Minnesota Land Trust

Contact: Jeanne Wright, Land Protection Specialist
2356 University Ave. W. Suite 400
St. Paul, MN 55114
651-647-9590
Fax: 651-647-9769

The Minnesota Land Trust is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to permanently protecting land and water resources that define Minnesota communities and enrich the quality of life of its residents and visitors. Our land protection efforts are focused primarily on private lands, using conservation easements, as noted in MN statute. Conservation easements allow landowners to put development and use restrictions on their properties. These restrictions carry over for all subsequent landowners. This relates specifically to the farming industry in that the lands that are designated agricultural in a conservation easement will never be bulldozed for housing developments. These protected lands are forever working farms.

Interns may work in the areas of:

1. Field work: inventory field sites (i.e. biological surveys of flora and fauna), create field reports (including mapping and photography) for properties, and assist with monitoring protected lands.
2. Research: assist with researching topics such as: stewardship/land management techniques, forestry and agricultural easements, other conservation easement programs.
3. Community organization: assist community volunteers in their communication and education efforts, and land protection strategies. Interns should have background/interest in biological and/or earth sciences (botany, zoology, geology, etc.), photography, cartography, water resources, land use planning. We prefer a full semester commitment. Internships generally coincide with the Fall and Spring semesters. A minimum of 10 hours per week is also preferred.

Currently we do not have grant funding for internship positions. Benefits include the opportunity to form contacts with Minnesota's environmental community, including nonprofit organizations and government agencies; the opportunity to combine an interest in the environment with community planning and development; travel and hike privately owned lands across Minnesota; and internships are a great supplement to any resume. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to the above address.