Organization Details
Forest Solutions provides a wide range of land management services. These include traditional forest management, long-term land use planning, adaptive weed management, and culturally appropriate land stewardship as well as long term financial analysis for forestry.
Opportunity Details
About the Program:
Forest Solutions is excited to offer a full-time, paid internship for high school and college students interested in ecology, natural resources, and conservation. This 7-8 week vegetation monitoring program will primarily take place near Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, running from June 2025 through early August 2025.
Interns will contribute to a long-term forest ecosystem study under the guidance of foresters with expertise in native Hawaiian forests. Participants will gain valuable field experience in ecology, biology, science methodology and leadership. The main activities will include hiking, plant identification, and collecting vegetation measurements, with the opportunity for additional conservation activities such as planting and weed assessments. The experience culminates in an independent project, which interns will present to Kamehameha Schools on the final day of the program. Field sites are located across the island, with a focus on West Hawaiʻi this year.
Qualifications:
Applicants must be comfortable working outdoors in remote forest sites in all weather conditions. Capable of hiking over rough terrain for long distances. Able to camp 3-4 nights per week, if necessary. Participants should be interested in or pursuing a career in Natural Resources or Conservation or just have an enthusiasm for learning about the environment.
Previous experience in the following areas is desirable, but not required, as they will be developed during the internship:
- Hawaiian native and non-native species identification
- Vegetation sampling methodology
- Basic orienteering skills
- Familiarity with Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
- Competence with Microsoft Office (word, excel & access)
- Basic knowledge of and respect for Hawaiian culture and practices