rosenwald Schools and adjoining lands for economic development, social activities, cultural events, community resources, recreational, and other sustainable use of these historic structures.
- Research potential grant funding for future Conservation-Based Affordable Housing efforts.
Expected Products : Final product(s) will depend on specific tasks assigned as needed. A brief summary report of activities will be required.
Qualifications : Candidate must be willing to take initiative and work independently with attention to detail, possess good people skills, and be willing to adapt to changing conditions and duties as assigned. Expertise in all areas described above is not expected but will be favored.
Junior and senior undergraduates and graduate students in relevant academic programs are encouraged to apply.
Location : CTNC office in Raleigh, some work with field staff. Work from home or school may be necessary at times.
Supervisor : Barry L. Williams, Diversity Project Coordinator
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