Volunteer Student Intern (non-paid), Natural Resource Management

Open until filled.

Valley Forge National Historical Park (VAFO) is home to over 1,300 species of vascular plants and vertebrates, contains a variety of vegetation communities (e.g., forest, meadows, wetlands), and includes significant water resources (e.g., Schuylkill River, Valley Creek). Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (HOFU), a smaller national park central to the Hopewell Big Woods, is also managed by VAFO natural resource staff and opportunities to participate in conservation projects at HOFU may also be available. The purpose of this internship is to provide college-level students with a practical experience in natural resource management that affords the opportunity to apply classroom theory through a “hands-on” experience with the National Park Service. At the same time interns will contribute to the collection of data and implementation of projects that benefit park resources and will assist park managers in achieving management goals.

Specific internship activities may vary from year to year, depending on park needs and priorities. In 2025, duties will include:

Non-native Species Management (35%). Interns will: (1) Work with park staff to control invasive, non-native plant species within the parks; (2) Map the distribution of high priority invasive plants and treatment areas inside the parks; (3) Remove the non-native, invasive Rusty Crayfish from Valley Creek using nets; (4) Complete data collection, data entry, and implement quality assurance/quality control procedures for conservation projects; (5) Work closely with volunteers and/or summer high school crews on projects to remove non-native plants and animals; Interns may (1) Work with partners to control non-native, invasive plants on lands outside park boundaries;  (2) work with the NPS-Exotic Plant Management Team. These activities will primarily involve manual control methods (e.g., mowing, hand pulling, cutting) requiring the use of hand tools (mechanized and non-mechanized). Opportunity to learn and participate in the safe application of chemical herbicides may be offered in specialized circumstances and according to regulations.

Independent Project (30%). Interns will work with Natural Resource staff to develop an independent project to be completed during the internship experience. Past projects include assessment of the relative abundance of crayfish species in Valley Creek, assessment of tree seedling regeneration in established vegetation monitoring plots, development of curriculum-based lesson plans, and research related to historical meadow management practices in the park. Individual interests will be considered when developing projects however projects will be selected based upon the needs of the parks. This summer, projects may include meadow wildflower inventories, invasive plant inventory, native tree mapping, or acoustic bat surveys. 

Wildlife and Vegetation Management (15%).   Interns will: (1) Locate, assess, and repair protective fencing within forests and along riparian buffers; (2) Install and maintain fencing to protect rare plant populations; (3) Maintain tree shelters; (4) Assist NPS and partner scientists with research being conducted in the parks; and (5) Participate in the maintenance and care of plants in the park greenhouse. Inters may: (1) Map the distribution of high priority plant species; and (2) respond to injured or problematic wildlife.

Trails Management (5%).  Interns may work with park staff and/or partners to maintain

trails both inside the parks and on nearby partner sites, including clearing, mowing, vine

removal, and installation of water management structures such as water bars.

Water Resources (5%).   Interns may: (1) Participate in implementation of conservation

projects (e.g., streambank stabilization, tree plantings) conducted by members of the Valley

Creek Partnership; (2) Assist with the collection of long-term water quality monitoring data;

and (3) Participate in river clean-up days and other organized volunteer events.

Natural Resource Interpretation (5%).   Interns may: (1) Contribute to development of park

informational brochures on natural resources; (2) Assist with development and installation of “on-the-spot” messages for park trails; and (3) Assist with delivery of a variety of natural resource interpretive programs.

Park Planning (5%).   Interns will have the opportunity to attend and participate in a variety of planning efforts related to natural resources (e.g., Valley Creek Partnership meetings, Valley Creek Streambank Stabilization Plan/EA), participate in meetings with resource professionals, and assist with filing, photocopying, and general office organization (limited).