Conservation Connect Fellow

Each year the National Forest Foundation (NFF) hosts a small group of exceptional graduate students pursuing advanced studies in conservation, natural resources management, and related fields. The goal of the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program is to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites master’s and doctoral students to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. Fellowships pair the knowledge you are acquiring through your academic work with practical, hands-on experience and contribute directly to collaborative stewardship of our National Forests. 

Here’s what you will gain by being a Conservation Connect Fellow: 

• Applied experience with a national leader in conservation through a hands-on practicum project. 
• Mentorship from skilled conservation professionals from the NFF and its partners, including the USDA Forest Service. 
• Trainings to foster collaborative leadership skills. Learning topics include facilitation, stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and working with diverse partners. Fellows also have the opportunity to engage in organization-wide trainings. 
• Real-world understanding of forest and public lands management. 
• An expanded personal and professional network. 

Fellowships include a summer 2025 or academic year 2025-2026 practicum, or some combination of the two, and may be at a specific location or virtual depending on the project. Fellows will be compensated at a rate of $20/hour for up to 300 hours over the one-year fellowship.  

The NFF will accept applications through February 2, 2025. Please see the Conservation Connect Fellows webpage for more information, including 2025 project descriptions. 

The National Forest Foundation welcomes a diverse pool of applicants and maintains a policy of nondiscrimination.

Practicum (at least 245 hours)

The NFF will interview candidates and strive to match selected fellows with one of their preferred projects, as indicated in the application. Practicum work will take place over the summer and/or the academic year, with specific dates to be determined individually. The summer practicum schedule will require the fellow to complete their 245 hours over eight to ten weeks during the summer of 2025. The academic year practicum is the same number of hours spread over a longer timeframe. As part of their practicum, fellows may spend a portion of their time (up to 20%) performing tasks associated with nonprofit administration, such as meeting agenda development, notetaking, or organizational support. 

Professional Development and Networking (estimated 55 hours)

• Fellows Retreat: The NFF will host a paid, in-person retreat June 8-12, 2025, near North Bend, Washington. The retreat will provide an orientation to various topics, including collaboration, best practices for neutral facilitation, NFF’s approach to engaging community interests, working with the Forest Service, and more. This is also an opportunity for fellows to get to know one another, meet NFF staff and partners, and participate in a field trip. 
• Peer Networking and Trainings: Fellows are asked to participate in monthly virtual meetings where the NFF offers trainings and supports fellows as a group to discuss issues that arise, share accomplishments, and solicit feedback from both their peers and NFF.
• All-Staff Opportunities: Fellows are invited and encouraged to attend NFF trainings and events, such as those hosted by the NFF's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Shared Learning working group. Previous opportunities have included guest lectures by Dr. Cristina Eisenberg and Dr. Brinda Sarathy as well as workshops from Seventh Sovereign.

Mentor Support

The NFF will match each fellow with a mentor from the NFF who functions as the practicum supervisor. Fellows and mentors will schedule regular meetings to talk through questions and ideas as they connect their practicum work to the theories and methods they are studying in their graduate programs. 

Evaluation

Fellows are required to participate in a post-fellowship evaluation process conducted by NFF. NFF will collect feedback and metrics on fellows’ experiences and accomplishments throughout the 12-month period. 

Fellowship Award

Fellows will be hired as temporary, part-time employees and compensated at a rate of $20/hour for their time (with no benefits offered). Fellows will be reimbursed for approved travel expenses associated with participation in the fellowship program and practicum, including the in-person retreat in June. 

Eligibility

Graduate students pursuing a master's degree or doctorate are eligible for the Conservation Connect Fellowship. We anticipate students will have taken coursework related to the study of natural resources, conflict resolution, collaboration, non-profit management, communications, or other fields related to the specific practicum. Fellows must be enrolled in a graduate program during the 2025-26 academic year.

Application Materials

Please click the green button below to apply. The Conservation Connect Fellowship application includes the following components:

Step 1: Cover Letter & Résumé. In one page, describe in a compelling narrative your interest in being a Conservation Connect Fellow and how your studies and career plans fit the intent of the fellowship. Please also upload a résumé of academic and professional experience. 

Step 2: Additional Question & Practicum Selection. You will have the opportunity to address the following questions, in 1,000 characters or less per question.

1. What life experiences have led you to choose your current field of study?
2. What is the focus of your graduate degree and how would a Conservation Connect Fellowship complement your studies?
3. How would this fellowship support your professional development and career goals?

You will also be asked to select your top 3 projects (see 2025 project descriptions).

https://www.nationalforests.org/assets/pdfs/2025-Fellowship-Project-Descriptions.pdf

Step 3: OPTIONAL equal employment opportunity reporting questions. Please note that your responses to these questions, including blank responses, will NOT impact the status of your application.

Step 4 (completed separately): Letter of Recommendation. The fellowship application requires one letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the student’s academic program. The letter must address the merits of the applicant and their fit for this fellowship. The NFF requests the letter writer email a signed copy of their letter directly to conservationconnect@nationalforests.org by February 2, 2025, with FELLOWSHIP and the applicant’s name in the subject line. 

Questions? Contact Jane Mandala, Conservation Connect Coordinator, at jmandala@nationalforests.org or 406-830-4795.