Want to gain experience studying the impacts of fire in Orange County?
About Our Fire Ecology Internship
As fires in California have become more common, they increasingly shape Orange County’s landscapes. We invite you to join Crystal Cove Conservancy, Crystal Cove State Park, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and the University of California, Irvine to study the impacts of fire in Orange County through the 2025-2026 Fire Ecology High School Internship Program!
Throughout the Fire Ecology Internship, high school students will collaborate with land managers to study the impacts of fire on our ecosystems and soil biome. Interns will gain valuable experience in restoration, fire ecology, earth sciences, and land management in open spaces across Orange County. You’ll be able to meet local land managers and learn about real conservation challenges.
This unpaid internship program will run from October 2025 through May 2026. The program will include in-person field days on Saturdays and one-hour virtual Zoom meetings on Wednesdays after school.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025-2026 Fire Ecology Internship have now closed.
2025-2026 Program Dates
| Date | Location | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| October 22, 2025 | Pre-survey & readings available | |
| Saturday, November 1, 2025 | Crystal Cove State Park (orientation) | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, November 15, 2025 | Irvine Ranch Conservancy | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, December 6, 2025 | UCI Lab | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Saturday, February 7, 2026 | Crystal Cove State Park | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, February 7, 2026 | UCI Lab | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, February 21, 2026 | Irvine Ranch Conservancy | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, February 21, 2026 | UCI Lab | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, March 7, 2026 | Irvine Ranch Conservancy | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, March 7, 2026 | UCI Lab | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, March 21, 2026 | Crystal Cove State Park | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Saturday, March 21, 2026 | UCI Lab | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
| Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | Zoom | 5:00 pm-6:00 pm |
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 | Crystal Cove State Park | 9:00 am-12:30 pm |
We’d like to thank Edison International, California State Parks Foundation, Crystal Cove State Park, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and the University of California Irvine for their support. We couldn’t make this internship happen without their help.
Saturday dates are subject to change due to inclement weather.