Experiential Learning Opportunities in Environmental Studies
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!
Categories include:
- Nature Centers & Zoos
- Community-based Organizations
- State & Federal Agencies
- International Environmental Organizations
Want to download a Word version of this list? Click here.
- 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.
- 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.
- Leaders for Social Change Summer Internship Program – Civic engagement program located in Northfield, MN.
- Northfield Center for Sustainable Living (CSL) – Non-profit organization.
- Ocean Mammal Institute – Non-profit research organization in Pennsylvania.
- Organically Grown Company – Organic agriculture organization on West coast.
- ReNew Northfield – Ecologically-friendly construction company.
- Steele County Environmental Services – Environmental office in Owatonna, MN.
- 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.
- Department of Natural Resources – Variety of internships in each state's department.
- Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance – Pollution control issues in St. Paul, MN.
- 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.
International Environmental Organizations
- Asian Rural Institute Training center for rural community leaders in Northern Japan.
- Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute (AUT) – Located in New Zealand.
- Free The Planet – Environmental internships located across the nation.
- 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.
