By Brita Belli
When the Environmental
Careers Organization (ECO) closed shop last April after accusations that it had
misused government funds, students trying to get real-world experience were
left wondering where to turn. Over 35 years, ECO had placed 11,000 young people
in professional environmental fields, many of them paid internships within
government agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park
Service and the U.S. Forest Service. As the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston
investigated the nonprofit for keeping $1.8 million in surplus funds over eight
or nine years, ECO was forced into a legal battle it couldn’t afford and
declared bankruptcy. Some 200 ECO interns scheduled to begin work last summer
had to find other employment. With all the student interest in environmental
issues and careers, the timing couldn’t have been worse. But other
organizations are filling ECO’s pioneering role, providing students and recent
graduates with the experience needed to become environmental leaders.
Environmental Leadership Program (Washington, D.C., 202-332-3320, ELP): A nonprofit organization offering
training, mentoring and fellowships to environmental activists and
professionals. Each year, the ELP Fellowship is awarded to 20-25 individuals
engaged in environmental and social change.
Green Corps (Boston, Massachusetts, 617-426-8506, Green Corps): Training young people in the
skills and strategies of grassroots environmental organizing. Offers a
one-year, full-time paid Environmental Leadership Training Program that
includes classroom training, field experience with environmental and public
health campaigns and career placement.
The National Council for Science and the Environment (Washington, D.C., 202-530-5810, NCSE): Offers three- to six-month
internships for students and recent graduates with a $1,400 per month stipend
assisting in outreach to the academic, governmental, business and civil society
communities. Interns are encouraged to attend events and meetings in
Washington, some on Capitol Hill. In addition, NCSE’s Campus-to-Careers program
draws on a network of affiliated universities and communities to connect young
environment professionals with field, lab and office work.
Student Conservation Association (Charlestown, New Hampshire,
603-543-1700, SCA): A nonprofit offering
conservation internships to more than 3,000 people each year, including high
school and college students. SCA’s mission is protecting and preserving
America’s public lands. Conservation internships for those 18 and older are
available in all 50 states. Students in the Conservation Corps spend three to
10 months living and working with others on environmentally themed projects. In
both cases, expenses are paid.