Expanding Conservation Workforce Through Internships

Breakout session Tuesday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m.

The presentation explored the successful partnership between St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) and the National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC). This collaboration has created exclusive internship opportunities that are shaping the future of resource conservation. The session highlighted how strategic partnerships can drive innovation and sustainability in conservation efforts.

Speaker: Cynthia Greb, St. Mary's College of Maryland, Anna Cornelius NARCDC CEO, Dorris Skipper NARCDC Conservation Programs Director, Alexis Carland NARCDC Communications Director

1. Expanding Our Conservation Workforce Through Internships Presented By: St. Mary’s College of Maryland & National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils February 8-12, 2025 NACD’s Annual Conference 2025

2. Strategic Partnerships = Workforce Development Today we will highlight our partnership and its impact on conservation efforts and student opportunities

3. Meet Our Speakers Cindy Greb Executive Director Center for Career & Professional Development St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Alexis Garland Communications Director National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC) Anna Cornelius Chief Operating Officer National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC) Dorris Skipper Conservation Program Director National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC)

4. The National Public Honors College St. Mary’s City, Maryland St. Mary’s College of Maryland

5. 10:1 Student to Faculty Ratio 98% Faculty Hold Highest Attainable Degree TOP 5 Public liberal arts colleges in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2024) Academics 62 Degree Programs 24 29 Majors Minors Link to video: St. Mary's College of Maryland The National Public Honors College Official designation as a PUBLIC HONORS COLLEGE one of only two nationally Enrollment: 1,646 Students (Fall 2024)

6. SMCM Honors College Promise WE GUARANTEE every student the opportunity to engage in research, internships, and/or international experiences. This promise is part of our Learning through Experiential and Applied Discovery (LEAD) program - which embeds professional development and experiential learning into the required curriculum.

7. CORE-P 102 Career & Network Navigation II CORE-P 101 Career & Network Navigation I Grad School PREPARE APPLY PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS CORE-P 201 Honors College Externship Internship Launch Career! LEAD 111 LEAD 112 LEAD 211 Career & Network Navigation for Transfer Students LEAD 311

8. SMCM Internships Signature Honors Internship Program (SHIP)

9. Signature Honors Internship Program (SHIP) Practical Experience Skills Development Career Exploration Networking Increased Employability Personal Growth Cost-Effective Recruitment Workforce Development

10. Career Readiness Competencies National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Researched what employers need & want Identified 8 career readiness competencies & established criteria for internships Every internship meets or exceeds NACE internship criteria Career & Self Development Communication Critical Thinking Equity & Inclusion Leadership Professionalism Teamwork Technology

11. Typical Internship Structure Academic Semester: On-Campus (Paycheck) 15 weeks per semester 6-10 hours per week min wage $15/hr Off-Campus (Stipend) 15 weeks per semester 10-20 hours per week Avg $2,500-4,000 Summer Semester: On-Campus (Paycheck) 10-12 weeks 32-40 hrs per week Min Wage $15/hr Off-Campus (Stipend) 8-10 weeks 32-40 hrs per week Avg $4,000

12. St. Mary’s College of Maryland & National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils Building Strategic & Impactful Partnership

13. NARCDC Anna Cornelius Chief Operating Officer National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC) Dorris Skipper Conservation Program Director National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC) Alexis Garland Communications Director National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC)

14. Role of NARCDC Key Points: Assist RC&D Councils in forming partnerships that enhance the quality of life in American communities Integral to the creation and implementation of resource conservation programs Empower RC&D Councils to provide leadership, education, conservation, and the development of natural and human resources, ultimately improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the communities they serve Critical for the sustainability of natural resources One of the five key partners in the National Conservations Partnership (NCP)

15. Current Conservation Implementation Hands-On Experience: Practical, on-the-ground experience for students Contribution to ongoing initiatives Innovative Solutions: Fresh perspectives and new approaches Capacity Building: Enhancing local conservation efforts

16. NARCDC SMCM Summer Sails Partnership Details: NARCDC created 12 exclusive summer internships for SMCM students across the country SMCM provided resources, funding, & student interns through the college’s SHIP Program NARCDC leveraged relationships to provide strong and impactful opportunities for students (and NARCDC partners)

