Accessible Wildland Trails Research Intern

Adirondack Land Trust
Internship for the Future of the Adirondacks

2025 Project: Broad Survey of Universally Accessible Wildland Trails in the Adirondacks

Project Description: This year’s lead project will be a broad scan of wildland trails with universal accessibility to help the Adirondack Land Trust identify opportunities where land protection and the potential to enhance community recreational access may intersect. Our intern will work with the director of communications, conservation staff, and partners to research sites with universal access wildland trails that provide outdoor recreation opportunities for people with disabilities and other historically underserved or marginalized populations. The information collected will provide a baseline of knowledge that can help guide land protection by identifying gaps and opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Research listings of accessible wildland trails in our service area using online resources, partner collaboration, visits to community centers, and town halls, etc.
• Assist staff in developing a checklist of conditions to guide data collection across sites.
• Travel to field sites to collect information using a standardized checklist.
• Develop a white paper or dataset that can be shared with partner organizations and serve as a reference to integrate the presence/absence of universally accessible nature trails into the Adirondack Land Trust’s land protection selection criteria.

Additional projects: Our intern will learn about each facet of our organization including stewardship, land protection, communications, philanthropy, event planning and finance. They will serve as an active member of the land trust’s conservation and communication teams. They will have the opportunity to meet with and/or shadow each staff member to gain an understanding of the scope of land trust work, and to further hone their interest in the conservation profession.

Learning Outcomes: Over the course of the summer, the intern will

• Gain a deep awareness of on-the-ground conservation work, which can be applied to environmental career or graduate school search in the future
• Understand the variety of professional roles within the field of conservation
• Gain insight into working with a board of directors and other advisors
• Learn how a nonprofit organization functions

Dates, Compensation and Benefits:

Pay: $16.75/hour, plus mileage reimbursement for job-related travel (if using personal vehicle)

Dates: Flexible start and end dates to correspond with college summer break, 35 hours/week.

Housing: A shared apartment (two bedrooms, one bathroom) is provided free of charge in Au Sable Forks, NY. Staff will talk with the successful candidate about their housing needs and any accommodations necessary.

A reliable source of transportation is necessary to travel the vast geography of the Adirondack Park.

Other benefits: Intern will be encouraged to use this project in future internship, job or graduate school applications. The intern will be included in ALT staff meetings, spend time with other staff, and learn how a professional land trust applies conservation and land protection tools. Budget is provided for virtual or in-person professional development opportunities. At the conclusion of the internship, an evaluation will be conducted to review performance and provide the intern with an opportunity to share feedback to help improve the experience for future interns.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of college completed
• Interest and experience in conservation, outdoor recreation, and expanding access to the outdoors
• Proficiency in research skills and data organization
• Strong writing skills
• Comfortable being outdoors in all kinds of weather, sometimes in backcountry
• Ability to travel throughout the Adirondack Park
• Comfortable working and traveling alone, or without an accompanying staff member
• Public interaction skills

Helpful personal traits:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Enthusiastic, positive, well-organized and flexible
• Motivated self-starter, able to work independently with minimal direction
• Efficient time management
• Interest in access to nature for people with varying physical abilities

To apply: Please send resume, cover letter, and three references to Kathy Woughter, Adirondack Land Trust, at [email protected] by February 14, 2025.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATEMENT

Data show that some candidates do not apply for a job because they don’t feel that they meet all the qualifications listed. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. As a small and growing organization, we appreciate a diverse set of skills and candidates eager and willing to grow and learn with our organization. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to succeed in this role, we want to hear from you.

We strive for a collegial environment of people who generate innovative ideas and work hard to implement them. We value diversity, equity and inclusion as essential to all aspects of conservation work, and to ensuring that the Adirondack Park welcomes and provides benefits for all people. We also understand the value of work/life balance.

ALT affirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity for all individuals. Decisions about recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, compensation, benefits, and all similar employment matters are made in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, military status or any other classification protected by federal or state law. Any discrimination in the workplace against persons protected by equal employment opportunity laws is illegal and against policy.

Accessibility note: While the Adirondack Land Trust office can be entered by wheelchair, the bathrooms do not meet ADA accessibility standards and the second floor is not accessible. The land trust is in the process of searching for a new office space that will be universally accessible. The timeline for relocating is uncertain. We welcome discussions about how we can support applicants through the application process and in performing essential functions of the internship