WWF Overview

For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field – more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at WWF is an organization as diverse as the world we protect; where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combines to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible — bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Collaboration.

BRIDGE – Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence

WWF’s diversity-focused internship program, BRIDGE, aims to recruit professionals early in their careers who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental and conservation sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of leaders. Our mission is to increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to conservation and environmental careers, provide professional development opportunities, reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates, and develop a pipeline for future WWF hires from underrepresented populations.

Position Summary

Black farmers are losing their land across the country. In 1920, there were 949,889 Black farmers in the US (about 14% of farmers) but today there are just 45,508 Black farmers, or 1.3% of farmers. Nearly all remaining Black farmers are located in the Mid-Mississippi Delta, but 30-50% of southern Black-owned land is estimated to be owned through heirs’ property. And, insecure land tenure is the single leading cause of involuntary land loss among African Americans.

Heirs’ Property is the legal term for land that is owned by two or more people, usually people with a common ancestor who has died without leaving a will. Since Black land owners had less access to lawyers, and an understandable distrust of usually white lawyers, it used to be extremely common to leave land without a will. Over generations, this has meant land owned by far-flung descendants, some who do not even know they own the land – and it can lead to forced sales for all common owners if just one chooses to sell, leading to loss of land. While land is held under heirs’ property, farmers (or foresters) cannot access USDA programs and grants, take out loans to improve the land, and more. This results in a lack of opportunities for land management and wealth diminution over time.

While there are some small non-profits working with individuals to clear titles, this is very expensive and can take many years. It is not scalable. However, there are also well-funded land investment funds across the US looking to invest in farmland, improve it, often with a focus on sustainability improvements to drive value, and then sell it for a profit. We would like to explore whether there is a way to use farmland funds to address heirs’ property issues. For example, could a farmland trust work with Black farmers to purchase the land through some of the legal loopholes that exist, but in partnership with those farmers who are trying to clear their titles? This would bring immediate increased value to the land by clearing the title and the farmland trust could still make investments and improvements – but with legal protections and a financial structure that over time the land vests back to the original Black farmers to end up in wealth creation.

However, we are not sure if this is even possible. Is there enough value that could be created for the farmland trusts to be interested? Is there a way to ensure appropriate and strong protections for Black farmers? Can this be done in a short enough period to allow true wealth creation for Black farmers and their families while also achieving the goals of the farmland trust? What legal hurdles will prevent this and can they be overcome? There are numerous questions to answer to find out if this could even work.

• Explore the current state of farmland in heirs’ property.
• Create a high-level economic model of whether there is a structure to benefit both black farmers and farmland trusts.
• Understand legal hurdles and if they are addressable or not.
• Explore and model potential financial structures that would vest farmland back to black farmers in a way that is supportive of those farmers while achieving goals of farmland trusts.
• If it seems feasible, understand and advise on what key partners would need to be involved.

Minimum Requirements:

• Pursuing a graduate program in business or a related field. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date (June 17, 2024).
• Previous work and understanding of financial structures and models (can be through coursework and projects, not just career opportunities)
• Strong research skills, both qualitative and quantitative
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Any experience or knowledge of land trusts and land investments is a plus. Any connection to farmland or this issue is a bonus, but certainly not needed since it is not common!
• Interest in land investment, agriculture, and wealth generation through land ownership
• Ability to grasp complicated problems, synthesize information, and think creatively

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of heirs’ property and innovative approaches for solving this complex issue
• Understanding of how land investment funds or similar vehicles can be used to accomplish social goals
• Practical research skills
• Experience connecting research to decision making and actionable results
• Greater understanding of food and agriculture systems in the US through a racial equity lens

WWF interns will be provided a set of professional development opportunities, aimed at increasing their exposure to conservation and sustainability careers. This includes:

• Development discussions with their manager;
• Up to two online courses through Cornell University’s eCornell program;
• Speed mentoring with different WWF teams;
• Opportunity to present their work to intern peers and WWF staff;
• Session on resume and interviewing best practices.

Interns will also have access to an array of networking opportunities. This includes meetings with WWF’s CEO, the senior management team, Employee Resource Groups, and representatives from other departments.

Location:

US-DC-Washington OR US Remote – WWF employs interns in all states with the exception of: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Wyoming.

Compensation:

Paid – $21 per hour (full-time, 35 hours per week)

Internship Dates:

Internship will run from June 17, 2024 to August 23, 2024

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume & cover letter through our Careers page, Requisition #BR-2427

In your cover letter, please describe your relevant skills and experience for this position and include a discussion of 1) how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and 2) what you hope to gain from the internship.

If selected for the role, you will need to provide 1 letter of recommendation as part of the WWF application process.

*Please note that interns must have U.S. work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa.

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.