The Understory Initiative (TUI) is a 501-(c)3 non-profit organization based in Medford, Oregon, with projects throughout the Rogue Basin. Our mission is to facilitate the restoration and conservation of native species habitat through partnership and community engagement. As a TUI “sister organization”, Vesper Meadow Education Program works to inspire a culture of land stewardship and nature connection through place-based restoration at Vesper Meadow. Vesper Meadow’s Healing Landscapes Program centers local Indigenous youth and families in land access and restoration through culturally centered frameworks, incorporating perspectives of Indigenous worldview where plants, animals, and humans are interdependent relatives.
Healing Landscapes Internship Position - open to students only
Dates: June - September (start/end date flexible), 2024
Must be willing to work some weekend days and be located in the Rogue Valley
Hours: 270 total hours; approximately 15 hours/week
Compensation: $1,275 monthly stipend
Position Overview:
The internship offers a unique opportunity for a student passionate about Indigenous culture, biocultural restoration, and ecological restoration. The intern will engage with land stewardship and restoration activities, including both planning/coordination and hands-on fieldwork, centered in Indigenous worldview and native plant ecology. Intern will gain experience in native plant identification, seed processing and cleaning.
Responsibilities:
Assist with Healing Landscape events to support Native youth, families and community and to promote Indigenous worldview and land stewardship at Vesper Meadow.
Support logistical aspects of event preparation including participant registration, transportation coordination, and volunteer communications.
Facilitate group activities, team-building exercises to promote leadership development, resilience, and connection to the natural world.
Research and implement additional program tools and/or materials to develop the Healing Landscapes program.
Gather native seeds in support of The Understory Initiative’s Seeds of Success Program
Learn sustainable seed collection practices by participating in the Seeds of Success Training program
Process seeds at our seed-cleaning facility so that they may be applied to habitat restoration projects
Document and share the work of land restoration and human/community restoration through Intern’s preferred medium: Photo/video and/or written word
Qualifications:
Strong commitment to Indigenous cultural revitalization, food sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn Indigenous traditions and teachings related to traditional foods, land-based education, and cultural practices.
Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous elders, youth, and community members.
Physically capable of bending, walking on uneven terrain, spending 3-5 hours outdoors, and lifting up to 50 lbs
Fluency with computer applications such as Google workspaces and social media platforms.
Attention to detail in learning plant forms and names, recording data in the field
The Understory Initiative and Vesper Meadow are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities.
Requirements:
Ability to work both remotely and in-person
Access to personal computer for research/communication
Clear a background check and possess a valid driver’s license and form of transportation
Must be a student and must be entering Senior year if in high school.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume and personal statement of goals and aspirations to Stasie Maxwell at stasie@vespermeadow.org. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, May 16th, with interviews scheduled the week of May 20th. Selected candidate for the internship will be notified by Thursday, May 30th.
Preferred Internship start date: June 1st, 2024.