Annual Fire Ecology Internship Studies Fire to Protect the Future
CRYSTAL COVE, CALIFORNIA — AUGUST 15, 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. Each year, in partnership with California State Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and the University of California, Irvine, the nonprofit hosts its annual Fire Ecology Internship—one of the few programs in the region giving high school students the chance to dig deep into the science of fire and its impact on our landscapes.
Over several months, students work alongside scientists and land managers to explore how wildfires shape local ecosystems—from vegetation regrowth and wildlife habitats to the hidden world beneath our feet: soil microbes. As part of this work, interns collect data at multiple burn sites across Orange County and analyze soil samples in the lab to understand how fire frequency affects microbe communities, with findings that can help guide future land management.
The internship blends scientific discovery with career exploration, giving participants a rare opportunity to branch out into real-world research while learning how climate change and human activity affect fire patterns. Students also connect with professionals in natural resource management, gaining insight into the many career pathways that help keep our wildlands thriving.
The program culminates in a public presentation, where interns share their findings and recommendations with program partners, land managers, and community members—proving that even small sparks of knowledge can grow into lasting change.
For Crystal Cove Conservancy, the Fire Ecology Internship is just one way the organization keeps its mission burning bright: protecting Crystal Cove’s natural, cultural, and historic resources while providing innovative STEM education opportunities for students across Southern California.
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.