Conservation Intern

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Conservation Intern to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary:
Are you passionate about conserving some of Manitoba’s most important natural spaces? Do you want to have a positive, lasting impact on nature? Are you looking for a well-rounded position to kick-start your conservation career with hands-on experience? We want to hear from you!

NCC is looking for a enthusiastic people to join the Manitoba team as Conservation Stewardship Interns. These positions play an integral role in delivering NCC’s conservation work throughout southern Manitoba. This position joins NCC in Manitoba’s Next Generation of Conservation Leaders (NGCL) Program that is designed to support aspiring early-career professionals. NGCL Program participants benefit from a diverse work experience with contribution and exposure to several business departments, onboarding and training that includes work planning and goal setting, performance feedback and career guidance from their supervisors and colleagues and becoming part of the NCC team that is well supported to ensure safe work habits and environments.
Conservation Stewardship Interns will work as a wide-ranging team that contributes to NCC’s work
in Manitoba by assisting with land stewardship, monitoring, and management activities, field data collection, and data management within NCC’s internal databases.

Positions involve frequent overnight travel and collaboration with team members. They are primarily field-based and may include interactions with landowners, NCC staff, volunteers, and partner organizations. While the positions are based in Winnipeg or Brandon, candidates must be able to travel throughout southern Manitoba. Occasional weekend or holiday work may be necessary. Vehicle rental and travel expenses will be covered.

Position Requirements (positions may include all or a subset of the following depending on funding):
Complete land stewardship activities as guided by NCC’s Natural Area Conservation and Property Management Plans including:
•Assists with habitat restoration (planting, watering, maintenance of tree planting sites, seed collection, site preparation, weed management);
•Monitor and control invasive plant species;
•Livestock and grassland management activities including installation and maintenance of fencing, setup and relocation of remote watering systems, and other grazing infrastructure;
•Installation of signage, property clean-up, property inspections, vehicle maintenance; and other similar stewardship activities;
•Data collection and mapping as part of ongoing ecological monitoring;
•Prepare reports for fieldwork and land management recommendations;
•Complete data entry in NCC’s Land Resource Manager Information System and GIS databases;
Photograph features as part of standardized documentation processes or for use in media;
•Author/produce at least one media piece that summarizes your NCC staff experience or features a conservation topic for use on NCC’s media platforms;
•Support community relations via design, construction, and participation on a Canada Day parade float and participation in St. Lazare Pioneer Days.
•Assists with the coordination and delivery of Conservation Volunteer events;
•Join NCC Manitoba’s Prescribed Fire Crew with associated tasks including:
•Complete training and participate in prescribed fire activities as part of a prescribed fire crew;
•Perform burn unit and fire guard preparations, including brush mowing, tree cutting, chainsaw work, raking, handline construction, etc.
Operate fire equipment during prescribed burns including ignition devices, 4WD trucks, ATV’s, UTV’s, portable pumps, pump engines, port-a-tanks, tractors, backpack blowers, brush cutters, chainsaws, hand tools, computer tablets, GPS units (Prior to these activities, members will receive associated equipment training and prescribed fire training to Type II level);
•Maintain fire program equipment and tools;
•Complete fire effects documentation, and mapping;
•Follow safety policies specified for work activities;
•Other duties as assigned by Director of Conservation.