Days and Times: Friday - Sunday 9am-5pm (flexible days as well)

Season: Spring 2025

Hours Per Week: 10-20 hours per week

Pay: No compensation for internship

Apply to: meagan@westcave.org with cover letter and resume

Description:

The Education Internship is for those interested in a "hands-on" experience in interpretation and education practices about the natural world at Westcave Preserve. This internship provides the perfect opportunity to build one's skills in interpretation of sustainable land management, native species identification, and working with the public to make nature accessible for all.

Education will serve as trail guides for Preserve visitors. On the 1 ½ hour tours, interns will lead groups from an arid grassland, through a limestone crevice, into a cool, sheltered canyon to view the Preserve’s magnificent waterfall, grotto and cave. During the tour, interns will provide information on the Preserve’s natural history, geology and biology. Interns will also assist with special family programs on some weekends, work the Environmental Learning Center desk between tours and other assigned tasks to support the Preserve. Education interns may assist with school programs by leading guided tours for visiting schools. Training will be provided for all internship positions. When not leading tours, interns will also support the welcome desk, sell Westcave merchandise, interact with a diverse group of volunteers, clean and maintain Westcave’s public restrooms and Environmental Learning Center, as well as other assigned tasks to support the operations of the Preserve.

Westcave Preserve, located on the Pedernales River in southwest Travis County, is considered by many naturalists to be the crown jewel of the Texas Hill Country. This 76-acre nature preserve has an environmentally rich canyon with a spectacular 40-foot waterfall tumbling over fern-covered travertine columns into an emerald pool. (see www.westcave.org) Westcave’s mission is to inspire people to develop a lifelong practice of enjoying and protecting nature. Westcave provides weekday environmental education programs and tours to more than 3,500 children annually. An additional 6,000 visitors participate in weekend or evening programs.

Desired Qualities:

A creative team-player with a curiosity and interest in the natural world with a willingness to work with the public and youth from all backgrounds. Demonstrates a commitment to the outdoors and equity. Excellent work ethic. Reliable transportation. Ability to work outside and hike 1 mile.

Description:

The Conservation Internship is for those interested in a "hands-on" experience in conservation and land management at Westcave Preserve. This internship provides the perfect opportunity to build one's skills in sustainable land management, native species identification, and scientifically based data collection using geospatial and/or field research methods.

The candidate will have the opportunity to participate in several of the following seasonal research projects: endangered species surveys, citizen-science programs such as, dragonfly migration monitoring, NestWatch, FeederWatch, FrogWatch, water quality testing, etc. Routine duties of the internship will include but are not limited to, assisting with general land management activities, trail maintenance, bird blind maintenance, creating educational materials, non-native vegetation removal, boundary surveys, and occasionally interacting with visitors on the preserve. Candidate must be able to work outside in inclement conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.

Location:

Westcave Preserve

24814 Hamilton Pool Road

Round Mountain, TX 78663

Schedule/hours:

Flexible

Pay:

No compensation for internship

Apply to:

amber@westcave.org , jered@westcave.org , and kirstin@westcave.org with cover letter and resume