Applications Open for Annual Fire Ecology Internship: Training the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
(Photo Credit: Crystal Cove Conservancy)
CRYSTAL COVE, CALIFORNIA — August 22, 2025
As wildfire frequency and intensity continue to rise across Southern California, Crystal Cove Conservancy is helping the next generation meet the challenge head-on. In partnership with California State Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and the University of California, Irvine, The Conservancy is now accepting applications for its annual Fire Ecology High School Internship Program for the 2025–2026 school year.
Learn more here (https://crystalcove.org/fire-ecology-high-school-internship/).
The Fire Ecology Internship is one of the few programs in the region that offers high school students the opportunity to dig deep into the science of fire and its lasting impact on Orange County’s landscapes. Throughout the program, students work alongside scientists and land managers to study how wildfires shape ecosystems—from vegetation regrowth and wildlife habitats to the hidden world beneath our feet: soil microbes. Interns collect data at multiple burn sites across Orange County, analyze soil samples in the lab, and explore how fire frequency affects microbe communities.
The program is especially suited for students interested in pursuing careers in environmental science or environmental policy, offering them the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world challenges. Beyond scientific discovery, the program also offers career exploration. Students connect with professionals in land and resource management, gaining insight into career pathways that contribute to the protection of Southern California’s wildlands. The program culminates in a public presentation where interns share their findings and recommendations with community members and conservation partners—proving that youth led innovation can spark lasting change.
Program Details:
- Who Can Apply: 9th–12th grade students attending high school in Orange County
- Program Dates: October 2025 – May 2026
- Format: In-person Saturday field days and weekly Wednesday after-school Zoom sessions
- Application Deadline: Sunday, September 14, 2025
- Unpaid Internship
- Applications can be submitted online here. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1HwpwgzNoAaJlnXRWy6r9pbLcgXYEKT8iw4OtLBjImr1plw/viewform)
For more information, contact brent@crystalcove.org.
###
About Crystal Cove Conservancy
Crystal Cove Conservancy is the nonprofit partner to Crystal Cove State Park, dedicated to protecting its historic, cultural, and natural resources. Through innovative STEM education programs, conservation initiatives, and community engagement, The Conservancy works to ensure that Crystal Cove remains a place of inspiration, learning, and preservation for generations to come.