Environmental Education Intern

Internship Opportunity: Environmental Education Intern

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation (LF) Environmental Education internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystem while gaining hands-on experience with environmental education, interpretation, and community engagement. Through participation in the Learning Laguna (LL) school program and community education events, interns learn alongside Foundation staff and experienced docents while developing skills in facilitating engaging and inclusive experiences for youth and adults.

This internship is especially well-suited for students interested in environmental education and interpretation, teaching and working with elementary-age students, and community outreach and engagement.

The Environmental Education internship provides opportunities for students to:

• Deepen their knowledge about the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystem and the importance of watershed conservation.
• Build a sense of belonging in the environmental education field through inclusive, community-based learning experiences.
• Gain hands-on experience facilitating environmental education programs for elementary-age students in the classroom and outdoor field settings.
• Develop strong communication and collaboration skills by learning and working alongside Foundation staff, docents, teachers, and community participants.
• Enhance adaptability and problem-solving skills in dynamic, outdoor learning environments and during community events.
• Practice cultural sensitivity and inclusive engagement while interacting with diverse audiences.
• Strengthen organizational and project management skills through participation in the planning, preparation, logistics, and documentation that support successful environmental education events.
• Grow as a passionate environmental educator, inspiring others to connect with nature and support sustainability.

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation is a watershed-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Sonoma County, California. We work to restore and conserve the Laguna de Santa Rosa and inspire the local community to appreciate and care for this vital resource. Our work includes restoring riparian forest habitat along creeks that flow into the Laguna, conserving vernal pools and the endangered species that depend on them, growing locally collected native plants in our nursery, and providing environmental education opportunities for children and the broader community.

Learning Opportunities & Internship Activities

Depending on program schedules and seasonal needs, interns may participate in a variety of supervised activities designed to build environmental education and community engagement experience, including:

Learning Laguna

• Build knowledge of environmental education methods and curriculum by participating in training on Learning Laguna classroom and field activities from January through March.
• Gain hands-on experience engaging elementary-age students by practicing effective teaching skills alongside staff and docents during Learning Laguna classroom activities and field trips, 1–3 mornings per week from March through May. 
• Learn how environmental education programs are prepared and coordinated by organizing, preparing, restocking, and maintaining program materials used in the classroom and field activities.

Community Education

• Gain experience with public environmental education programs by participating in event preparation, setup, and participant engagement.
• Develop community engagement skills by interacting with participants and supporting their involvement in activities.
• Build confidence facilitating learning opportunities by co-leading small groups in stewardship or environmental education activities alongside staff or experienced volunteers during events.

Outreach

• Practice environmental communication and storytelling by capturing photos and short videos during Learning Laguna and Community Education programs.
• Gain experience with community outreach by joining staff at community events and festivals, and engaging with members of the public at informational tables.

Program Coordination & Support

• Learn how volunteer-led education programs are developed and supported by participating in preparation for docent training, including organizing training materials and assembling participant binders.
• Gain familiarity with program administration and evaluation through experience with data entry, participant tracking, program material organization, and other systems used to coordinate education programs.

Qualifications & What We’re Looking For

Applicants must be current undergrad or graduate students and be at least 18 years of age. We welcome students interested in exploring careers in environmental education, environmental science, education, child development, natural resource interpretation, community engagement, or related fields. We’re looking for interns who are curious, dependable, ready to learn, and interested in gaining hands-on experience in environmental education and community engagement. Ideal applicants will have the following qualities and interests: 

• Be currently studying education, child development, environmental education, biology, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.
• Have an interest in environmental education, working with children, and community engagement. 
• Be comfortable interacting with elementary-age students and members of the public. 
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and organizational skills and an ability to communicate with empathy and respect for different perspectives and experiences. 
• Be comfortable asking questions, receiving guidance, and learning alongside Foundation staff and experienced docents. 
• Demonstrate reliability, attention to detail, and ability to follow directions and established procedures.
• Be comfortable learning and working in a mix of classroom, office, community event, and outdoor environments.
• Have an interest in learning about the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystems and sharing that knowledge with others. 
• Previous experience working with children, teaching, facilitating groups, or participating in environmental education programs is helpful but not required. 
• Familiarity with common office technology, social media, or content creation is also helpful but can be developed through the internship. 
• Interest in environmental justice and community-based or nonprofit environmental work is also welcome. 
• Conversational Spanish and experience with diverse communities are welcomed but not required.

Physical Requirements

The Environmental Education Internship includes a combination of classroom, office, community event, and outdoor activities. With or without reasonable accommodation, interns should be able to: 

• Work at a computer and handle educational and program materials.
• Navigate a two-story building using stairs.
• Lift and move program materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Comfortably spend time in school classrooms, including sitting in child-size chairs, moving around classrooms, and interacting with groups of children.
• Hike up to two miles over uneven terrain during outdoor education activities.
• Spend time outdoors in varying weather conditions and in natural areas where poisonous plants, stinging or biting insects, and other environmental hazards may be present.

Background Check Requirement

This internship involves working directly with children in both classroom and outdoor learning settings. As part of our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all participants, a background check must be completed prior to the start of the internship.

Travel Requirements

Local travel is required for some internship activities. Interns must have reliable transportation to and from the Laguna Environmental Center and a valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle for travel between program and project sites. Interns may occasionally transport program materials between locations.

The Laguna Environmental Center is not readily accessible by public transportation; there are currently no bus stops within convenient walking distance.

Internship Schedule

The Environmental Education internship begins in January with training and program preparation, with hours scheduled in coordination with the intern’s availability. 

From March through May, interns are expected to participate in Learning Laguna 1–3 weekday mornings per week, generally between the hours of 7:30 am and 12:30 pm. Internship hours will be arranged with the supervisor. Participation in occasional evening and Saturday community education programs may also be expected as part of the internship experience. 

Compensation and Duration

Internships are paid via a stipend. The $1,630 stipend is intended to cover travel, meals, or other personal costs the student incurs related to the internship. Half of the total stipend is paid to the student upon the completion of 50% of the agreed-upon hour commitment, and the second half is paid at the end of the internship. The Laguna Foundation cooperates fully with academic credit-granting programs. Students receiving academic credit should consult with their professors or advisors concerning evaluation forms or other requirements.

Internships require a 90-hour commitment located in Santa Rosa, CA. We offer one Environmental Education internship session that aligns with the Spring semester (January - May) academic calendar. 

Our paid internship program aligns with the college semesters at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University, but applicants enrolled in other schools are also encouraged to apply.

Application Procedure and Deadline

Prospective interns should email one PDF document containing all of the following: A cover letter indicating interest and availability (dates and number of hours per week), a résumé, and an unofficial transcript. In your cover letter, please tell us about yourself, what inspires you to pursue an internship in the environmental and/or education field, and why you are interested in an internship at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting on the following dates:

Spring: Advertising November 1, 2026 through January 10, 2027. Interviews will be scheduled starting December 14, 2026.

Contact

Christine Fontaine, Education Director: christine@lagunafoundation.org or 707.527.9277x102