Job DetailsJob Location: HHFT - Beacon, NY 12508Position Type: InternshipSalary Range: $17.00 - $18.00 HourlyPosition Title:            Natural Resources Summer 2026 Intern   Reporting to:             Natural Resources Coordinator   Location:                   Beacon, New York   Our Mission:             To create and steward a 7.5-mile linear park along the Hudson River that solves existing safety concerns around visitation, provides welcoming access to people of all abilities, restores and protects natural resources, and enhances quality of life for local communities.                                                     Mission of Position:  The Natural Resources Intern will support Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail’s (HHFT’s) stewardship and ecological restoration initiatives across priority sites along the Fjord Trail corridor. Reporting to the Natural Resources Coordinator and working collaboratively with the Community and Visitor Relations Manager, the intern will assist with volunteer-led invasive species management, native seed collection and processing, restoration planting, and ecological monitoring. This position offers hands-on field experience in restoration ecology, volunteer engagement, and applied conservation practices. The intern will help prepare and support volunteer trainings, serve as an assistant crew leader during stewardship events, and contribute to field data collection and documentation efforts that advance HHFT’s commitment to ecological excellence and resilient, biodiverse landscapes.   Principle Responsibilities may include: Volunteer Training & Stewardship Assist in the development and delivery of volunteer training materials related to iMapInvasives data collection, field documentation protocols, and introductory Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) concepts. Serve as Assistant Crew Leader during volunteer stewardship events, supporting invasive species removal, native seed collection, and planting/restoration workdays. Reinforce safety procedures, proper tool use, and best management practices during all field activities. Native Seed Nursery Development Support seasonal native seed collection across designated restoration areas. Assist with seed cleaning, processing, labeling, storage, and inventory management. Organize and maintain seed documentation to support future restoration planning. Ecological Monitoring & Documentation Assist with post-treatment monitoring of invasive species management sites. Collect and organize field data, including GPS points, vegetation observations, and photo documentation. Compile and organize field notes, datasets, and imagery for reporting and long-term planning. Support seasonal data organization and preparation for end-of-season reporting. Qualifications Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program in ecology, environmental science, natural resources, forestry, biology, environmental studies, GIS, or a related field. Demonstrated interest in conservation, restoration ecology, and public lands stewardship. Familiarity with regional plant identification, invasive species management, or habitat restoration concepts. Experience with field data collection (e.g., transects, GPS data points, vegetation surveys). Interest in or experience using GIS tools (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Google Earth) and mobile data collection applications. Experience working with volunteers or engaging with the public is preferred. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established protocols. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting. Comfort working outdoors in varying weather conditions and terrain. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Availability for occasional weekend hours.   Duration:  Full-time (35 hours/week) internship from June 1- August 15 Compensation:   Competitive salary range of: $17.00 -18.00 per hour Contact: Please submit a resume and cover letter as one combined document and a short writing sample of a field report, class project, or data work (if available) as part of your application. Further information can be found on our website: https://hhft.org/news/opportunities/. No phone calls please. Background: The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail will be a new 7.5-mile riverfront linear park in the Highlands region of the Hudson River Valley. With the project currently under construction, this job is an opportunity to join the dynamic and growing team that will ultimately build, manage, and program the new linear park. The Fjord Trail, in its design and future programming, will emphasize accessibility to a variety of outdoor experiences for all ages and abilities to enjoy – from rugged hikes to shoreline walks to immersive forest and marsh meanders. Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc. is a non-profit subsidiary of Scenic Hudson, Inc.     Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail and Scenic Hudson provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type.  Decisions related to all terms and conditions of employment are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.