17. Summer ‘24 Internships Alabama Urban Agriculture: Event Planning, Community Gardens, Website and Social Media Management, Youth Engagement, Community Development West Virginia: Grant Writing, Research, Community Gardens, Youth Engagement, Urban Agriculture Pennsylvania: Community Development, Garden Events (Garden to Table), Community Outreach, Youth Summer Program Alabama Non-profit Management: Community Development, Grant Research, Grant Management; Youth Engagement: Conservation Education, Youth Ambassador Program, Social Justice (Unity Starts with You Tour/Hate Ends Now) California: Social Media Management and Community Outreach for an Organization involved in Forestry, Fire Mitigation, Pollinators, Youth Engagement Georgia: Land Conservation, Water Management, Land Management, & Community Development North Carolina: Natural Resource Improvement, Recreation and Tourism, Economic Development, Community Improvement, and Education

18. SMCM Interns in Action! NRCS Tribal Liaison Jessica Ascot

19. Future Conservation Implementation Developing Future Leaders: Cultivating the next generation of conservation leaders Expanding Reach: Increasing impact on national conservation efforts Strengthening Partnerships: Fostering a unified approach to resource management

20. Model For Conservation Partners Replication of Internship Programs: Establish similar partnerships with local colleges and universities Customize internship opportunities to address specific conservation needs Knowledge and Resource Sharing: Share best practices and collaborate on projects Community Engagement: Raise awareness and engage the community

21. Replication of Internship Programs Establish Similar Partnerships: Conservation districts can partner with local colleges and universities to create internship programs that provide students with hands-on experience in conservation projects. Tailored Programs: Customize internship opportunities to address specific conservation needs and challenges within each district.

22. Knowledge and Resource Sharing Best Practices: Share successful strategies and practices from the SMCM-NARCDC partnership with other districts to enhance their conservation efforts. Collaborative Projects: Encourage joint projects between districts to leverage resources and expertise.

23. Community Engagement Public Awareness Campaigns: Use the partnership as a platform to raise awareness about conservation issues and engage the community in local initiatives. Educational Workshops: Organize workshops and seminars for students and community members to learn about conservation practices and the importance of sustainable resource management.

24. Capacity Building & Support Training Programs: Develop skills and knowledge in conservation techniques and project management Mentorship Opportunities: Guidance from experienced professionals Funding and Support: Apply for grants, seek corporate sponsorships, build strategic partnerships & leverage resources

25. Funding & Support Grant Applications: Leverage the success of the partnership to apply for grants and funding to support conservation projects and internship programs. Corporate Sponsorships: Seek sponsorships from businesses and organizations that are committed to environmental sustainability. Build Strategic Partnerships Every district is different - must be area specific to be successful

26. Long-Term Impact Career Pathways: Create clear career pathways for interns to transition into full-time roles within conservation districts, ensuring a steady influx of skilled professionals. Sustainable Practices: Implement sustainable practices learned through the partnership to improve the long-term health and resilience of natural resources.

27. Testimonials

28. Student Testimonial "I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn about the nonprofit world and work with so many important councils across the state of Alabama. I designed and implemented a pollinator habitat following guidelines and criteria established by the USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); instructed field trip groups consisting of K-5th graders in freshwater turtle biodiversity and wetlands in Alabama; and, assisted leading deaf high schoolers in their first wetlands canoe trip, promoting inclusion and access for all. Finally, I shadowed local, state, and national council employees based in Alabama to learn about their missions and current projects, and participated in workshops and meetings designed to grow the council’s partnerships and increase community development.” -Madeleine Phillips ‘26

29. RC&D Testimonial “The real-world scenarios and independent as well as team-based projects allowed the students to apply critical thinking in meaningful ways. The level of professionalism and preparedness they brought to their work was key to their success. We are excited about the prospect of expanding opportunities for future interns at RC&D councils and look forward to continuing this enriching collaboration.” -Anna Cornelius, Chief Operating Officer, National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC)

30. Wrapping Up What questions do you have? Contact information & links

31. Contact Information Dorris Skipper Conservation Programs Director (NARCDC) [email protected] Anna Cornelius Chief Operating Officer (NARCDC) [email protected] Alexis Garland Communications Director (NARCDC) [email protected] Cindy Greb Executive Director (SMCM) [email protected]

32. NARCDC National Conference ‘25 Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA May 18th to May 21st, 2025 NARCDC National Conference 2025 NARCDC National Conference 2025 - Sponsorship Packet

33. Thank you! Link to Presentation