Winter Ecological & Environmental Internship Program
Applications for the 2026 Winter Internship Program are Open!
The Cache Creek Conservancy offers internships to college and university students or recent graduates. Our internship programs usually follow the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
Ecological and Environmental Interns assist Conservancy staff with habitat restoration for native wildlife and plants within the nature preserve and other sites along the lower Cache Creek watershed.
This internship program is designed to introduce participants to environmental fieldwork and data management. While the program is targeted towards current undergraduate students and recent graduates (graduated within the last two years), we still accept applications from those who have graduated more than two years ago or those who are enrolled in graduate studies/certificates.
For the winter, the Internship program is made up of three distinct project teams (see below). Applicants are to select a project team in their application.
The internship is unpaid; however, credit units may be available with the support of a faculty sponsor from your major department.
Important Dates:
- Applications open – October 28th, 2025
- Applications close – November 17, 2025
- Internship begins – January 4, 2026
- Internship ends – March 12, 2026
Required Time Commitment
It takes 30 hours to complete the internship, which is typically three hours per week. More hours can be accommodated as well.
Each workday will last three hours. Winter internship teams take place in the mornings (9 AM to 12 PM) or afternoons (1 PM to 4 PM).
The commitment is for one quarter with the choice to continue for additional quarters. If you are graduating or have graduated, you may still apply.
Skills Developed with Successful Completion
- Floral and/or faunal species identification
- Biological monitoring methods
- Information management
- Familiarity with data entry and analysis techniques and software
- Familiarity with ArcGIS
- Application of ecological theories to restoration design
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team of peers
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Project Teams
Ecological Horticulture Team
- Collect seeds from seed garden and other areas of the preserve
- Maintaining seed inventory and nursery inventories
- Propagating species as needed
- Maintaining nursery tools and supplies
- Keeping areas within the urban habitat boundary weeded, irrigated and pruned as necessary
- Maintain plant lists and GIS mapping of botanical garden areas
- Conduct vegetation surveys of habitat areas in the Cache Creek watershed
Wildlife Monitoring Team
- Manage game camera program
- Track and log game camera and other wildlife data
- Assist with owl pellet dissection study and small mammal surveying
- Field monitoring and surveying as needed
- Monitor habitats and create recommendations for habitat enhancement
Bird Nest Box Monitoring and Bird Habitat Enhancement Team
- Learn and utilize bird survey techniques to track and log data and develop reporting systems on avian abundance and diversity
- Monitor nest boxes for songbirds, wood ducks per appropriate breeding seasons
- Build, maintain, and install nest boxes as necessary
- Monitor bird habitats and create recommendations for habitat enhancement
How to Apply
You will need to submit a resume and a cover letter explaining why you would like to intern at Cache Creek Conservancy, how your past experiences have prepared you for this internship, and how the project team you are choosing to participate in will provide the experience that fits with your educational and/or career goals.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM November 17th, 2025.
You should see a form in the green box below. If you don’t please feel free to Contact Us directly.
Thank you for your interest in the Winter 2026 Ecological Internship at Cache Creek Conservancy. We are no longer accepting applications at this time. Please follow our Instagram or Facebook page for updates on the 2026 Spring Ecological Internship!