http://grassrootsecology.org

Grassroots Ecology

Intern

June - August 2018 • Palo Alto, CA

What I liked

The staff were all very helpful and very positive. It was a great introduction to the fields of habitat restoration and community engagement. I also liked getting to spend time at many different open space preserves in the area, many of which I'd never even heard of. I liked that the intern cohort was small, so we all got to participate a lot, and we were able to get to know each other. The capstone projects were also a great way to delve more into a specific project or aspect of the organization.

What I wish was different

I actually wish it had been a full week of work. We only had workdays on Mon, Wed, and Fri.

Advice

Get ready to get your hands dirty!
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Habitat Restoration Intern

June - August 2020 • Palo Alto, CA

What I liked

Worked outdoors at restoration sites assisting project managers with stewardship duties. I also developed local ecological knowledge within many different disciplines, including botany, hydrology, geology, and entomology. It was really fun to be outside everyday.

What I wish was different

There were a lot of early mornings and far car drives to the locations.

Advice

Get to know your California native plants!
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Restoration Intern

June - August 2020 • Palo Alto, CA

What I liked

Every week there was an educational component and environmental science theme covered. The entire internship was spent outside in various preserves and parks, where we removed invasive species and took beautiful hikes.

What I wish was different

I wish there was a bit more diversity within the group cohort and in the areas we worked in. Often times we worked in areas of high-income brackets.

Advice

Take advantage of meeting new people and network with the individuals who present or lead certain days. I loved how they always showed examples of possible job opportunities and positions within the restoration field.
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Conservationist Intern

June - August 2018 • Palo Alto, CA

What I liked

Broad topics on field of conservation

What I wish was different

If it we're a paid internship

Advice

Be prepared to learn lots of plants
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Habitat Restoration Intern

June - September 2018 • Palo Alto, CA

What I liked

Hands-on experience, supervisors, fellow interns

What I wish was different

More organized / set scheduling with a clear idea of what each day's goals were

Advice

Take advantage of the guest speakers and ask a lot of questions
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