As part of their training for the green workforce, fellowship students complete a summer internship in the field of restoration. Some of the previous internship placements include working with UVM Natural Areas, Mad River Valley, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Audubon Vermont, and Vermont Land Trust.
Reflections from a previous fellow on his summer internship:
"During the summer I worked in the Mad River Valley for their town's conservations commissions (Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston) to physically remove Japanese Knotweed from roadsides and along waterways alongside 7 other Rubenstein interns.
REC prepared me for this experience because the fellowship helped foster an interest in working with landscapes in a manner that seeks to improve the health of ecosystems. REC also helped me to understand the nuances of landscape restoration and the necessity of using adaptive management practices to effectively respond to changing environmental conditions.
I was surprised to learn how resilient knotweed is and how interpersonal relationships between myself, fellow interns, and community members are essential for both effective management practices and organizational function.
I feel as though this internship and my time with REC helped me to better understand how "restoring" an ecosystem isn't only about considering ecological factors but that social and cultural dimensions of this work are integral considerations if our species is truly to live within the carrying capacity of our planet." - Jack Locker, 2022-23 cohort
"During the summer I worked in the Mad River Valley for their town's conservations commissions (Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston) to physically remove Japanese Knotweed from roadsides and along waterways alongside 7 other Rubenstein interns.
REC prepared me for this experience because the fellowship helped foster an interest in working with landscapes in a manner that seeks to improve the health of ecosystems. REC also helped me to understand the nuances of landscape restoration and the necessity of using adaptive management practices to effectively respond to changing environmental conditions.
I was surprised to learn how resilient knotweed is and how interpersonal relationships between myself, fellow interns, and community members are essential for both effective management practices and organizational function.
I feel as though this internship and my time with REC helped me to better understand how "restoring" an ecosystem isn't only about considering ecological factors but that social and cultural dimensions of this work are integral considerations if our species is truly to live within the carrying capacity of our planet." - Jack Locker, 2022-23 cohort