Jamaica Bay Seed Increase & Restoration Internship

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Through its visionary leadership and high impact staff, the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) champions urban natural areas in New York City and across the nation through innovative research, partnerships, and advocacy. We increase the health and resilience of urban forests and wetlands, catalyze connections between people and nature, and strengthen the environmental workforce. 

Started in 2012, the Natural Areas Conservancy is the first park conservancy dedicated exclusively to New York City’s natural areas–20,000 acres across all five boroughs. Since 2019, we have also worked on a national scale, leading a network of representatives from cities across the U.S. to strengthen research, information sharing, and communication efforts to enhance the field of urban forest management.

We want all people to feel welcomed, inspired by, and connected to the natural world.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Following Hurricane Sandy, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and its partners at the National Park Service, NYC Parks Department, and the NAC created the Marian S. Heiskell Nursery at Floyd Bennett Field (FBF) to supply beachgrass for dune restoration projects in New York City. Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) plays an important role in fortifying dunes, which are crucial for protecting coastal communities and ecosystems from storms and sea level rise. The production site at FBF is managed by the Seed Increase Program (SIP) at the Greenbelt Native Plant Center (GNPC), part of the NYC Parks Department. In the intervening years, the site has expanded to produce native seed from over 20 species for use in restoration projects around the city. In this position, interns will 1) gain an understanding on the importance of ecological restoration through hands-on learning, 2) work alongside groups such as NYC Parks staff, volunteer groups and JBRPC Wetlands Fellows to actively improve ecosystems in Jamaica Bay, and 3) be a part of the team establishing, cultivating, and harvesting native seed and plants at FBF. Interns will also get hands-on experience at GNPC’s Staten Island facility.  

Under the guidance of GNPC staff members, interns will also have an opportunity to assist on a project that is a priority for GNPC that will fall under the three focus areas above. As a publicly-funded center for ecological restoration, GNPC can provide a well-rounded, real-world experience to CUNY students interested in pursuing careers in horticulture and green jobs.

The NAC is offering two (2) Jamaica Bay Seed Increase & Restoration Intern positions, which are available only to enrolled or recently graduated students in any CUNY college (two year post graduation). 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of NAC & NYC Parks/GNPC staff, Jamaica Bay Seed Increase & Restoration Interns will receive project-specific training. Tasks will include:

• Assisting in farm work at Floyd Bennett Field including planting, harvesting, and weeding
• Working with volunteers and community groups in farming and restoration activities
• Joining GNPC seed collectors or the JBRPC Wetlands Fellows on field days around Jamaica Bay
• Independently working through a small ecological restoration at Floyd Bennett Field, including site selection and preparation, developing a plan, and monitoring conditions
• Building a knowledge of the habitats and plant species of New York’s natural areas
• Participating in professional development activities and group stewardship events offered 
• Reporting promptly to field sites and independently managing time to accomplish daily and monthly tasks
• Supporting GNPC activities, including nursery work, seed cleaning, program development, and data analysis

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Current CUNY student or recent graduate (graduated Spring 2022 or later)
• Demonstrated coursework in environmental science, botany, wetland ecology, or related fields
• Interest in studying and improving local ecosystems 
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and written communication skills 
• Ability to travel/work independently 
• Enthusiasm for physical work and time outdoors in remote locations and varying weather conditions
• Collaborative attitude and clear communication
• Computer/Microsoft Office skills

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of NYC ecology
• Plant identification knowledge
• Wetland management knowledge
• Gardening or horticulture experience
• Proximity to Floyd Bennett Field (link to location below) or access to a vehicle.

JOB LOCATION:

The Jamaica Bay Seed Increase & Restoration Intern position will report directly to Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. Please note that this position is 80% outdoors and 20% office with the opportunity to work at the Greenbelt Native Plant Center in Staten Island, NY. 

During this internship there will also be stewardship events planned at sites that can be located in all five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island), but that are accessible via public transportation.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

$18.50/hour. As a seasonal position, the role is paid for hours worked and is not eligible for medical benefits. This position will accrue sick/safe leave in accordance with company policy.

The schedule for this year-long position will be as follows:  

• Summer 2024 (full-time; 35 hours/week): Monday, June 24th – Friday, August 16th (8 weeks)
• Fall 2024 (part-time to accommodate classes; 14 hours/week): Monday, Sept. 16th – Friday, Dec. 6th (12 weeks)
• Spring 2025 (part-time to accommodate classes; 14 hours/week): Tuesday, Feb. 18th – Friday, May 9th (12 weeks)

Jamaica Bay Seed Increase & Restoration Interns may be eligible to participate in an exchange program which would include an all expenses paid trip to the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (LLNPP) in Eleuthera, Bahamas during the week of Sunday, June 16th – Sunday, June 23rd. Selected NAC exchange participants must also be available throughout the week of Sunday, June 9th – Saturday, June 15th to guide LLNPP interns during their exchange trip to NYC.