Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge launched an internship program in summer 2025.

Interns gain valuable work experience assisting staff with projects and research and may live in Refuge housing while working for up to 13 weeks. While the Refuge can sometimes provide free housing for interns, they do not always have funds to pay a living stipend for the number of interns they wish to employ. That’s where the Friends and our generous donors can step in and fill a need. The offer of free housing and a Friends-funded living stipend is a huge attraction for students across the country who are interested in conservation, life sciences, and recreation management.

Through the ongoing generous support of our donors, the Friends hope to increase our sponsorship to 3-4 interns annually over the next few years. Most will be college students involved with biology, conservation, environmental studies, or tourism and recreation management programs. Students from across the country will be eligible for any Friends-sponsored internships. We have a growing partnership with the University of New England to support internship opportunities for their students when possible, and aim to expand this to other colleges, universities, and high schools near the Refuge footprint in the coming years.

Rachel Carson Refuge Internships