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
WWF is working to protect critical freshwater ecosystems and strengthen good water governance in shared river basins. As part of these efforts, WWF works in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo binational basin to restore river flows and build a climate resilient water system that supports thriving communities and ecosystems, by restoring degraded ecosystems, optimizing available water, promoting water resilient farming and developing sound science and policy to inform decision making. The Rio Grande Projects Coordination and GIS Support intern will provide technical support to the Freshwater Rio Grande Teamโs current portfolio of conservation and research projects including:
Implementation of the Middle Rio Grande Riparian Nature-Based Solutions Prioritization Project supported by the USBR-WaterSmart Program Development of a Rio Grande/Rio Bravo basin-wide water accounting, Story Map and GIS online mapping tool Implementation of the Middle Rio Grande Farmer Survey and assessment of multi-benefit agricultural water conservation strategies Assessment of consumption and production of alfalfa in the US portion of the Rio Grande basin. Application of foundational science to advance and scale basin-wide Corporate Collective Action
The intern will package the results into a final product and have the opportunity to present their findings.
Responsibilities
Internship Description:
Compile, organize and manage databases and geospatial data related to the different components of the water budget, agricultural lands, main crops, riparian vegetation, infrastructure, etc. Develop reference maps and charts for a Story Map. Develop a GIS project and analysis of alfalfa consumption and production. Support coordination of meetings with project partners and stakeholders for the multiple WWF Rio Grande Projects listed in the description. Provide technical input in the development of riparian restoration and agricultural conservation strategies. Support WWF to expand its efforts to engage with the farming community in the Rio Grande in New Mexico.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Pursuing a graduate program in conservation, water resources, hydrology, environmental sciences, geospatial planning, stakeholder engagement, agricultural and water policy. 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). Excellent research skills. Attention to detail. Organized and self-motivated. Strong written and verbal communication skills.