Experiential learning opportunities are key when investigating careers in environmental studies, whether internships, job shadows, or informational interviews. Below is a list of locations where St. Olaf students have completed environmental experiential learning activities since 2000. Use this list to get started and to spark your creativity – there are numerous organizations not mentioned here that may also offer opportunities!
Organizations where Oles have interned in the past
General Search Resources
Return to Experiential Learning Opportunities by Major >>
Categories of organizations include:
- Community-based Organizations
- International Environmental Organizations
- Nature Centers & Zoos
- State & Federal Agencies
Organizations where Oles have interned in the past
Community-based Organizations
- Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University – Located in Tempe, AZ.
- Cannon River Watershed Partnership – Local environmental program.
- Cemstone – Environmentally sustainable concrete company in Mendota Heights, MN.
- Clean Wisconsin – Environmental advocacy group located in Madison, WI.
- Eastvold Custom Woodworks – Independent company in St. Paul, MN.
- Foresight Design Initiative – Organization in Chicago, IL that takes action and fosters dialog on sustainable innovation.
- Northfield Center for Sustainable Living (CSL) – Non-profit organization.
- Northern Tier National High Adventure Base – Boy Scouts of America’s organization located in the Great Northwoods
- Ocean Mammal Institute – Non-profit research organization in Pennsylvania.
- Organically Grown Company – Organic agriculture organization on West coast.
- ReNew Northfield – Ecologically-friendly construction company.
- Simple Harvest Farm Organics – Sustainable and local harvesting hands-on opportunities.
- SEEDS Farm and Northfield Area Learning Center – Local YMCA agriculture organization
- Steele County Environmental Services – Environmental office in Owatonna, MN.
- St. Dominic Elementary School – Northfield school environmental studies opportunities.
- STOGROW – Student run community initiative at St. Olaf.
- Theater of the Sea – Marine animal park located in Islamorada, Florida.
- Transit for Livable Communities – Non-profit transportation organization in St. Paul, MN.
- Washington Environmental Council – Activist organization in Seattle, WA.
International Environmental Organizations
- Aramark Sports and Entertainment – Delivers a wide range of innovative solutions to more than 150 premier sports facilities
- Asian Rural Institute – Training center for rural community leaders in Northern Japan.
- Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute (AUT) – Located in New Zealand.
- Finca La Anita Rainforest Ranch – Environmental internship on a Costa Rican ranch
- Fundacion Brethren y Unida (FBU) – Non-profit Ecuadorian NGO.
- La Anita Rainforest Ranch – Educational eco-tourist resort located in Costa Rica.
- Peace Coffee – Organic coffee company based in Minneapolis, MN.
- Planet Drum Foundation – Internships located in San Fransisco, CA and Ecuador.
- Roots and Shoots – Global environmental program with programs in hundreds of countries.
- Yanapuma Foundation – Sustainable Development internships in Ecuador
Nature Centers & Zoos
- Dodge Nature Center – Located in West Saint Paul, MN.
- Minnesota Zoo – Zoological internships in Apple Valley, MN.
- River Bend Nature Center – Educational & leisure nature center located in Faribault, MN.
- St. Olaf Natural Lands – 700 acres of campus natural lands.
- Three Rivers Park District – Natural resources park system in suburban Minneapolis, including Lowry Nature Center and Gale Woods Farm.
- Wildlife Science Center – Includes both wildlife management and education programs in Forest Lake, MN.
- Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center – Located in Finland, MN.
State & Federal Agencies
- Department of Natural Resources – Variety of internships in each state’s department.
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Pollution control issues in St. Paul, MN; formally Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
- National Institute of Environmental Health Studies – Health Institute in North Carolina.
- National Park Service – Choose from dozens of National Parks across the U.S.
- University of Minnesota Extension Service – Locations across MN on environment topics.
- U.S. Forest Service – Manages public lands in national forests and grasslands.
- US Environmental Protection Agency – Governmental agency concerned with the American environment
General Search Resources
Internship Postings
Where To Look- Piper Center Internship Search Resources
Specific Internship Postings
- Environmental Careers Opportunities
- SustainableBusiness.com
- Treehugger.com
- Ecological Society of America
- National Council for Science and the Environment
- Idealist.org internships
Professional Organizations
These organizations provide information, networking, and additional training opportunities and may offer student memberships at a discount.
- Association for Environmental Health and Sciences
- American Water Resources Association
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- Solar Energy International
- American Wind Energy Association
- Society of Environmental Journalists
- Tips from Alumni in Environmental Careers
Links which provide additional information beyond internships in the following areas.