Forest Protection Intern

Save to Favorites

Do you want to learn more about forests and their role in supplying our water and reducing climate change? Would you like first-hand experience with how the state regulates logging and how activists organize to affect change in cities? Where you are a part of a team of energetic passionate people? Where you are growing professionally while making a difference? This is the internship for you! We offer mentorships, trainings,professional development, snacks, and more! We are proud to have one of the best internship programs in the environmental field today.

The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter is a leader in the environmental movement and brings the slogan "thinkglobal, act local" to life in the Silicon Valley.

If forests are managed to encourage their natural processes they are best able to provide for our needs for water and climate stabilization. 75% of our water comes from forested areas, and 20% of the carbon dioxide was sequestered and stored by forests in 2006 according to the EPA. The problem is some forestry companies practice aggressive logging method known as clearcutting in which all trees are removed, the soil is ripped, and herbicide applied.

The Governor and the state legislature have the power to stop clearcutting. However, deep-pocketed timber companies have their ear. We need to demonstrate to our state officials that the people want California forested land treated well.

The Loma Prieta Chapter’s Forest Protection Committee is working with the Stop Clearcutting California Campaign to convince our state officials that the public would like to see an end to clearcutting in California by passing resolutions to ban clearcutting in cities throughout the state. So far resolutions have been passed in Menlo Park, Daly City, Monte Sereno, San Francisco, Davis, and Berkeley. Sunnyvale has put a ban on clearcutting on their list of legislation that they would like to see happen, and Saratoga wrote a letter to the Governor. The campaign would like to pass resolutions in 20 more cities in California.

Would you like to help be part of this important change?

An ideal candidate...

• Has or is pursuing an Environmental Studies Bachelors or Masters Degree or has equivalent experience.
• Available to come to our office in Palo Alto for 4-6 months at least 8-12 hours a week, Monday-Friday, during
• business hours (some work can be done out of the office)
• Available on the 3rd Monday of the month for Forest Protection Committee meetings in Palo Alto
• Available for occasional evening city council meetings
• Passion for sustainability and commitment to Sierra Club goals
• Experience in campaign planning or community organizing

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Forest Protection Committee’s efforts to pass resolutions to ban clearcutting in chapter cities.
• Help to recruit and engage new volunteers to help pass city resolutions.
• Support new and existing volunteers to pass city resolutions.
• Help choose which cities to focus on next.
• Help arrange meetings between volunteers and city council members.
• Organize volunteer turnout to city council meeting where resolution will be considered and attend meeting.
• Write press release and organize press conferences to Work with existing volunteers to pass city resolutions.

The Sierra Club offers a friendly, fast-paced work environment with highly motivated volunteers focused on making positive change in the world. Send resume and cover letter to john.cordes@sierralub.org

Wondering if this is the right internship program for you? Check out this article: "Chapter Interns Give a Lot, Get a Lot" - www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/loma-prietan/story/chapter-interns-give-lot-get-lot/3201