Summer is in full swing in the northern hemisphere, which for many people means getting outdoors. If you find yourself among trees and friendly forest animals this weekend, take a second to appreciate the effort needed to sustain a healthy ecosystem. There are around 10,000 organizations on Idealist that work with the environment, and they do everything from plant new trees to protect chimpanzees, and they could all use some help!
Jobs
- Have a love of the outdoors and an MBA? Check out the Business Director position recently posted by the Southwest Conservation Corps in Durango, Colorado. Or take that business experience north to the Yellowstone Association in Montana and apply to be their new Director of Finance and Administration.
- If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and have an urge to conserve, look up the Nature Conservancy or the Ocean Conservancy. Between them these organizations have 40 active listings.
- The Environmental Defense Fund, which works to preserve clean air, clean water, and healthy food, is looking for a Program Coordinator in Austin, Texas. They also have nine other postings on the site.
- There are plenty of eco-jobs in the Bay Area. Work to promote renewable energy with GRID Alternatives in Oakland or head across the Bay to the San Francisco Parks Alliance and help protect San Francisco’s green places. Ron Swanson would be proud.
Internships
An internship can be a great opportunity for a budding environmentalist to get their feet wet.
- Interested in promoting renewable energy?Green Empowerment in Portland, Oregon focuses on communities in developing countries while LifeCity in New Orleans supports Louisiana-based organizations that want to become greener. They both have internships available.
- Educating people about the environment is often the first step in encouraging sustainability. In North Carolina, A Growing Culture needs an intern to help promote sustainable agriculture, while the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah could use some help in their fight against the proliferation of nuclear waste.
- Prefer to get your hands dirty? EarthCorps in the Seattle area trains young adults to become environmental leaders and they’re looking for an intern to start in January. On the East Coast, Casey Trees has two internships available for people that really identify with how this guy feels.
Volunteer opportunities
Of course, not everyone is in the market for a full-time job or an internship. Thankfully, Idealist has thousands of volunteer opportunities available.
- You could research solar cooking in Maryland, become an Energy Master in Arlington, or help the Rainforest Alliance plan their annual gala. If the title “Energy Master” is too intimidating, consider the tried and true volunteer tradition of planting trees.
- Feel infused with eco-zeal but don’t live in the United States? Not to worry! Idealist has listing across the world, including eight volunteer postings by What’s Your Impact in Montreal, several opportunities in Peru, and a chance to work in the rainforest in Belize.
So apply for a job, test the waters with an internship, or help out as a volunteer. No matter what you do, any action to help the environment is one good step forward.
