WWF Overview
For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As one of the worldโs leading conservation organizations, WWF works in more than 100 countries, connecting cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field โ with one million members in the United States and five million supporters globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.
At WWF, we are working to create an organization where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combine to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible, bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.
Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.
BRIDGE is WWFโs summer internship program. Launched in 2021, it is a paid internship opportunity aimed at a pool of talented undergraduate and graduate students who could bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental sector. In particular, WWF aims to employ interns who have not previously had a breadth of professional experience and have not previously considered conservation as a career pathway.
Position Summary
The Basin Planning Intern will work with country offices across the WWF network to improve understanding of river basin priorities and develop or document conservation plans for eight Freshwater Team priority river basins. These plans will include a description of river basin challenges, current and planned programs, climate resilience priorities, available hydrological models and assessments (related to โScience Based Targets for Nature readinessโ), etc. Additional projects could include further research into network freshwater priorities and programs, systems analysis in 1-2 select basins to explore potential for collective action between private, public and civil society stakeholders, and development of corporate partnership assets.
Responsibilities
Internship Description
Interview and partner with WWF country offices to gather basin priorities and conservation plan information. Conduct additional research on assessments, available hydrological models and stakeholders in priority basins. Identify private sector actors that operate or source from priority basins. Potentially conduct systems analysis in 1-2 basins on their readiness for collective action and develop corporate partnership assets.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Pursuing an associateโs or bachelorโs program in Environmental Science, Water Resource Management, Corporate Sustainability, Sociology, Social Sciences, Business, International Relations, Communications. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. Must be an actively enrolled student and not received degree at time of internship start date (June 16, 2025). Knowledge of conservation and water issues. Quantitative skills related to metrics and models. Knowledge of integrated watershed management, stakeholder collaboration models and/or systems thinking tools. Knowledge of corporate sustainability. Experience conducting informational interviews or database development Identifies and aligns with WWFโs core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.